Hulu offers a number of settings and features to improve your streaming experience. Here are eight you need to know.
With over 40 million subscribers, Hulu is one of the most important streaming services, although it is not as present in the world as Netflix, HBO Max or Disney Plus. Hulu offers an interesting catalog of original content, movies and series from major networks, and even a live streaming section.
Netflix offers a lot of more or less hidden settings, but did you know Hulu has a few too? Although the platform is not as intuitive as some of the others, there is room for improvement. What you need to know before diving into settings and tips: depending on the device, not everything works the same, which is a little frustrating.
Use widgets for your smartphone
Android and iPhone users can use Hulu’s customizable widget to suggest suggested content or resume watching with one click. On iOS, press and hold the screen until the + sign appears. Here, get Hulu. There are two widgets “Go back”or “Open”. If you have an Android smartphone, touch an empty space on the screen and click the widget icon. Find Hulu in the search bar and click on the widget you want to use: Continue Watching or New Content.
Add and remove channels
This tip is for the live section and core Hulu subscribers. You can choose your favorite networks and change them as you wish. On the home screen, find the TV tab and scroll down to All TV Networks. Click on a channel. For example, if you like the ABC series, select the icon and Add to My Content. You will now see ABC content on the main page. Do the same with other networks. On the My Content tab, you’ll find all your favorite networks.
Live TV subscribers should do it a little differently. Open the app and click “Hubs”. Scroll to the AZ section to select the channels you want, then click Add to My Content or choose one of the options. To make sure they are selected, go to the Live tab and click My Channels.
To delete channels, find the appropriate icon in My Content and click Delete.
Customize subtitles
Like Netflix, Hulu lets you customize how subtitles are displayed. Font, background and appearance can be changed. Open the app on your TV and navigate to the profile icon. Click “Settings”and open the “Subtitles and captions”menu.
Formatting only works on supported devices with the latest version of Hulu. Some Roku, Android TV, Samsung TV, and Apple TV models do not have this feature. However, if you are viewing from a browser, you can change this right during the game. Click the gear icon, select Subtitles. From the menu, click “Settings”and you can change the font, color, size, and transparency. Click Done when you’ve made your choice.
Use night mode
A very useful feature for your eyes, night mode. The screen background changes from bright white to black to reduce blue light. To activate it, hover over your profile to open the drop-down menu. Activate night mode. This option is only available on computers, but you can cast Hulu from your computer to your Chromecast or Smart TV.
Pause your subscription
Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for a maximum of 12 weeks. To do this, go to your account page, in the subscription column, click “Pause”and select the duration. During this time, you will not be billed, but please note that the break will take effect the day after your next billing. And if you have Disney Plus and/or ESPN Plus with a Hulu subscription, they will be on hiatus too.
If you do not manually reactivate your subscription, your account will be automatically reactivated after the time expires. This date will be the new billing date.
Disable autoplay
If you use Netflix regularly, you may be used to autoplay that starts the next episode or preview. Hulu offers the same, and it can also be turned off.
On TVs and mobile devices, click the profile icon and select Settings. Enable or disable autoplay. If you’re watching Hulu in a web browser, click the gear icon during playback to open settings and turn autoplay on or off.
Clear browsing history
Hulu allows you to clear your browsing history. On the TV, go to the page of the show or movie, click on the gear icon that says Manage Show. You will be asked to confirm that you want to remove the title from your history. Select Remove to remove it from your history and Continue Watching list. The viewing progress will also be deleted for the entire series or movie. Handy if you want to start a streak again.
On mobile or on the web, you need to go through the Keep Watching section on Hulu. Then find the content thumbnail to open the options menu. Click on the cross or Delete from browsing history.
Use your smartphone if you have lost the remote control
If you’ve lost your remote and your TV has a Chromecast or Airplay, install the Hulu app on your smartphone or tablet to cast. The mobile device and the TV must be on the same Wi-i network. Then open the app on your device, select content to watch and click Airplay or Cast. Then select Chromecast on your TV from the menu and enjoy. You can control playback from your phone.