Vizio is a brand of smart televisions that offers more than just basic broadcast channels. They are popular in many places due to their high quality and low pricing but lack the support of the Android operating system, which means users cannot access the Play Store to download apps.
However, you can use some workarounds to install or add apps on your Vizio TV. If you are confused about how to install apps on Vizio TVs, then read this article. The features available on today’s Smart TVs have greatly improved from just a few years ago, when only the most expensive sets had them.
These TVs come with a suite of TV-optimized apps that you can use to watch whatever you’d like. The same we get to see in Vizio Smart TVs, and have been upgraded by the Android operating system which makes them more functional than ever before!
The majority of Vizio TVs come with a variety of Android apps, some pre-installed and others available for download. However, there are many applications that you might want to use on your TV but can’t because the app isn’t supported by Vizio or its store doesn’t carry it
Here are the steps you can take to add apps to your Vizio Smart TVs. There are several ways to install apps on your Vizio Smart TV without the V button. The Vizio Smartcast remote does not have a V button, but it has a Home button that performs the same function.
Method 1: Add Apps on any Vizio Smart TV (released in 2016 or later)
Vizio recently released an updated home screen user interface for its 2016 or later model TVs. The new home screen makes it easier to add apps and perform other actions on these Vizio TVs. Vizio has already rolled out the update to many of its televisions. This guide explains how you can add new apps to your TV using the updated home screen.
Press the Home button on your Vizio Smart TV Remote. Press the Left key on the remote to open the left navigation bar on your TV.
If you want to add apps, use your remote’s arrow keys to navigate down until the Apps option is highlighted in blue. Press OK when it becomes active.
From the app list, tap a desired application and then touch “Add to home screen.” You can search for the app by name or use other filters to find what you’re looking for.
We have compiled a list of apps and channels available on the Vizio Smart TV, so here are some details for you.
Method 2: Install Apps using the Vizio Internet Apps (Plus) platform
- Ensure that your Vizio TV is connected to the Internet.
- Press the Home button on your remote twice. (The home button is located at the bottom of most remotes, and has an icon that looks like a house.)
- You will now see a screen listing all apps installed on your TV. It has tabs for My Apps, Featured, Latest and All Apps—as well as Categories if the app store is inclined to provide that feature.
- Now you can browse through the Featured, Latest, App Apps and Categories tabs to look for an app that is compatible with your TV. You can also search for the app you want by typing its name in the search box at the top of this page.
- After you’ve found the app that you wish to install, hold down OK on your TV remote until it shows up in the My Apps tab.
To install apps such as Netflix and Hulu Plus on your Vizio television, you use the built-in app store called Vizio Internet Apps.
Method 3: Use Apps on Vizio TVs using Screencast
While Vizio TVs come with a limited number of apps, it is possible that you may not find some apps that you want to use on your TV—so how do you get those other ones onto the screen? The best and simplest solution for this problem is Screencast.
Many of Vizio’s televisions have the Screencast option, which makes it easy to cast an app from your mobile screen onto the television. So let’s see how you can use this feature on a Vizio TV.
Make sure that your Vizio TV and mobile device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Both devices must be on the wireless network in order for your phone or tablet computer to detect its presence easily.
Launch the app that you would like to cast. For example, if it’s the YouTube app, open up its interface and tap on Connect to Device from its menu options.
Initiate a search for available wireless displays—your Vizio TV should appear in this list once found; select it from here so as to begin streaming your screencast onto your television’s built-in display!
Screencasting from a Laptop to Vizio TV
Screencasting is possible on Windows 10 laptops and can be used to project the computer’s display onto a Vizio television. Here’s how: Both your laptop and TV should first be connected to the same wireless network.
Open the Google Chrome browser on your laptop and click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of that window. You can also open other browsers, like Firefox or Explorer, which will have similar features
Select the Cast option from the Menu. Your system will look for your wireless display, and once it’s found one you can choose to either share your web browser’s screen or—if available—-the whole system along with audio.
In order to connect your laptop, Vizio TV and mobile device to the same Wi-Fi network, you should make sure that these devices are all connected to the same wireless router.
Screen sharing on Vizio TVs using iPhones/iPads
Vizio’s line of televisions also features Apple Airplay 2—a version of screen mirroring from the iPhone. So let’s take a look at how to use apps on Vizio TVs using an iPhone as your remote control.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the streaming app and look for the icon with three dots next to it.
- Tap the icon, and your device will search for any wireless TVs in range. Make sure that both devices—your computer and TV —are connected to the same network.
With the Cast feature enabled, you can stream content from your device to a TV immediately. In the same way, music and photo sharing also work with this new feature.
Method 4: Using Chromecast or Roku streaming players
Using any streaming player that can be attached to your TV (like a Chromecast or Roku) is also useful for streaming through it—just make sure that both devices are connected to the same wireless network.
In addition, you can use the Vizio SmartCast App on Android and iOS to see what Apps are installed on your TV. You can also use this app to play content directly onto the device.
However, some Vizio TVs have more apps preinstalled than others. If your TV does not come with all the apps you want to install or is lacking in casting capabilities, we’ll show you how to add other applications and cast from your mobile device later in this guide.
Method 5: Download Apps from Play Store Using Browser on Vizio TV
Vizio Smart TVs don’t have a Play Store, but can download apps using Google’s app store. Here’s how to use the Google Play Store on your Vizio smart TV:
- Launch a web browser on any device, such as your computer. Plug it into an internet connection to ensure that you can access the internet.
- Search for Google Play on Google, and you will be taken directly to the app’s page.
- Using the Play Store app, navigate to the information page for an app you wish to download.
- Go ahead and tap the Install button; a window will appear requesting you to sign in with your Google account.
- Select the Google account that you used to set up your Vizio TV.
- Finally, enter the name of your Vizio smart TV and click Install.
- Now, a notification will appear to let you know that the app has been installed on your television. Tap OK.
- On your television, turn on the channel that is showing a program you previously downloaded.
Method 5: Using a USB
To install apps on your Vizio TV, you first need to format your USB drive to FAT32 or FAT. Next, download the APK from the internet and transfer it to your USB drive. Plug the USB drive into your Vizio Smart TV and select My Files from the dialogue box that appears onscreen. Navigate to your downloaded APK and click on it to begin installation.
Conclusion
When it comes to Vizio TVs, there are some models that allow you to install apps and there are some that don’t. Before installing any apps or screencasting on your Vizio TV, make sure to check the model number first. If you can’t install apps by any method, then it’s probably time for you to get a new TV. But while you make that new purchase, make sure to check if the TV supports app installations or has a dedicated app store in it. All TVs come with screencasting out of the box itself.
