Individuals tend to buy smart TVs non just for hereafter-proof technologies, merely also to admission and add apps from the comfort of their homes.

Many smart TVs offer the selection to add hundreds of apps to your Goggle box like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and so on. Yet, some smart TVs are limited to a number of congenital-in apps.

VIZIO smart TVs take allowed users to add their favorite apps for a long time. Nevertheless, in 2016, they launched their SmartCast platform which threw a wrench in the works every bit you could no longer download apps from your VIZIO smart Telly.

VIZIO Smart TV History

In March 2016, VIZIO released a new line of smart TVs called SmartCast TVs. VIZIO's SmartCast TVs allowed users to control the content on their Television receiver via tablet or smartphone. In 2017, VIZIO'south smart Goggle box platform was relaunched, containing new apps that were directly bachelor on the TV. These apps included Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

VIZIO's start Quantum Dot LED 4K Goggle box was released in 2018, adding functionality for Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled devices. There was also support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Apple HomeKit.

Downloading apps or casting apps to your VIZIO smart TV tin differ depending on the type of VIZIO system you have.

  • 2018 onwards: VIZIO smart TVs use the SmartCast platform
  • 2016 and 2017: VIZIO smart TVs feature SmartCast or VIA+
  • 2015 and older: VIZIO Smart TVs features VIA or VIA+

What Are VIZIO VIA and VIA Plus?

VIZIO Internet Apps (VIZIO VIA) and VIZIO VIA Plus are built into selected VIZIO smart TVs that were released until 2017.

It allows users to stream their favorite movies, Telly shows, and music directly from popular apps on VIZIO smart TVs similar Netflix and Hulu.

What Is VIZIO SmartCast?

VIZIO SmartCast Hd TVs that were released betwixt 2016 to 2017 don't allow users to install apps. These TVs practise not offering any built-in apps but instead allow you to cast from Chromecast-enabled apps from your smartphone or tablet.

vizio smartcast platform

Image Credit: VIZIO

VIZIO SmartCast 4K UHD TVs betwixt released between 2016 to 2017 and SmartCast TVs from 2018 onwards do not allow users to install apps. All apps are congenital into the SmartCast platform and enable users to cast content from Chromecast-enabled apps. In addition, you can bandage from Apple tree devices using AirPlay.

How to Add together Apps to VIZIO Smart TV Using VIA

If you have a VIZIO smart TV that was built pre-2017, y'all can add apps to your TV using VIA.

  • Printing the V button on your remote.
  • Select Connected TV Store.
  • Choose All Apps.
  • Navigate through the list of apps until you find the app you want to install, then printing OK.
  • Select the Install App option.

How to Add together Apps to VIZIO Smart TV Using VIA Plus

If your VIZIO smart Idiot box is running the VIA Plus platform, you tin install apps on your VIZIO smart Boob tube easily. Just follow these directions:

  • Press the V push button twice on your remote.
  • A listing of installed apps will exist displayed under the My Apps tab.
  • Navigate through the Featured, Latest, All Apps, and Categories tabs to locate the app you desire to install.
  • Press and hold the OK button until the proper noun of the app y'all want to install appears in the My Apps listing.

How to Add Apps to a SmartCast TV

VIZIO SmartCast TVs have a selection of pre-installed apps ready to utilize like Hulu and Netflix. However, if you would rather add your ain apps that aren't on the core listing, you can cast them directly from your smartphone.

  • Open up the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your mobile device.
  • Select the app you wish to cast from, such as Disney+.
  • Cull Install to download and install the app on your device.
  • Open the app and select the Cast icon.

Your content volition offset streaming on your VIZIO SmartCast Tv once y'all select the Cast option. If the TV show or movie ends, casting volition stop. This is also the instance if yous use your VIZIO smart Goggle box remote to perform another office.

How to Delete an App From Your VIZIO Smart Tv

If you want to remove a streaming service from your My Apps list on your VIZIO smart TV, you will need to delete information technology entirely. If you delete an app, you can reinstall it at a later date using the same method to add an app to your VIZIO smart TV.

  • Navigate to the My Apps tab.
  • Highlight the icon for the app y'all want to delete.
  • Select Delete from the submenu.
  • Click OK adjacent to the delete option.

Using VIZIO SmartCast Mobile

If you own a VIZIO SmartCast TV, you lot also have the option of downloading the VIZIO SmartCast Mobile app for Android or the App Store.

The app allows yous to manage and build your own listing of apps that you want to bandage to your VIZIO smart TV. From the app, y'all tin can power on/off devices, play/pause content, and alter advanced settings.

The VIZIO SmartCast Mobile app works with supported VIZIO SmartCast products:

  • 2016 and 2017 VIZIO SmartCast UHD Habitation Theater Displays
  • 2018 and 2019 VIZIO SmartCast TVs
  • VIZIO SmartCast Audio Bars
  • VIZIO SmartCast Crave Speakers

From Past to Cast

While it may not feel very intuitive turning to your smartphone to use apps on your VIZIO smart Television, it does seem this will go along to exist the way forward with VIZIO.

However, the likeliness of people owning a VIZIO smart TV and a smartphone is very high. This, coupled with the selection to download the VIZIO SmartCast Mobile app means users tin manage their entire streaming library from 1 place.

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Georgie Peru (133 Manufactures Published)

Georgie is MakeUseOf's Heir-apparent's Guides Editor and a freelance author with 10+ years of experience. She has a hunger for all things tech and a passion for helping others.

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