How to Add Apps to a SmartCast TV
SmartCast TVs come with a broad selection of more than 100 preinstalled core apps available on your SmartCast home screen. There’s no functionality for downloading additional apps; however, new apps become available periodically and are available immediately after an update. If there’s an app you want to use that isn’t available on your screen, you may still be able to access its content by downloading the app to your mobile device and using the TV’s built-in Chromecast or AirPlay technology.
Cast an Application to Your Vizio TV
Casting to your Vizio TV works the same as casting using a Chromecast device.
Stream Content to Your Vizio TV With AirPlay
To stream AirPlay content from an iOS app to your Vizio TV, you’ll take advantage of the TV’s built-in AirPlay capabilities.
How to Customize SmartCast Core Apps
More than 100 apps are installed in SmartCast-enabled Vizio TVs. You can access them directly on the screen without casting. It’s easy to customize your app selection, so your favorites are easily accessible.
What Are VIA and VIA+?
Some older Vizio TVs use the VIA or VIA+ smart TV platform instead of SmartCast. VIA and VIA+ platforms work like many other smart TVs. You have a set of core apps and can add more apps via an app marketplace. VIA and VIA+ also support mirroring or casting content from some apps using your mobile device.
How to Add Apps on a VIA or VIA+ TV
With VIA and VIA+ platforms, you’ll have a set of core apps, such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora, and iHeart Radio, but you can add many more apps from the Vizio app store. On some models, you can also add the Google Play: Movies and TV app. Here’s how to add more apps on smart TVs with Via and VIA+:
About the Different Vizio Systems
Adding and managing apps on Vizio TVs and Home Theater Displays varies depending on your system: SmartCast, VIA, or VIA+. Here’s a look at Vizio systems by model year:
2018 and later: All Vizio smart TVs feature SmartCast.2016 and 2017: Tunerless Home Theater Displays feature SmartCast.2016 and 2017: Vizio smart TVs feature either SmartCast or VIA+.2015 and older: Vizio smart TVs feature VIA or VIA+.
Check the user guide to identify your system. Your TV or home theater display must be connected to your home network and the internet to use any of Vizio’s app platforms.
How SmartCast Works
The foundation of SmartCast is the Google Chromecast platform, which allows app content to display on a TV via casting from a compatible mobile device. You don’t have to plug in a Chromecast dongle because Chromecast is built into SmartCast technology. When you initiate a cast, the TV will automatically switch from the current source input (such as a TV channel or HDMI input) to the casting source. Compatible apps will indicate that they’re SmartCast-compatible, and SmartCast will even provide recommendations based on your viewing history. With the SmartCast mobile app, you can also control your Vizio TV’s functions, including input selection, picture calibration, and sound settings.
