Can i download apps on vizio tv

I invested in a Vizio Smart TV a few years ago and was pretty happy with its performance throughout. 

It is still going strong. However, a few weeks ago I accidentally spilled coffee on the TV remote.

Although the remote is working fine, the V button has been rendered useless. 

I was quite bummed about this since the V button on a Vizio TV remote is essential to access Smart TV features. 

In addition to this, I always downloaded new apps on the TV using the V button. 

Nevertheless, I wanted to look into possible alternatives to the V button before I thought about replacing the remote. 

I was mostly concerned about how to install and uninstall applications without the V button. So, I hopped onto the internet to look for possible solutions. 

After going through several forums and blogs on the internet, I found that there are a few ways of accessing the Play Store without the V button. 

To save you the hassle of going through all that information, I have listed all the possible workaround to using the V button on a Vizio Smart TV remote in this article. 

To download apps on Vizio TV without a V button, the best method is to use the Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) Plus Platform. You can also sideload apps on the TV using a flash drive or use the SmartCast app. 

In addition to these fixes, I have also mentioned other fixes such as using other buttons on the remote to access the Play store and screencasting apps from another device. 

How Do I Tell Which Vizio TV Model I Have?

To understand how to download apps on your Vizio TV without a V button, you need to know which Vizio TV model you own. 

The OS platform your TV is using determines what is displayed on the screen and how can you interact with it. 

The software used depends on the model series and when it was released. 

These platforms can be divided into four categories. 

SmartCast with Apps

This platform is used in TVs that were released after 2018 and on some 4K UHD TVs released between 2016 and 2017. 

SmartCast Without Apps

This type of OS is found on VIZIO smart TVs that were released between 2016 and 2017. 

VIZIO Internet Apps Plus (VIA Plus)

The VIA platform is usually found in Vizio TVs rolled out from 2013 to 2017. 

VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA)

Most Vizio TVs released before 2013 use the VIA. 

Once you have determined which TV model you own, move on to the method of installing apps on your device without a V button. 

Use Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) Plus Platform to Install Apps

The easiest way of installing apps on your Vizio TV without a V button is by using the Internet Apps (VIA) Plus Platform. For this, make sure the TV has a stable internet connection. 

Follow these steps:

• Press the Home button twice on the remote. 
• This will take you to a screen that shows all the apps installed on the device. 
• Go to the All Apps list and search for the app you want to install. 
• Click the ok button once you find the app and wait till it installs. 

Sideload Apps onto Vizio TV Using a Flash Drive

You can also sideload apps onto your Vizio TV using a Flash Drive. This method works best if you have an unstable internet connection. 

Follow these steps:

• Download the APK for the app you want to install. 
• Using a computer, save the file on a flash drive. Make sure there is nothing else stored on it. 
• Turn the TV off and unplug it from the source. 
• Plug the flash drive, restore the power to the TV and turn it on. 
• The system will automatically start sideloading the app, wait for the process to complete. 

Use the SmartCast App as a Remote to Install Apps on your Vizio TV

Vizio TVs are compatible with Google Chromecast. You can use this SmartCast setup to add new apps or uninstall old apps from the TV.

The setup lets you add and control all the applications on your Vizio TV. For this, all you need is a Google Chromecast-enabled application on your phone. 

However, it is important to know that Vizio TVs offer a small number of apps. This means you are restricted to the pre-installed app in some cases and you might not be able to access many applications on your TV. 

Once you open the SmartCast page of your TV, all the available apps will be displayed. Using the app on your phone, you can control a cursor on your TV. 

Using this cursor go to the All Apps section and search for the app you want to install. 

Note that some older models do not allow you to install new apps on the TV. 

Navigate Vizio TV Interface Using Buttons on your Vizio TV

You can also use the buttons on your TV to access the Play Store.

Follow these steps:

• Make sure the TV is connected to the internet. 
• Long press the input and volume down button on the TV. 
• Go to the Home screen. 
• This will take you to a screen that shows all the apps installed on the device. 
• Go to the ‘All Apps’ category and look for the application you have in mind. 
• Click the ok button once you find the app and wait till it installs. 

Screencast Apps from your Smartphone to your Vizio TV

If you are unable to download new apps, the best way to use new apps on your TV is using SmartCast. 

All you need is a Google Chromecast compatible app and you will be able to cast media on the TV. 

The best part is, you will not be restricted by the limited list of available apps. In addition to this, you can also cast media using your laptop.

AirPlay Streaming Apps from your iPhone to your Vizio TV

Vizio TV SmartCast is also compatible with AirPlay 2. 

This means using your iOS device including an iPhone, iPad, or iMac, you can stream AirPlay content to your VIZIO SmartCast TV. 

The process is simple. Follow these steps:

• Open a streaming app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Select the media you want to stream.
• Click on the Airplay icon. 
• Select the TVs name. This will start streaming the media.

Cast Streaming Services from your PC to your Vizio TV

As mentioned, you can also use your laptop to stream media on your Vizio TV. If you have a Windows 10 laptop, you can simply follow the casting procedure you use to cast media using your smartphone. 

All you have to do is open the Chrome browser, select the cast option from the menu and share the screen you want. 

Popular Apps for Vizio TVs

Since TVs are usually used for streaming media, the apps that are popular on Vizio TV are also media streaming apps.

These include:

• Netflix
• YouTube
• Pluto TV
• Hulu
• Crackle
• Yahoo Sports
• VizControl

How to Remove Apps from your Vizio TV

The process of removing apps from your Vizio TV is similar to installing them.

Follow these steps:

• Press the Home button twice on the remote. 
• This will take you to a screen that shows all the apps installed on the device. 
• Go to the All Apps list and search for the app you want to install. 
• Click the ok button once you find the app.
• On the app homepage, click on uninstall and wait for the process to finish. 

Conclusion

Many applications are geo-restricted or are sometimes not supported by the device you are trying to install it on. 

Hence, while trying to install an app on your Vizio Smart TV, do not see the app you are looking for or if it says that the device does not support the app, you will not be able to install it. 

However, Vizio regularly keeps on updating the features and applications, so there is a high chance that an app that is not currently available will be made available in the future.

Till then, you can always rely on casting the apps using your phone or PC. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I add apps to my Vizio Smart TV without the App Store?

You can use a USB drive to sideload apps on your TV. Make sure your TV is compatible before sideloading an app. 

Can you download more apps on a Vizio Smart TV?

How do I add apps to my Vizio Smart TV that are not listed?

Does Vizio TV have an app store?

What apps are available for Vizio TV?