The basic process: using the Vizio SmartCast app store

Vizio Smart TVs come with a built-in app store called SmartCast, which you access directly from your TV remote. To add an app, press the V button (the Vizio logo button) on your remote, navigate to Apps, then browse or search for the app you want. Select it and choose Install or read. The app downloads to your TV and appears on your home screen within a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the app size and your internet speed.

Most common apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu are already available in SmartCast. Smaller or newer apps may not be there. If you cannot find an app in SmartCast, it likely is not available for Vizio TVs, and you will need to use a different device (like a streaming stick or external box) to access it.

Your TV must be connected to the internet via WiFi or ethernet for this to work. If you have not set up your internet connection yet, go to Settings > Network and choose your WiFi network or plug in an ethernet cable.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the V button on your Vizio remote, go to Apps, search for what you want, and select Install to add it to your TV.
  • Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet before you can read any apps.
  • If an app does not appear in SmartCast, Vizio does not offer it for your TV model, and you will need an external device like a Roku stick or Apple TV box instead.
  • Apps read in the background; you can start using them as soon as they finish, usually within a few minutes.
  • You can delete apps you no longer use by pressing and holding on the app icon and selecting Remove or Delete.

What to do if SmartCast is slow or will not load

If the app store is running slowly or apps are not downloading, the first step is to restart your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes temporary glitches.

If that does not work, check your internet speed. Go to Settings > Network > Test Connection to see what your TV is getting. Vizio recommends at least 5 Mbps for streaming, but downloading apps works better with 10 Mbps or higher. If your speed is very low, move your TV closer to your WiFi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If SmartCast still will not load, try signing out of your Vizio account and signing back in. Go to Settings > Account and look for a sign-out option. Then sign back in with your Vizio email and password. This refreshes your connection to the app store.

Differences between Vizio TV models and app availability

Vizio makes several lines of Smart TVs, and not all of them have the same apps available. Older Vizio TVs (before 2016) may use a different system called Internet Apps Plus instead of SmartCast, and they have fewer apps available. If your TV is very old and you cannot find common apps, check your TV's model number (usually on the back or in Settings) and search online for what apps that specific model supports.

Newer Vizio TVs (2016 and later) use SmartCast and have much broader app support. Even so, some apps are only available on certain models. If you are looking for a specific app and cannot find it, that particular TV model may not support it. In that case, you have two options: use a different device to stream that app, or consider whether a Roku TV, Samsung TV, or LG TV might have better app support for what you need.

Using an external device if the app is not in SmartCast

If the app you want is not available in SmartCast, you can add it to your TV using an external streaming device. The most common options are Roku Streaming Stick, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. These devices plug into your TV's HDMI port and have their own app stores with thousands of apps.

To use an external device, plug it into an available HDMI port on the back of your Vizio TV, turn on the device, and switch your TV input to that HDMI port using your Vizio remote (usually by pressing Input or Source). Then follow the device's setup instructions to connect it to WiFi and sign into your accounts. Once set up, you can read apps directly to that device.

The downside is that you will have another remote to manage, and the device takes up space. The upside is that you get access to thousands more apps, and if you ever upgrade your TV, you can take the device with you.

Updating apps you have already installed

Apps on your Vizio TV update automatically by default. Your TV checks for updates when it is in standby mode (turned off but plugged in) and installs them overnight. You do not have to do anything.

If you want to check for updates manually, go to Settings > System > System Update to update the TV itself, or go to Apps and look for an Updates or Manage Apps section where you can see which apps have updates waiting. Select the app and choose Update.

If an app is broken or not working after an update, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it fresh. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, select Remove or Delete, then go back to SmartCast and install it again.

Managing storage when your TV is running out of space

Vizio Smart TVs have limited built-in storage, usually between 4 GB and 8 GB depending on the model. If you install too many apps, your TV may slow down or refuse to install new ones. You can check how much space you have left in Settings > System > Storage.

If you are running low on space, delete apps you do not use regularly. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen and select Remove. You can always reinstall it later from SmartCast. Start by removing apps that are large or that you have not opened in months.

You cannot add external storage to a Vizio TV the way you can with a computer or phone, so managing what you keep installed is the only option. If you find yourself constantly running out of space, it may be worth using an external streaming device instead, since those devices often have more storage and you can manage apps on them separately from your TV.

Signing into apps and managing your accounts

Once an app is installed on your Vizio TV, you usually need to sign in with your account before you can use it. Open the app and look for a Sign In, Log In, or Account button. Enter your email and password using your TV remote (which can be slow). Some apps let you sign in on your phone or computer instead and then automatically recognize you on the TV, which is faster.

If you share your TV with other people in your household, be aware that signing into an app on the TV usually signs in that account for everyone who uses that app on that TV. If you want separate accounts, you may need to sign out and back in each time, or use a different device for private accounts.

If you forget a password, use your phone or computer to reset it on that app's website, then use the new password on your TV. Most apps do not have a way to reset your password directly from the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sideload apps onto my Vizio TV the way I can on Android phones?

No. Vizio Smart TVs do not support sideloading apps from USB drives or other sources. You can only install apps that are available in the SmartCast app store. If an app is not there, it is not available for your TV, and you will need to use an external device instead.

Why does my Vizio TV say an app is not compatible with my model?

Some apps require newer hardware or software than your TV has. This usually happens with very old Vizio TVs (before 2016) or with apps that demand high processing power. Check your TV's model number and the app's system requirements online to confirm. If it is truly incompatible, an external streaming device is your only option.

Do I need a Vizio account to read apps?

You need a Vizio account to access SmartCast and read apps. Creating one is free and takes a few minutes. You will be prompted to set one up the first time you try to read an app. You only need to do this once per TV.

What happens to my apps if I factory reset my TV?

A factory reset erases all apps and settings and returns your TV to how it was when you first bought it. You will have to reinstall every app afterward. Only do a factory reset if your TV is seriously malfunctioning and you have tried everything else.

Can I use the same app account on multiple Vizio TVs in my house?

Yes. You can sign into the same Netflix, Hulu, or other app account on multiple TVs. Each TV will remember your login and your watch history. Some apps limit how many devices can stream at the same time (for example, Netflix limits simultaneous streams based on your plan), so check your app's rules if multiple people are watching at once.