Most Vizio TVs do not have a built-in web browser you can use like you would on a computer

Vizio TVs come with SmartCast, which is Vizio's operating system that lets you stream apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube directly on your TV. But SmartCast is not the same as a web browser. You cannot type a web address into your Vizio TV and browse the internet the way you would on a phone or laptop.

Some older Vizio models from around 2013 to 2015 did include a basic browser app, but Vizio removed this feature from newer models. The company decided that streaming apps were what people actually used, so they stopped including a standalone browser.

If you need to view a website on your TV, you have other options that work better than a browser would anyway — and we'll walk through those below.

Key Takeaways

  • Current Vizio TVs do not include a web browser, though some older models from 2013–2015 had one.
  • SmartCast is Vizio's app platform, not a browser — it runs streaming services but cannot open websites by URL.
  • You can mirror your phone or computer screen to your Vizio TV to view websites, which works better than a built-in browser would.
  • If a website has a streaming app (like news sites or sports apps), you can read that app directly to your TV instead.

How to view websites on your Vizio TV without a browser

The simplest way to see a website on your Vizio TV is to mirror your phone or computer screen. Mirroring sends whatever is on your device's screen to your TV in real time, so you can use your phone's browser and see it on the big screen.

On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Vizio TV from the list. On an Android phone, pull down the notification shade, look for Cast or Screen Mirroring, and tap your TV's name. On a Windows computer, press the Windows key and P together, choose "Connect to a wireless display," and select your TV.

This approach is actually better than a built-in browser because you get your phone's full browser (Chrome, Safari, or whatever you use) with all your bookmarks and passwords already saved. You control it from your phone while watching on the TV.

What SmartCast can and cannot do

SmartCast is Vizio's app store and operating system combined. It can run apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Paramount+, and hundreds of others. But it cannot open a web address. You cannot type "google.com" or "weather.com" into SmartCast and have it load.

Think of SmartCast like the app drawer on your phone. Your phone's app drawer does not have a web browser built into it — the browser is a separate app you read. Vizio decided not to include a separate browser app in SmartCast, so you have to use mirroring or casting instead.

If you want to watch a specific website's content, check whether that website has an app in the SmartCast store first. Many news outlets, sports networks, and streaming services have their own apps that work directly on your TV without needing a browser.

Casting versus mirroring — which one to use

Casting and mirroring are different. Casting sends just one app or video to your TV — for example, you can cast a YouTube video from your phone to your TV while your phone screen goes dark. Mirroring sends your entire phone or computer screen, so your TV shows everything you see on your device.

For websites, mirroring works better because you need to see the whole page, click links, and type. Casting is better when you have already found the video or content you want and just want to watch it on the bigger screen.

Your Vizio TV supports both. Most apps (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu) have a Cast button built in. For mirroring, use the methods described above — Control Center on iPhone, Quick Settings on Android, or Windows key + P on Windows.

Older Vizio models with a browser

If you own a Vizio TV from 2013 to 2015, it may have a browser app already installed. Look in your SmartCast menu for an app called "Internet Browser" or "Web Browser." If it is there, you can open it and type a web address into the search bar at the top of the screen.

These older browsers are slow and clunky compared to modern phone browsers, which is partly why Vizio stopped including them. If you have one and it is not working well, mirroring your phone is still a faster way to view websites.

To check your TV's model year, go to the Settings menu on your TV, select System, and look for Model Number or Software Version. Vizio's website can tell you whether your specific model came with a browser.

Why Vizio removed the browser feature

Vizio stopped including a web browser because almost nobody used it. The company looked at how people actually used their TVs and found that they wanted streaming apps, not general web browsing. A TV remote is awkward for typing and clicking, and a phone or computer is always faster for that kind of task.

By removing the browser, Vizio could focus SmartCast on what people actually do — stream movies, shows, and music. This also made the TV's software simpler and less likely to have bugs or security problems.

If you need to browse the web on your TV, mirroring your phone or computer gives you a better experience anyway because you get a real browser with all your settings and passwords, and you can control it comfortably from your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a web browser to my Vizio TV?

No, you cannot read or install a web browser on a current Vizio TV. SmartCast does not allow third-party browsers. Your best option is to mirror your phone or computer, which gives you access to your phone's browser on the big screen.

Does casting a website work the same as mirroring?

Casting and mirroring are different. Casting sends one app or video, while mirroring sends your entire screen. For websites, mirroring works better because you need to see the whole page and interact with it. Most websites do not have a Cast button like YouTube does.

What if my Vizio TV is very old — does it have a browser?

Vizio included a basic browser on some models from 2013 to 2015. Check your TV's Settings menu under System to find the model number, then search Vizio's support site with that number to see if your model came with a browser app.

Can I use Vizio SmartCast on my phone to control my TV?

Yes, Vizio makes a SmartCast app for phones that lets you control your TV remotely, see what apps are available, and cast content. But the phone app is for controlling your TV, not for browsing the web on your TV. For websites, use your phone's browser and mirror the screen instead.