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How To Update and Install Apps on a Vizio Smart TV

Vizio smart TVs provide endless entertainment options with their wide selection of streaming apps. As new apps are released and existing ones updated, it’s important to know how to keep your Vizio TV apps up-to-date. The process differs depending on whether you have a newer Vizio SmartCast TV or an older VIA/VIA Plus model.

Connecting Your Vizio TV to the Internet

Before updating or installing any apps, you’ll need to make sure your Vizio TV is connected to the internet. To do this:

  • Go to the menu on your TV remote and select “Network”
  • Choose your wifi network and enter the password to connect
  • Run the “Network Test” to confirm you have an internet connection

Once connected, you can proceed to updating or installing apps.

Updating Apps on a SmartCast TV

Newer Vizio TVs use the SmartCast platform which automatically updates apps in the background when the TV is idle. To manually check for updates:

  • Go to Menu > Settings > System > Check for Updates
  • If any updates are available, follow the on-screen prompts to install them
  • Once finished, your apps will all be updated to the latest versions

The update process happens seamlessly and requires no effort on your part. Over 100+ apps are supported on SmartCast including popular ones like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and more.

Adding or Updating Apps on VIA/VIA Plus TVs

Older Vizio smart TVs use the VIA or VIA Plus platform. These models have an app store that allows you to browse and manually install apps. To update or add apps on these TVs:

Updating Existing Apps

  • Press the V button on your remote to access the Vizio app store
  • Navigate to the app you want to update
  • Highlight the app icon and press the yellow button on your remote
  • If an update is available, select the “Update” option
  • The app will update to the latest version automatically

Installing New Apps

  • Press the V button on your remote to access the Vizio app store
  • Select the “All Apps” or “Categories” tab
  • Browse apps and highlight any you want to install
  • Press and hold the OK button on the highlighted app to add it to your My Apps list
  • Repeat for any other apps you wish to install

While the selection is more limited compared to SmartCast, popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and more are available to install directly on VIA/VIA Plus models.

Using Mobile Apps to Stream Content

If the app you want to use isn’t available on your Vizio TV, you can often still access the content by using the mobile app on your phone or tablet. To do this:

  • Download the app in question onto your mobile device
  • Connect your mobile device to the same wifi network as your Vizio TV
  • Open the app and look for the option to cast or mirror it onto your TV
  • Select your Vizio TV from the list of available devices
  • The app should now display on your TV screen

This allows you to stream content from apps not available natively on the Vizio platform.

Troubleshooting App Issues

If you experience issues with updating, installing or using apps on your Vizio TV, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Check your internet connection – run the network test on the TV
  • Reboot your TV and router/modem
  • Clear the cache and data for the problematic app
  • Factory reset your TV (will delete all data/settings)

In most cases, a simple reboot of your devices will resolve any app problems you encounter.

Conclusion

Updating and adding apps on your Vizio TV keeps your entertainment options plentiful. Newer SmartCast models require zero effort thanks to automatic app updates. Owners of older VIA/VIA Plus models can manually install apps from the Vizio store. And using the mobile app casting feature allows you to stream from any app, even if it’s not directly available on the Vizio platform. Keeping your apps updated ensures you have the latest features and best performance.

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