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How to Add, Delete and Update Apps on Any Vizio TV

Authored by:
Support.com Tech Pro Team
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Introduction

The general expectation with Smart TVs is that you should be able to add your favorite apps and delete the ones you don't want.

Some TVs have an app store from where you can download and install apps while others only provide a limited number of built-in apps that you cannot change. For several years, VIZIO Smart TVs allowed you to add and delete apps, however, in 2016 they changed their approach with the launch of their SmartCast platform.

This guide will show you what options you have to adding, deleting and updating apps on your VIZIO Smart TV.

Before You Begin:
Connect to the Internet
To be able to use apps on your VIZIO Smart TV, it needs to be connected to the Internet:
Vizio Logo.

1 Which VIZIO Platform Do I Have?

The platform your smart TV is running on tells your TV how to operate, what to show on the screen and how you can interact with it. The specific platform a VIZIO Smart TV is running on depends on the model series and when it was released. To easily determine this, check the images below for reference:

SmartCast with Apps
SmartCast interface with apps on VIZIO Smart TV.
The SmartCast platform with built-in apps is found on all VIZIO TVs released since 2018 as well as on 4K UHD TVs released between 2016 – 2017.
SmartCast with No Apps
SmartCast interface with no apps on VIZIO Smart TV.
The first iteration of the SmartCast platform is found on VIZIO HD TVs released between 2016 – 2017.
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus (VIA Plus)
VIA Plus interface on VIZIO Smart TV.
The VIA Plus platform is found on VIZIO TVs released between 2013 – 2017 and is an upgrade to the VIA platform.
VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA)
VIA interface on VIZIO Smart TV.
The VIA platform is found on VIZIO TVs released between 2009 – 2013.

? Choose what you wish to continue with

  1. Can You Add, Delete or Update Apps on VIZIO SmartCast?
  2. How to Add, Delete or Update Apps on VIZIO Internet Apps Plus
  3. How to Add, Delete or Update Apps on VIZIO Internet Apps

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The general expectation with Smart TVs is that you should be able to add your favorite apps and delete the ones you don't want.

Some TVs have an app store from where you can download and install apps while others only provide a limited number of built-in apps that you cannot change. For several years, VIZIO Smart TVs allowed you to add and delete apps, however, in 2016 they changed their approach with the launch of their SmartCast platform.

This guide will show you what options you have to adding, deleting and updating apps on your VIZIO Smart TV.

Before You Begin:
Connect to the Internet
To be able to use apps on your VIZIO Smart TV, it needs to be connected to the Internet:
Vizio Logo.

The platform your smart TV is running on tells your TV how to operate, what to show on the screen and how you can interact with it. The specific platform a VIZIO Smart TV is running on depends on the model series and when it was released. To easily determine this, check the images below for reference:

SmartCast with Apps
SmartCast interface with apps on VIZIO Smart TV.
The SmartCast platform with built-in apps is found on all VIZIO TVs released since 2018 as well as on 4K UHD TVs released between 2016 – 2017.
SmartCast with No Apps
SmartCast interface with no apps on VIZIO Smart TV.
The first iteration of the SmartCast platform is found on VIZIO HD TVs released between 2016 – 2017.
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus (VIA Plus)
VIA Plus interface on VIZIO Smart TV.
The VIA Plus platform is found on VIZIO TVs released between 2013 – 2017 and is an upgrade to the VIA platform.
VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA)
VIA interface on VIZIO Smart TV.
The VIA platform is found on VIZIO TVs released between 2009 – 2013.

The short answer is no. The VIZIO SmartCast platform offers built-in apps that you can find at the bottom of the screen. You'll see apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and even Disney+. For a more comprehensive list of available apps, you can visit www.vizio.com/smart-tv-apps.
Built-in apps highlighted on main screen of VIZIO SmartCast TV.
Besides the built-in apps, you cannot add more or delete any of the existing ones. They are created and maintained by the companies providing the online content in partnership with VIZIO. They are loaded onto your TVs screen from the provider's server similar to how websites do. When the provider decides to add new features, improve existing ones or fix current issues, they will make the changes on their server which will then be reflected on your TV automatically when you launch the app. If there's a certain app that you would like to have on the SmartCast platform, you may want to contact the content provider and put in a request. Besides the built-in apps you can also cast content from Chromecast-enabled apps from a phone, tablet or computer, as well as cast from Apple devices over AirPlay.

A small number of TV models only run on the first iteration of the SmartCast platform. It doesn't have built-in apps nor can you add apps yourself. It only allows you to cast content from Chromecast-enabled apps from a phone, tablet or computer.
SmartCast interface with no apps on VIZIO Smart TV.

The VIZIO Internet Apps Plus platform shows your apps at the bottom of the screen.
Apps highlighted on main screen of VIZIO Internet Apps Plus TV.
There is a multitude of apps that you can choose from and add them to your screen from the Smart TV App Store. You can also delete the ones you don't want, to keep them better organized. These apps are maintained by their developers and are updated automatically as long as your TV is connected to the Internet. For a list of available apps, you can visit www.vizio.com/via-chart. Below you can find instructions on how to add or delete apps on this platform:

Add Apps on the VIA Plus Platform
  1. Press the VIA button twice on the remote.
    VIA Key on VIZIO TV remote.
  2. In the Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window you will see your added apps under the My Apps tab.
    My Apps tab highlighted on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.
  3. Browse through the Featured, Latest, All Apps or Categories tabs to find the app you wish to add.
    Featured, Latest, All Apps and Categories tabs highlighted on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.
  4. Highlight the app you wish to add and hold the OK button on the remote as instructed in the bottom right.
    Hold OK instruction highlighted on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.
  5. You'll get a confirmation message that says "[App Name] has been added to your My Apps list."
Delete Apps on the VIA Plus Platform
  1. Press the VIA button on the remote.
    VIA Key on VIZIO TV remote.
  2. In the Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window you will see your added apps under the My Apps tab.
    My Apps tab highlighted on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.
  3. Highlight the app you wish to add and hold the OK button on the remote.
  4. Then press OK to delete the app as instructed in the bottom right.
    Move, Delete and Cancel options highlighted on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.
  5. Confirm you wish to Delete the app.
    Delete button highlighted on confirmation pop-up for highlighted app on Fullscreen VIA Plus Apps Window on VIZIO Smart TV.

The VIZIO Internet Apps platform shows your apps at the bottom of the screen.
Apps highlighted on main screen of VIZIO Internet Apps TV.
There is a multitude of apps that you can choose from and add them to your screen from the Connected TV Store. You can also delete the ones you don't want, to keep them better organized. These apps are maintained by their developers and are updated automatically as long as your TV is connected to the Internet. Below you can find instructions on how to add or delete apps on this platform:

Add Apps on the VIA Platform
  1. Press the VIA button on the remote.
    VIA button highlighted on VIZIO remote.
  2. Select Connected TV Store from the dock at the bottom of the screen.
    Connected TV Store highlighted in dock on VIA platform.
  3. Select All Apps, Latest, Featured, or Categories to find the app you wish to add.
    All Apps, Latest, Featured, or Categories highlighted in Connected TV Store on VIA platform.
  4. Browse through the apps and select the one you wish to add.
    List of apps showing in Connected TV Store on VIA platform.
  5. Then select Install App.
    Install App option highlighted for selected app in Connected TV Store on VIA platform.
  6. The app will be added to the dock at the bottom of the screen.
Delete Apps on the VIA Platform

Some apps cannot be deleted due to contract and design.

  1. Press the VIA button on the remote.
    VIA button highlighted on VIZIO remote.
  2. Highlight the app you wish to delete from the dock at the bottom of the screen.
    VIA Dock on VIA platform.
  3. Press the yellow button on the remote.
    Yellow button highlighted on VIZIO remote.
  4. Select Delete App from the pop-up menu.
    Delete App option highlighted in pop-up menu for highlighted app on VIA platform.
  5. Then confirm your choice and select Yes, delete.
    Yes, delete option highlighted in pop-up menu for highlighted app on VIA platform.
  6. The app will be deleted from the dock at the bottom of the screen.
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