No google play on vizio smart tv

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon and other similar affiliate programs. You can read our complete legal information for more details.

In search of How to add Apps to Vizio Smart TV that are not in the App Store? Did you know Vizio Smart TVs allow only built-in apps and does not include a native app store? This makes learning how to add apps to Vizio Smart TVs not listed in app store more complex than competing Smart TVs.

The apps that you see built-in on SmartCast are the apps your limited to natively with Vizio TVs, which means no Kodi or Spotify initially. However the Vizio App Hacks discussed In this post will allow you to get additional apps that aren’t in the App Store.

Dont worry, there are many ways to get more apps on your Vizio Smart TV outside the ones Vizio has limited us with.

Heres how to add apps to Vizio Smart TV not listed in App Store:

• Get a streaming device or computer that contains the not listed app (Example: Firestick 4k)
• Connect your device to your Vizio Smart TV through the USB. For computers, use Chromecast via browser to cast your screen to your TVs Smartcast
• Finally, use the google play App Store to download more apps on your Vizio Smart TV!

If using a streaming device then the model or year of your Vizio Smart TV won’t make much of difference. This is because you won’t be using the Vizio SmartCast software for apps any further.

If using a computer or mobile phone to run the app and cast to the Smart TV you’ll need SmartCast as it supports both ChromeCast as well as Airplay 2.

Many of the Vizio TV models made before 2018 will require a streaming device to add new apps.

If you’re looking to add the Kodi app on Vizio Smart TV you’ll either need to use a personal streaming service as an alternative (recommended).

For using a streaming stick, casting, HDMI or outside methods to put KODI on a Vizio Smart TV, you can follow our guide on how to install Kodi on Vizio Smart TVs.

Can you download more apps on a Vizio Smart TV?

You can download more apps on Vizio Smart TV by using a streaming device or casting. Streaming devices such as an Amazon Firestick, Roku Ultra or Nvidia Shield TV work wonders for Vizio Smart TVs.

A Firestick is the least expensive option out of the three while the Nvidia Shield serves as the absolute ultimate streaming device. I’ve used all three in the past and they’ve worked wonders for me on Vizio TVs.

As discussed earlier, aside from using a streaming device or casting you simply can’t download more apps on a Vizio Smart TV as they are built-in already.

Adding apps on Vizio Smart TV not listed in App Store is also possible through casting. This works by using Vizio Smart Tv’s SmartCast which uses both Airplay 2 and Chromecast.

Vizio has drastically improved their Smart TV capabilities… however they left out the best part: the ability to add more apps of your choosing.

These built-in Vizio apps differ greatly from other mainstream Smart TVs as they use HTML 5. (source) The pro to this is that Vizio apps update themselves, sort of like a web based application would. 

The con to these built-in apps is that Vizio doesn’t enable you to download more apps without using one of the methods listed in this post. Most likely due to the way they make their apps.

Can I download apps using a USB on Vizio Smart TV?

When learning how to add apps to Vizio Smart TV not in app store it’s not uncommon to wonder “Can I use a USB to put the app on a Vizio Smart TV” 

The answer to this is commonly vague from most sources since there is no widespread or known way of doing this as we all hoped.

There may be a very obscure method of allowing the Android operating system on the device in some form or another through USB, but it appears Vizio created SmartCast with Airplay and Chromecast in mind to allow a portal to add additional apps of your choosing.

Determine whether your desired app is included natively or not on your Vizio TV

Many may be surprised they overlooked the app they want when browsing Vizio SmartCast. Additionally, Disney plus is now available on Vizio Smart Tv via Smart Cast.

See the full list of Vizio Smart TV’s Smartcast apps.

How do I get more apps on my Vizio Smart TV?

As previously mentioned, there are two main ways to add new apps. These are casting and connecting a streaming device to add more apps on your Vizio Smart TV

Which you’ll choose is highly depends on if you demand a seamless experience; one where you don’t need a second device to set up and cast your additional apps every time you want to use it on your Vizio Smart TV.

If you’re like most and value convenience, then your best bet is a streaming device. Most streaming devices are relatively inexpensive compared to the massive value and benefit they provide of adding more apps to your Vizio Smart TV.

Here’s how to get more apps on your Vizio Smart TV by using a streaming device:

• First, connect your streaming device to your Vizio Smart TV. Next, navigate to your connected device by hitting “input” on your Vizio remote. Finally, use the Google Play store or Apple app store to add more apps to your Vizio Smart TV via your streaming device.

Now, if you’re looking to use casting to get more apps, then you’ll need to utilize Chromecast or Airplay 2 as well as your Vizio SmartCast input via a secondary device such as phone, tablet or computer… 

(it’s easier than it sounds)

Here’s how to add apps on Vizio Smart TV not listed in app store through casting:

• Choose a device such as a mobile phone, tablet or computer that has the apps on Vizio Smart TV not listed in app store. Next, use Chromecast or Airplay 2 on your device to cast and navigate your desired not listed app on Vizio Smart TV. Enjoy!

Are you looking for apps similar to Kodi? If so, Vizio has a built in app that will allow you to get nearly any movie or tv show that exists when configured correctly. No extra devices required! See more on this here.

How to Add Apps to Vizio Smart TV Not in App Store using screen mirroring

How to add apps to Vizio Smart TV not in app store can be done via screen mirroring and an inexpensive HDMI cord.

 If you don’t have casting as an option an HDMI cord can be used to mirror your screen from a device that has the app you desire (you know, the ones that Vizio is depriving us from)

Using an HDMI cord is a simple, inexpensive and straight forward way to get apps on Vizio Smart TV not listed. However, it sure can make you feel like a caveman in a world where we have Chromecast and Airplay 2 technology freely available to us on most devices.

Not to mention you have to physically plug the HDMI cord in and use your second device to navigate (typically a computer) since HDMI ports are not commonly native on mobile phones. 

Of course, you could always grab an extension or adapter of some sort for mobile phones… but, grabbing a streaming stick for a similar price would provide both a convenience level and a variety benefits you just can’t achieve through a mobile phone and HDMI.

Vizio App Hacks: Install apps on Vizio from a USB

You can install apps on a VIZIO Smart TV from a USB by retrieving the correct APK file and uploading it into the TV. You’ll need to open the file by selecting your directory (On most Vizio smart Tv’s it’s under ‘My Files’. Next, you’ll select and install the APK file. Keep in mind the APK files should always be from a credible resources. After this you can go to setting, then apps, then manage installed apps. From here, you’ll enter the app.

Here’s the exact steps to take to install apps on a VIZIO Smart TV from a USB:

1. First, get a USB Flash Drive that is formatted correctly to the volume format ‘FAT32’ or ‘FAT’
2. Install the APK of your choice. These are usually apps you can’t get on Vizio app store
3. Next, insert the USB Drive into to USB port of the Vizio Smart TV
4. A pop up should appear to open the directory of your USB, select ‘My Files’
5. From here, choose your APK, and launch the app
6. Congrats! You’re able to add Apps from a USB onto your VIZIO Smart Tv that aren’t in the original App Store!

Conclusion

Flowing from the thoughts discussed earlier, no longer will my readers wonder how to add apps to Vizio Smart TV not listed in App Store.

Now that you’re aware that Vizio Smart TV apps are built-in you can now make your decision on how to download more apps on a Vizio Smart TV wisely. 

For convenience purposes you can use a streaming device to add additional apps not listed. If you don’t have or are not looking to invest in an additional devices you can use the Vizio TV SmartCast and a supported Chromecast or Airplay 2 device to cast your apps.

Beware: the app experience is less than par with casting compared to a streaming device (they’re hard to beat!)

Last resort methods include connecting an HDMI cord and screen mirroring. Though, this is not recommended as a comfortable alternative to add more apps to Vizio Smart TV. Best of luck on your new Vizio TV apps!

How do I get Google Play on my VIZIO TV?

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

Can I add my own apps to VIZIO Smart TV?

How do you get Google Play on Smart TV?