What Does "Offload App" Mean? A Guide to Apps on Vizio Smart TVs
If you own a Vizio smart TV, you may have come across the term "offloading" when it comes to apps. But what exactly does it mean to offload an app, and how does it work on Vizio TVs? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explain everything you need to know about using apps on your Vizio television.
Understanding App Offloading
In general, offloading refers to the process of transferring a task from one device to another. In the context of apps, offloading means installing and running an app on a separate device from where it originates.
With smart TVs, offloading allows you to use apps that are not natively built into the TV‘s operating system. Instead, the app runs on your phone or tablet and streams the content to your TV. This is made possible by screen mirroring or casting technologies like Google Cast or Apple AirPlay.
Vizio smart TVs have the ability to offload apps in a few different ways, which we‘ll detail later in this guide. Offloading provides more flexibility in terms of the apps you can use and helps free up limited storage space on your TV.
Overview of Vizio‘s Smart TV Platform
Vizio‘s smart TV platform has evolved over the years. Older models, usually those released before 2016, use Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) or VIA Plus. These have built-in apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora, but a relatively limited selection overall.
Newer Vizio TVs use the SmartCast platform. While a few core apps are built-in, the primary way to access content is by offloading apps from your phone or tablet. SmartCast TVs have Chromecast built-in, which allows compatible apps on your devices to stream to the TV. Some models also support AirPlay 2 for streaming from Apple devices.
The specific apps available on your Vizio TV will depend on the model and operating system. You can check Vizio‘s website for a full list of apps for each model.
How to Download and Install Apps on Vizio TVs
The process to get apps on your Vizio TV varies depending on your specific model and operating system. However, we‘ll go over methods that work across most Vizio TVs.
VIA and VIA Plus Models
On older Vizio smart TVs running VIA or VIA Plus, you can install apps directly on the TV itself:
- Press the V button on your remote to access the VIA dock.
- Select Connected TV Store (for VIA) or All Apps (for VIA Plus).
- Browse or search for the app you want to install.
- Select the app and press OK. The app will begin installing.
- Once installed, the app will appear in your My Apps list for easy access.
Keep in mind that both the selection and performance of apps on these older models are limited. If an app you want is not available, you may need to use screen mirroring from your phone or upgrade to a newer TV.
SmartCast Models
On newer SmartCast TVs, the process to get apps is a bit different. Since these use offloading instead of native apps, you‘ll need to install them on your phone or tablet first:
- Make sure your phone/tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
- Download the app you want to use on your device from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The app must be Chromecast-enabled to work with Vizio SmartCast.
- Open the app on your device. There should be a Cast button that looks like a rectangle with signals in the corner. Tap this button.
- Select your Vizio TV from the list of available devices.
- The app should connect to your TV and begin streaming.
Some Vizio SmartCast models, primarily newer 4K TVs, also have a selection of built-in apps. You can access these by pressing the V button and selecting Apps. However, offloading is still the primary way to access most content.
Downloading Apps for Offloading
As mentioned, offloading apps to your Vizio TV requires installing them on your mobile device first. Here‘s a general guide to downloading offloadable apps:
- Open the app store on your phone or tablet (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS).
- Search for the app you want to use on your TV, such as Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube.
- Check that the app has a Cast icon or mentions being Chromecast-compatible in its description. This indicates it can offload to a smart TV.
- Select the app and tap Install.
- Once installed, open the app and look for the Cast button, usually near the top or bottom of the screen.
Not all apps are compatible with offloading, so you may need to try a few different ones to find those that work with your Vizio TV. Stick to popular, well-known apps at first.
Managing Apps on Vizio TVs
Once you have apps installed on your Vizio TV, there are a few ways to manage them:
Organizing Apps
- On VIA/VIA Plus, installed apps are added to your My Apps list. You can rearrange apps by selecting them with the remote and using the arrow keys.
- For SmartCast, offloaded apps will appear in the order they were last used. There‘s no way to manually rearrange them, but you can "pin" frequently used apps so they‘re easier to access.
Deleting Apps
- To delete an app on VIA/VIA Plus, highlight it in the My Apps list and hold down the OK button. An option to delete the app will appear.
- On SmartCast, you don‘t delete apps from the TV itself since they‘re offloaded. Instead, you‘ll need to uninstall them from your phone or tablet.
Freeing Up Storage Space
Vizio TVs have a limited amount of internal storage for apps. If you run out of space, you may need to delete unused apps using the steps above. SmartCast TVs rely largely on offloading, so storage is less of an issue, but deleting old apps can still help overall performance.
Updating Vizio Apps
VIA/VIA Plus
Apps on VIA and VIA Plus models must be updated manually. To do so:
- Select the app in your My Apps list.
- Press the yellow button on your remote.
- Select Update if available, or Delete App.
- If you deleted the app, reinstall it from the Connected TV Store or All Apps section to get the latest version.
SmartCast
Offloaded apps on SmartCast automatically use the latest version you have installed on your phone or tablet. Just make sure to keep your apps updated on your devices via the Google Play Store or App Store.
Built-in apps on SmartCast TVs update automatically when a new version is available. You can also manually check for updates:
- Press the V button and go to System > Check for Updates.
- If an update is found, follow the prompts to download and install it. Your TV will restart during this process.
Vizio SmartCast vs. Other Smart TV Platforms
So how does Vizio‘s app platform compare to those on other smart TV brands? Here‘s a quick breakdown:
- Samsung smart TVs use the Tizen operating system, which has a large selection of native apps available to download directly on the TV.
- LG uses webOS, which also offers a variety of apps in its Content Store.
- Roku TVs, made by brands like TCL and Hisense, have access to Roku‘s extensive channel library, all natively installed.
- Fire TV Edition televisions, made by Toshiba and Insignia, use Amazon‘s Fire TV platform and its associated app store.
- Android TVs, such as those from Sony, use the Google Play Store for native apps.
In general, these smart TV platforms offer a wider selection of native apps than Vizio‘s VIA/VIA Plus system. However, SmartCast‘s focus on offloading makes it more flexible, as you can use any Chromecast-enabled app.
Ultimately, all of these smart TV platforms are capable of running the most popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and YouTube. So your choice of TV brand should come down to other factors like picture quality, price, and personal preference.
Troubleshooting Vizio App Issues
If you‘re having trouble with an app on your Vizio TV, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your TV is connected to the internet. Go to Network > Test Connection in the settings menu.
- Power cycle your TV by unplugging it from the wall for 60 seconds.
- For offloaded apps, make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Delete and reinstall the problematic app, whether on the TV itself (VIA/VIA Plus) or your mobile device (SmartCast).
- Update the TV firmware by going to System > Check for Updates.
If issues persist, you may want to contact Vizio support for further assistance. They can help diagnose any hardware or software problems unique to your TV model.
Wrapping Up
Using apps on your Vizio TV can greatly enhance your viewing experience by providing access to tons of streaming content. Whether you have an older VIA/VIA Plus model or a newer SmartCast set, offloading apps from your phone or tablet is a convenient way to get the most out of your TV.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should have no problem installing, managing, and troubleshooting apps on your Vizio television. While the process may seem complex at first, once you get the hang of offloading you‘ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Happy streaming!
