Customers usually prefer versatile products that integrate with other home products. Vizio ensures that their TVs achieve this by making them compatible with devices that use different operating systems that are not Smartcast. For instance, you can wirelessly connect your TV to an Apple or Android device, and the best part is you do not have to download any additional apps.
Some people can find it challenging to connect their iPhones to a Vizio TV since the setup process includes critical steps. If some of the steps are skipped, the devices will not connect. Read on for an elaborate illustration of the different methods you can use to link your iPhone to a VIZIO television.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The question from the title is somewhat ambiguous and could mean two things – you want to cast or screen mirror your iPhone or you want to control your VIZIO TV with your iPhone.
If you want to control your VIZIO TV, download and install the VIZIO Mobile app. Pair it with your TV and you should be able to control your TV.
If you want to cast, the easiest and most convenient option is Apple AirPlay or AirPlay2. Most modern VIZIO TVs support AirPlay.
If your TV doesn’t support AirPlay or you just want something more reliable, try using Lightning Digital AV Adapter.
If your TV doesn’t support Airplay, you could also try using some streaming device that supports AirPlay (Roku, Apple TV, etc.).
Connect iPhone to a VIZIO TV via Airplay 2
Apple devices use Airplay to connect wirelessly to other devices, and fortunately, Vizio Smartcast TVs made since 2016 come with Airplay.
Therefore, once you enable Airplay on the TV and ensure that your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can share your iPhone’s screen with the TV.
Follow the steps below to activate Airplay on the Vizio TV:
- Ensure the TV is on and connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Press the Smartcast Home button (V button) to get to the Smartcast home screen.
- Then use the left/right navigation keys to go to the Extras option and press OK.
- Scroll to Apple Airplay, press OK, then highlight ON and press OK.
You will know Airplay is on if you see the Airplay icon on the top right corner of the Smartcast home screen.
How to Enable Airplay on VIZIO TVs
After you enable Airplay on the TV, the next step is to initiate screen mirroring from your iPhone, and all iPhones with iOS 12.4 or later have Airplay.
To enable Airplay on the iPhone, open the control center, tap the Screen mirroring option, and select your Vizio TV from the list of devices.
If the iPhone asks you to enter a passcode, check the TV screen for the code and enter it on the phone. You should now be able to see your phone screen on the TV.
How to Use AirPlay2 on VIZIO TVs
Connect to the TV via the Vizio Mobile App
Vizio also has a Vizio Mobile App available on the App Store that allows you to control the TV and cast content through streaming apps like Hulu and Disney Plus. You can download and install the app and then set it up using the steps below:
- Launch the app and follow the prompts to create a Vizio account. You can use it as a guest, i.e., without a Vizio account, but that would deny you access to some features.
- Remember to check that the TV and iPhone are on the same network to facilitate seamless connectivity between the two devices.
- Once you create a Vizio account, the app will show a list of Vizio TVs on the network; select your TV to initiate a connection between the TV and iPhone.
- The TV will then display a four-digit code that you can enter into the phone to complete the connection between your iPhone and TV.
- You can now control the TV by adjusting the volume, changing channels, and switching inputs.
Setting Up VIZIO Mobile App
Connect to Vizio TV Using an Adapter
Another alternative to connect the TV to your iPhone is to use the iPhone’s lightning port and the TV’s HDMI port.
To do this, purchase the necessary Lightning Digital AV Adapter, available in the Apple store.
Lightning Digital AV Adapter (Lightning-to-HDMI/USB-C) by Apple
Once you have the adapter, you will use a Lightning cable to connect it to your iPhone, and an HDMI cable to connect it to the TV.
Then use the Input button on the remote or TV to go to the connected HDMI source, and you should see the iPhone screen on the TV.
Other outlets sell different versions of this adapter, but it is important to get one made by Apple to avoid purchasing incompatible equipment.
Lightning AV Adapter Review
Consider a Streaming Device
Streaming devices like Apple TVs or Rokus are compatible with Airplay. You can purchase them from trusted vendors and connect them to your TV.
| Streaming Devices to Try | |
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Apple TV 4K
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Roku Ultra
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Once you do, you can easily connect the iPhone to the TV through said streaming devices. Different devices have different connection procedures; therefore, consult the manufacturer for detailed instructions.
Conclusion
You can connect your iPhone to a Vizio television using the Airplay 2 feature or the VIZIO Home app and cast content from the phone to the TV.
Some third-party apps suggest that they can also be used to cast from your iPhone to the TV, but that is highly unlikely. That is because these third-party apps require you to download an app on the TV or open a browser to scan a code. However, Vizio Smartcast TVs do not have a browser, nor do they allow downloading apps since all apps come pre-installed on the Smartcast platform.
Therefore, Airplay 2 and the Vizio Mobile App are your best option. If you encounter any Airplay connectivity problems, contact Apple for further assistance. You can also contact Vizio if you suspect the problem is with the TV and not the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why won’t my iPhone connect to my Vizio TV?
Answer: Various reasons could cause the iPhone not to connect to the TV. Some of these reasons include the following:
- The TV and iPhone are not on the same Wi-Fi network, or you have an unstable Wi-Fi connection.
- The TV’s or iPhone’s firmware is outdated.
- Airplay is not enabled on the TV.
Question: Is Vizio TV compatible with iPhone?
Answer: Vizio Smartcast TVs produced since 2016 are compatible with iPhones and can be connected using Airplay.
To enable Airplay on a Vizio TV, press the Smarcast Home button on the remote, then go to Extras, scroll to the Airplay option, and click OK. Then highlight the ON option and click OK.
Question: How do I know if my Vizio TV has Airplay?
Answer: All VIZIO Smartcast TVs produced since 2016 have Airplay, but you can confirm if yours does by checking for the Airplay option under Extras.
To get to Extras, press the Smarcast Home button on the remote and use the left/right navigation keys, select Extras and check whether Airplay is listed.
However, you should see the Airplay icon on the Smartcast home screen if Airplay was already activated.
