Many people purchase Vizio TVs because they are affordable and include rare TV features within the same price range. However, the TVs have some limitations, such as people finding it difficult to download new apps on the television.
Vizio TVs use the Smartcast platform that supports and comes with multiple pre-installed streaming apps and different features like Airplay. Unfortunately, the Spectrum TV app is not one of the pre-installed apps, and this leads one to wonder if they can download the Spectrum app since it’s free for Spectrum TV and Internet customers.
Read on to find out if you can add the Spectrum App to your TV and enjoy the different programs it offers.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
VIZIO SmartCast TVs come with a limited number of preinstalled apps. You cannot add new apps to your VIZIO TV – only VIZIO can do that.
Spectrum TV App is currently not supported by VIZIO’s SmartCast platform. Hopefully, VIZIO will add this app in the future.
If you want to watch the Spectrum TV app content on your VIZIO TV, you can install the app onto your phone or laptop and then connect the phone/laptop to your TV. You can choose between screen mirroring, casting, and hardwired connection.
To connect your iPhone to your VIZIO TV, you can use the AirPlay2 or one of Apple’s digital AV adapters.
To connect your Android phone to your VIZIO TV, you can use Chromecast or some USB-C to HDMI adapter.
To connect a laptop to your VIZIO TV, you can use AirPlay2 (Mac), Chromecast (Windows PCs), or an HDMI cable.
Finally, if you don’t want to connect your devices with your VIZIO TV, you will have to buy an external streaming device that supports the Spectrum TV app.
Can I Download the Spectrum App on a Vizio TV?
Vizio TVs use the Smartcast platform, which does not allow users to download apps. All compatible apps come pre-installed, and if you wish to use apps not available on the TV, you would have to download them onto your phone and mirror the screen to the TV.
VIZIO SmartCast – Supported Apps (Image Credit – VIZIO)
Fortunately, Vizio TVs have Airplay 2, which allows users to mirror their Apple devices to their TVs. Android users can also use the Chromecast feature that can allow them to watch content from the phone on the TV.
Older Vizio TVs that used the VIA and VIA+ platforms allowed downloading apps from the Yahoo store, but Vizio has phased out the use of this app store.
What Are the Alternatives?
Do not despair, as you can still download the Spectrum App onto your iOS or Android device and enjoy it on the TV. The suggestions below explain how you can do this.
Mirror Your iPhone to the TV
You can use the Airplay 2 feature on Vizio TVs and on iOS devices to mirror your phone’s screen on the TV. All you have to do is ensure Airplay 2 is activated on the TV and that the TV and iOS device, iPad, or iPhone uses iOS 12.0 or higher. The TV and the iOS device should also be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Once your devices meet the above conditions, you should check whether Airplay is activated on the TV. You can do this by following the steps below:
- Ensure the TV is on, and press the V or Smartcast Home button on the remote to open the Smartcast Input.
- Observe whether you can see the Airplay icon on the top right corner of the TV screen next to the cast icon. If the icon is present, then Airplay is active.
If the Airplay icon is missing, you can activate it by following the steps below:
- Press the V or Smartcast Home button on the remote.
- Use the left/right navigation keys to go to the Extras option and press OK.
- Scroll down to Apple Airplay and click OK.
- Highlight the ON option and click OK on the remote.
Enabling the AirPlay2 on a VIZIO TV
Assuming you have already downloaded the App from the Apple Store, open it, log in using your Spectrum credentials, and play a video of your choice.
Then tap the Airplay icon on the phone screen and select your Vizio TV. The TV might display a code you enter on the phone to complete the connection between the TV and your iPhone so you can continue watching on the TV.
Alternatively, you can open the control center on the iPhone and tap the Airplay icon. Then select your Vizio TV from the list of available devices and enter the code displayed on our TV. You should now see a replica of your phone screen on the TV, and you can go ahead and open the Spectrum TV app and continue watching.
How to Use the AirPlay2 on a VIZIO TV
Cast to the Vizio TV
If you have an Android device, you can use the Chromecast built-in feature to cast content from the Spectrum TV app on your phone to the TV. You can also use the feature to mirror your Android screen to the TV and continue using the Spectrum TV app on your phone but watch it on the TV.
To do this, you need an Android device with Android 5.0 or higher, and the device and TV should be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you ensure your devices meet the above stipulations, download the App from the Google Play Store.
Then you can open the control center on the Android device by swiping down from the top of the screen to reveal the quick settings.
Then select the Screen Cast icon and select the VIZIO TV. You should see your phone’s screen on the TV.
Alternatively, you can open the App on your phone and play whatever video you want to watch on the TV on your phone. Once the video is playing, tap the cast icon and select your Vizio TV.
Remember that the TV and the Android device should be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.
Casting Spectrum TV App from a Phone/Laptop to a VIZIO TV Using Chromecast
Use an Adapter
You can also use HDMI to USB C or Lightning port adapters to mirror your phone screen to the TV. Then you can open the Spectrum TV App on the phone and continue watching the TV.
To do this, you have to purchase a Lightning Digital AV Adapter if you have an iOS device or a USB-C to HDMI (Check on Amazon) adapter if you have an Android device.
| Adapters for iPhones | |
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Lightning to Digital AV
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USB-C Digital AV
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| Adapters for Android Phones (USB-C to HDMI) | |
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Anker AK-A83120A1
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UGREEN USB-C to HDMI
|
Then connect the adapter to your phone and insert one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI end of the adapter.
Next, connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the TV, then put the TV on the correct HDMI input, and you should see your phone screen on the TV.
You can then open the Spectrum TV app on the phone, select what you want to watch then continue watching on the TV. You can rotate the phone to landscape mode for a better watching experience.
Note: if you’re an Android user, you should be aware that not all USB-C to HDMI adapters are compatible with all phones/tablets. Read the adapter description carefully and look for the compatibility list. Also, check out the reviews before buying any adapter.
Get a Streaming Device
Another option is to purchase a streaming device like a Roku, Chromecast dongle, or an Apple TV and download the Spectrum TV app on any of these devices.
| Streaming Devices Compatible with Spectrum TV App | |
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Apple TV 4K
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Roku Ultra 4K
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How to Download the Spectrum TV App on a Roku Device
The steps to download the App differ depending on the streaming device, but all you have to do is access the app store and search for the Spectrum TV app. You can also visit the Spectrum site for instructions.
Installing the Spectrum TV App on an Apple TV
Use an HDMI Cable
You could also use the Spectrum TV website on your laptop or MacBook and link it to the TV via an HDMI cable. All you have to do is purchase a quality HDMI cable, connect it to the TV’s and laptop’s HDMI ports and enjoy watching the Spectrum TV app content on SpectrumTV.com. You will also need your Spectrum ID and password to log in.
| HDMI Cables for VIZIO TVs | |
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KabelDirekt 8K HDMI
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iBirdie 8K HDMI
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Conclusion
Since you cannot download the Spectrum app on a Vizio TV, you can resort to connecting your phone to the TV and using the App on the TV through your phone. However, you can also forgo the need for the Spectrum App and enjoy one of Vizio’s WatchFree+ channels available to Vizio TV users for free. Hopefully, the Spectrum App will be available on SmartCast in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does Vizio Smart TV have Spectrum app?
Answer: Vizio Smart TVs do not have the Spectrum TV app, and there is no way to download it on the TV. However, you can download the App on your phone and mirror it to the TV, and continue watching on the TV.
Question: How can I add apps to my Vizio Smart TV?
Answer: Unfortunately, you cannot add apps to a Vizio Smart television as they use the SmartCast platform. Only Vizio can add or remove apps from a Vizio television. However, you can download the App on a phone or laptop and mirror the screen to your Vizio TV.
Alternatively, you could get a streaming device like a Roku stick or an Apple TV, which allows downloading additional apps.
Question: Does Vizio TV have an app store?
Answer: Vizio does not have an Appstore as the Smartcast platform does not allow users to download apps on television. Older Vizio TVs that used the VIA and VIA+ platforms used the Yahoo Appstore, which is no longer supported.
