If Vista is not behaving as expected, start here. Everyday questions (reading, TV, walking, updates) are in FAQ’s. For first-week setup, see Getting Started. For every mode and setting, see the Vista User Guide.
Power and the remote
My phone or headset will not turn on. What should I do?
The phone is what powers on. The remote is separate — turning the remote on will not wake a phone that is off.
- Plug the USB-C cable into the port at the bottom of the phone, then into a wall charger. Leave it a few minutes if the battery may be empty.
- Press and hold the power button on the right side of the phone (the top side when it is in the headset) until the phone vibrates.
- Wait about 20 seconds for Welcome. Then turn the remote on.
If the screen lights up but you see a grid of Android app icons instead of Welcome, see I see the Android home screen.
Voice and the remote cannot power the phone off. Full shut-down is Power + Volume up, then Power off. Details: User Guide — Care and Maintenance.
How do I turn the remote back on?
The remote turns itself off after 30 seconds of no use. You also need to turn it on again after Vista sleeps, after you wake the phone, and after you power the phone on.
Press and hold the remote power button for one second until the blue light appears. Wait until Vista says “Your remote is connected.”
The remote will not connect. What should I do?
- Press and hold the remote power button for one second until the blue light appears.
- Wait up to a minute for “Your remote is connected.”
- If nothing happens, replace the remote batteries and try again.
The remote is already paired with your Vista. You do not pair it again.
How often should I restart my device?
We recommend restarting your Vista about once every 30 days to keep it running smoothly. Restart sooner if Vista feels slow or a mode will not recover.
Open the front cover so you can reach the buttons on the side of the phone.
- Press and hold the power button and volume up together for a few seconds.
- When the power menu appears, choose Restart if you see it. Otherwise choose Power off, then press and hold power until the phone vibrates.
Wait about 20 seconds for Welcome. Turn the remote on again.
Iris
How do I turn Iris off?
- Go to Settings (stick, or “open settings”).
- Choose Iris.
- Press Action on the Iris row (the master switch). Confirm if Vista asks.
When Iris is off, she will not listen or speak. The Voice button will not start a command. You cannot turn her back on by voice.
Turning Iris Talk off only silences spoken prompts. Commands still run. That is not the same as turning Iris off.
How do I turn Iris back on?
Use the remote — not voice.
- Go to Settings.
- Choose Iris.
- Press Action on the Iris row to turn her on.
Then press Voice and wait for the yellow microphone, or turn on Iris Listen if you want to start a command by saying Iris.
Iris does not understand me. What should I do?
- Press Voice (or say Iris only, if Iris Listen is on). Wait for the chime and the yellow microphone.
- Then speak. Do not say “Iris” and the command in one breath.
- Use a short phrase — “go to reading,” “sleep,” “read this,” “what is this mode for?”
- If you change your mind, say “stop” or “never mind” and try again.
- Check Settings → Language so menus and Iris match the language you are speaking.
- If she misses her name, raise Iris Sensitivity under Settings → Iris. If she wakes on other speech, lower it.
Iris never opens menus. Use the stick and Action for menus.
My voice commands aren't working. How do I fix it?
- Confirm Iris is on: Settings → Iris. If the master switch is off, turn it on with the remote.
- Raise Volume in Settings so you can hear her.
- Press Voice and wait for the yellow microphone before you speak.
- To wake by name, turn on Iris Listen. Say Iris, wait, then say the command.
If she still does not respond, restart the phone (How often should I restart?) and try again. If this continues, contact support.
I see the Android home screen. What should I do?
Sometimes Vista closes after an unexpected error and you see the Android home screen — a grid of app icons — instead of Welcome or a viewing mode. You are not supposed to use Android as a phone. Get back into Vista:
- Open the front cover so you can see and touch the phone screen.
- Find the IrisVision app (the iris icon) and tap it.
- Wait until Welcome appears. Close the cover, put the headset on, and turn the remote on.
If you cannot find the app, power the phone off and back on:
- Press and hold power and volume up together.
- Choose Power off.
- Press and hold power until the phone vibrates. Wait for Welcome.
Do not open other apps, download anything, or change Android settings. That can conflict with Vista.
If the Android home screen keeps coming back, contact support.
YouTube, Movies, and Books
These modes need Wi-Fi. Viewing modes such as Scene and Reading work without it.
YouTube, Movies, or Books will not load. What should I do?
YouTube, Movies, and Books use third-party services, and those services are sometimes unavailable.
- Open Settings → Wi-Fi and confirm Vista is on and connected to your network.
- Ask Iris “battery” if you are not sure the headset is up. A very low battery can interrupt media.
- Leave the mode and open it again, or restart the phone if it is still stuck.
- If it still does not work, try again later.
YouTube, Movies, or Books will not search. What should I do?
Search also uses third-party services, and those services are sometimes unavailable.
- Confirm Wi-Fi is on and connected (Settings → Wi-Fi).
- Press Voice and say “search” plus what you want — for example “search Italian recipes.”
- If nothing comes back, try again later.
Say “clear search” to return to the featured list.
Using the phone
Can I use the device as a personal phone?
Your Vista device should be used only with the preloaded IrisVision software. Downloading additional apps is not advised, as they may conflict with our software.
Can I use the Vista device to make phone calls?
Vista cannot make phone calls; the phone does not have cellular service.