How To Install Apk On Oculus Quest
Looking for a manner to install content onto your Oculus Quest that's non bachelor on the Oculus Store and isn't approved past Facebook? Here's our guide to sideloading content on Oculus Quest or Quest 2 using SideQuest.
This article was originally published in November 2022 but has been updated and re-published several times, nearly recently in April 2022 to include a guide on using Android phones for sideloading. All the instructions below will work for both the original Quest and Quest 2.
The Oculus Quest launched in May 2022, followed by the Quest 2 in October 2022. Both headsets are standalone, and then in that location'due south no need for an external tethered console or PC – everything is managed on the device itself. As a event, Facebook decided to implement a curation policy for content that appears on the Quest through the Oculus Store. This policy operates in a similar manner to traditional consoles like an Xbox or PlayStation, but information technology was a relatively new thought for VR. Nonetheless, it has seen some strong results for certain developers.
With the curation policy, however, also sprung 1 clear, immediate question: will in that location be a way to run other content on the Quest that'south not curated by Facebook on the Oculus Store?
The short answer? Yes, by sideloading.
What is sideloading?
'Sideloading' is a term applied to content loaded onto modern computers from sources not explicitly approved by content reviewers. It tin sound scary, and while you should take care when sideloading, the term as well applies to everyday tech situations. For case, downloading a unverified programme from a site on the Internet and installing it on Windows is technically sideloading. Keep with caution, but it's not e'er as scary every bit information technology sounds.
In relation to Quest, sideloading refers to the procedure of loading content onto the device that is not approved or verified by Oculus and does not appear on the Oculus Store. If you install anything on your Quest that is outside the curated store content, you're sideloading.
Why, and what, would I sideload?
Skillful question! If the Quest has all this wonderful, curated and optimized content in the store , why would you ever put anything else, or demand anything else, on your device?
Sideloading allows users to do things that you can't do normally on the device, or can't find in the Oculus Store, such every bit:
- Install pre-release builds released by a programmer, before the game finished and/or released.
- Install apps that are not available on the Oculus Store or through App Lab (either as they were rejected, accept not yet practical for a listing, or otherwise).
- Utilise an alternating build of an approved Oculus Store awarding – alternating builds tin can offers additional content when sideloaded, which isn't approved under the store guidelines.
- Load custom content – certain games and apps may back up custom content installation.
- Install tools that offer new insight into how you lot're using your Quest.
If y'all're wondering where to commencement, here'south a list of some of the all-time content bachelor to sideload onto the Oculus Quest .
App Lab vs SideQuest
When the Quest first released, the only way to install non-Store content onto the device was through sideloading. This remained the instance up until Feb 2022, when Oculus launched App Lab.
App Lab is essentially some other method of installing not-Store content onto your Quest, but is far easier than sideloading.
However, not everything is bachelor on App Lab — developers notwithstanding demand to submit applications for approval onto the App Lab service. While the curation is not nearly as strict as the Oculus Store, not everything will be available every bit an App Lab app.
With that in heed, sideloading non-Store content onto your Quest will remain a requirement for certain content that is non available on App Lab.
To learn more almost App Lab apps, where to detect them and how to install them, nosotros take a whole separate guide you can read.
If the content yous want to install on your Quest is not available equally an App Lab app, then continue on to read more about sideloading.
How do I sideload?
Technically, anyone tin sideload content onto their Quest past simply using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands from their PC, if the Quest is in programmer way. Yet, if you don't know what that means (and most people probably don't) then there's a much easier solution: SideQuest.
SideQuest is a third-political party PC, Mac, Linux and Android awarding that makes sideloading content onto your Quest super easy. It has a store page featuring a bunch of popular apps available via sideloading and a couple of extra features (which you can read most hither). SideQuest does require some initial starting time-fourth dimension setup, but after that it becomes very simple – virtually deportment are only a few clicks away via a user-friendly interface.
SideQuest used to be limited to simply computers, merely a new Android app released in April 2022 allows you to sideload via SideQuest using just your phone.
First Time Setup: Getting everything ready
In that location are two ways to apply SideQuest — via the PC application or via the mobile application for Android (there is no SideQuest iOS app, so iPhone users volition have to stick to their computer for sideloading).
Regardless of which you choose, there's a couple of initial setup steps yous'll need to consummate first in society to use SideQuest on any platform.
This is all just a one-time setup activeness – you won't need to do this every time you want to sideload something, simply the starting time time.
Make sure yous have a USB cord to connect your Quest to your figurer/phone.
The charging string that ships with the Quest is the small reversible USB-C connector on both ends. If your estimator/phone has a USB-C port, y'all can use that.
If not, you lot'll need more equipment. For a computer, you could apply a USB C to A cord (which you might take lying around the house) or a USB C to A adapter, to apply with the Quest's cable.
If y'all plan on using your Android phone, you'll need a USB C cord that plugs into whatever port your telephone uses.
Register as a developer on the Oculus business relationship associated with your Quest.
In lodge to utilise your Quest in Developer Mode (which is required for sideloading), you lot'll demand to register equally a developer organization first.
Visit this page and make sure you're logged into the same Oculus business relationship that your Quest is registered to. Enter a new organization name and tick the 'I sympathise' box to agree to the Oculus Terms of Service.
Enable Developer Fashion on your Quest.
Now that you're registered as a developer, you lot'll be able to enable Developer Mode on your Quest. You can practice this through the Oculus app, with the phone that is linked to your Oculus business relationship/your Oculus Quest.
Open the Oculus app on your phone, with your Quest turned on so it can connect to the app, and then:
1. Tap 'Settings' in the lesser right
2. Locate your Oculus Quest listed in the Settings tab, and make sure it reads 'Connected. (If the app tin't connect to your Quest, yous may demand to top on the Quest in settings to attempt and manually make the app connect. If it still tin't connect, make sure your Quest is turned on, and your phone has Bluetooth and WiFi turned on as well)
iii. Tap on the arrow button next to your device, to reveal more options
4. Tap the 'More Settings' button
5. Tap on 'Developer Fashion'
6. Flick the switch to On instead of Off
7. Fully reboot your Quest – hold down the power push on the side and select 'Power Off' or 'Restart'. Yous Quest should fully reboot in order to properly start in Developer Fashion.
After rebooting, your Quest should be in Developer Mode.
SideQuest for PC/Mac/Linux
If you want to employ SideQuest on your computer, read this section. Otherwise, skip to SideQuest for Android if y'all simply desire to utilise your telephone.
Install SideQuest on your computer
Go to the SideQuest downloads page and download the install file for your operating system. Run the installer, which will install SideQuest and the necessary drivers y'all need for sideloading.
Let USB debugging between your computer and your Quest
This should also be a one-fourth dimension setup step, if done properly.
1. Open SideQuest on your computer.
2. Turn on your Quest and ready a guardian.
3. Plug your Quest into your computer.
four. Inside your Quest, not on your computer, you should meet a request to "Allow USB debugging."
5. If you lot don't desire to accept to press OK on this screen every fourth dimension you plug your Quest into your reckoner, make sure the 'Always let from this computer' box is ticked.
6. Press OK.
Congratulations! Your Quest and PC should now be gear up to easily sideload apps via SideQuest.
Some notes:
All of the steps above should be a one-time process for the computer and Quest. All the same, if you want to utilise a unlike estimator, yous will need to install SideQuest and allow USB debugging for that device.
In the past, Quest firmware updates have sometimes disabled Developer Mode. In the outcome your Quest receives an update and is no longer working with SideQuest, go dorsum to the Oculus app and double bank check the Programmer Mode is switched on. If y'all need to turn it dorsum on, you'll also demand to restart your Quest.
Sideloading Apps and Games (Computer)
Once everything is fix as per the in a higher place, sideloading apps and games is very piece of cake.
Some games and apps are available straight through SideQuest, assuasive a seamless installation process, while others are just available to download externally. If y'all download an app externally, y'all can still use SideQuest to install it.
Once your Quest is plugged into your calculator and SideQuest is open, double check that SideQuest is able to connect to your Quest. The top left side of SideQuest should evidence a greenish dot and say "connected" later on the SideQuest version number (see below for reference):
If SideQuest has a red dot and says 'disconnected' or 'unauthorized', double check that your Quest is on, connected properly and you completed all of the setup steps properly (especially the USB debugging permission steps).
Sideloading content from the SideQuest shop folio
In the SideQuest app on your figurer, you tin can browse and search all of the available content from the app'due south homepage. Only scroll down on the landing page until you lot see the 'all games and apps' section, every bit pictured beneath.
This is where you tin can browse through games and apps and view descriptions and screenshots of each. If you lot would similar to install i, just click on the listing for the app or game and press the 'Install to Headset' push (see below).
SideQuest will and so install the game or app. To check the progress of installation or ensure everything installed correctly, y'all tin can click on 'Tasks' push on the elevation right (circled in red below) and if the app was downloaded and installed correctly, you will run into a bar reading "APK file installed ok!!" (too pictured beneath).
And that's all in that location is to it! You've successfully sideloaded ane of the apps from the SideQuest store.
Sideloading an .apk from an external source
There are also plenty of apps that y'all might detect online instead of on the SideQuest store. After downloading them online, these app tin can too be sideloaded onto the Quest using SideQuest.
In this example, the developer will probably link you lot to an APK (.apk) file. You can easily use SideQuest to sideload Quest APK files. All y'all need to do is click on the 'install APK file from folder' push button (see below, circled in carmine).
This will let you to locate and select the APK file you downloaded. SideQuest will so install the application or game onto your Quest, like to how information technology would do then for one of the official SideQuest apps. You can check the install is successful in the 'Tasks' tab, as described higher up.
SideQuest for Android
As of April 2022, SideQuest launched a new Android app that allows you to sideload apps using just your phone. Information technology's Android simply for now — there's no iOS app/back up, so iPhone users will have to stick to the computer method above.
Installation
The SideQuest app is available to download on the Google Play Shop. Install the app on your Android device of selection.
Allow USB debugging betwixt your computer and your phone
This should exist a i-time setup stride, if done properly.
1. Unlock your phone.
2. Turn on your Quest and set upwardly a guardian.
3. Plug your Quest into your telephone using a USB cable.
four. Your phone will ask if you want SideQuest Installer to handle Quest/Quest 2. Printing yes, and tick the always checkbox if y'all don't desire to encounter the prompt every time you connect your Quest to your phone.
4. Within your Quest, not on your figurer, yous should see a request to "Allow USB debugging."
v. If yous don't want to accept to press OK on this screen every time you plug your Quest into your phone, make sure the 'Always allow from this figurer' box is ticked.
6. Press OK.
vii. You lot may meet some other prompt in your Quest asking if y'all desire to allow your phone to admission the Quest'due south data. Click yeah.
Congratulations! Your Quest and Phone should now be prepare up to easily sideload apps via SideQuest.
The SideQuest logo in the middle of the toolbar at the bottom of the app should have a green dot next to it if everything is continued properly, pictured above. If not, effort unplugging and replugging your Quest and/or repeating the steps above if necessary.
Sideloading Apps and Games (Android)
Once everything is prepare up as per the to a higher place, sideloading apps and games is very piece of cake.
Once your Quest is plugged into your telephone and SideQuest is open, double bank check that SideQuest is able to connect to your Quest by verifying the dark-green dot on the logo in the lesser toolbar of the SideQuest app. If it's red or bluish, see the steps higher up.
In the SideQuest app, y'all tin can browse and search all of the available content from the app's homepage. Browse SideQuest to notice the content y'all desire to install.
Once you've found something yous desire to install, open up that app'southward listing page, pictured below.
To install the app, click the "Install to Headset" button.
The app will brainstorm downloading and and so installing — y'all can check the progress in the downloads tab on the app's toolbar.
One time the install is finished, the progress bar volition read 'Success'.
A note on App Lab apps
The above process is for sideloading content that is non available on App Lab. However, SideQuest does also support App Lab apps — these will bear witness a 'Download on Oculus' push button instead of the 'Install to Headset' push. Clicking on this will redirect you to the Oculus App, where y'all tin install App Lab content straight. To read more about that procedure, meet this guide.
Alternate Method: Wireless Android Sideloading
It's as well possible to ready wireless sideloading capabilities using the Android app by enabling wireless ADB. Some phone models can use the SideQuest app to enable wireless, while others tin't.
To enable wireless ADB through the SideQuest mobile app, connect your Quest to your phone via USB and open SideQuest. Click on the wireless toolbar button on the far left. On this screen, yous can printing 'Enable Wireless'.
Once you've done this, you can disconnect your Quest from your phone and press the 'Connect' button next to the IP accost at the bottom of the wireless carte of the SideQuest app. This will connect your Quest to SideQuest wirelessly, provided yous're on the same network, and allow you to sideload apps without a USB connection.
After enabling wireless capabilities, you shouldn't need to connect your Quest physically again for a while. SideQuest should remember your Quest's local IP address, assuasive you to only press the connect button every time you want to sideload. If SideQuest forgets your Quest's local IP address, you can find this in the Wi-Fi settings of your Quest by long-pressing on the network the headset is continued to.
If your headset is rebooted or the bombardment dies, wireless ADB will be disabled and you lot'll take to perform the steps higher up again.
For some telephone models, wireless ADB cannot be enabled through the SideQuest mobile app — you'll have to employ the calculator SideQuest app or stick to a wired connection.
Launching Sideloaded Apps
Sideloaded apps will launch just similar whatsoever other regular Quest app, however they won't appear in exactly the same place.
Regardless of whether it was installed via SideQuest on a computer or through Android, the process for launching a sideloaded app on Quest is the same.
In your Quest's library, any sideloaded apps or games will appear in a different category called 'Unknown Sources'. If you lot're using the original Quest UI, this volition appear as a tab on the left mitt side of the library browser. On the newer Quest UI, in that location will be a Unknown Sources category in the library'southward drop downwards menu on the tiptop right. Yous can launch your sideloaded apps from at that place.
A give-and-take of caution…
When sideloading, you do need to proceed in mind that yous are putting content onto your device that has not been canonical past Facebook and could potentially damage your device or exist malicious in nature, even if it doesn't appear so at first.
It is likewise important to be aware of the Oculus Content Guidelines when sideloading content, to ensure y'all're not violating anything with the content you're sideloading onto your device. You might want to requite our report on Oculus' Content Guidelines and sideloading a read before you bound into the thick of it.
Hopefully this guide has helped you begin to navigate the globe of sideloaded content on Oculus Quest.Proceed an eye out for our list of best content to sideload onto your Quest in the next few days.
Nevertheless got some questions? Pop them downward in the comments below and nosotros'll try to respond as best nosotros can.
Source: https://uploadvr.com/sideloading-quest-how-to/
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