How to Get Started with SideQuest to Sideload Apps on Oculus Quest VR

Want to enjoy the games outside of Quest Store or watch Netflix and use other programs? Thanks to SideQuest that is specially designed to streamline sideloading apps on VR headset. Although, Oculus Quest has a fantastic library of games and apps, possibly sometimes you may want to install and play other games or use other apps that aren’t available on Quest library. Oculus VR is an Android device, and it means your Quest is also running on Android OS and supports Android files. It is capable of running APK (Android) files. You can install Android games or apps on your Oculus Quest VR and use them as others. So, you can  play your favorite Android games or watch videos on Netflix on your VR.

Here is how to get started with SideQuest to sideload apps on Oculus Quest VR

Unlocking Developer Mode

Before SideQuest when the Quest was just launched, sideloading apps and games onto it were still possible. But, the procedure at that time was a bit lengthy; users had to do it through Command Prompt. After that, SideQuest has arrived and made everything simpler and easy. In order to add external games and apps, you’ll need to set up SideQuest on your VR first. The initial procedure for this requires some additional work, but is simpler. At first, make sure your Quest has developer mode enabled. Here is how to enable developer mode on Oculus Quest.

1.   Download the ‘Oculus’ app on your Smartphone, if you didn’t have it.

2.   Then, open your ‘Oculus’ app.

3.   Go to its ‘Settings.’

4.   Choose your Quest headset on which you want to sideload the apps.

5.   Now, touch on the ‘Arrow’ next to your headset name. This displays more options in a dropdown. Do this only when the option does not appear automatically.

6.   Then choose ‘More Settings.’

7.   Open ‘Developer Mode’ and turn its switch on. This will redirect you to a website if you’re doing so for the first time.

8.   Go to the bottom of the webpage and touch the ‘Create an Organization’ link.

9.   Sign in with our Oculus account.

10.                      Fill up your organization name.

11.                      And choose ‘Submit.’

12.                      Read the terms of the agreement and select ‘Agree.’

13.                      Now, reopen the ‘Oculus’ app.

14.                      Go to ‘Settings.’

15.                      Again, choose the Quest headset on which you want to sideload the apps.

16.                      Touch on the ‘Arrow’ next to your headset name to open more options dropdown.

17.                      Then choose ‘More Settings.’

18.                      Open ‘Developer Mode’ and turn its switch on, if not already.

Downloading and Setting up SideQuest on your computer

After enabling developer mode for your Quest headset, you need to get your system ready with SideQuest. The app is available on GitHub.

1.   Open a browser and visit the GitHub website.

2.   Then, look for the right version of SideQuest for your device and select it to download.

3.   After that, open the downloaded file. Windows will now pop up “Windows protected your PC” dialog box on the screen.

4.   Click on ‘More info’ text in the pop-up window.

5.   Then click on the ‘Run anyway’ button.

6.   Select ‘Extract.’

7.   Now, you’ll be asked to select a folder to extract.

8.   Open the folder with name “SideQuest-win32-x64”.

9.   Then, double click on the ‘SideQuest.exe’ file.

Connecting your Oculus Quest and SideQuest

After installing SideQuest, connect it to your Quest headset to complete the setup process and installing applications. Here is how.

1.   Obtain a USB-C cable.

2.   Then, connect your Quest headset to your computer via USB-C cable.

3.   Open the ‘SideQuest’ app and select ‘Connect Device.’

4.   Now, ‘Allow USB debugging’ on your Quest headset.

5.   Then select ‘Always allow from this device.’

6.   Next, choose ‘Install App Launcher’ in your desktop SideQuest app to download the ‘App Launcher.’

Once the Oculus Quest installs, it will create an Unknown Source folder in your headset’s library where you can find your sideloaded apps and games. Now, you’re all set to download and install apps on your Oculus Quest VR.

How to sideload apps on Quest VR with SideQuest

You can now sideload the apps available in the SideQuest library as well as from outside. Here is how.

Installing SideQuest library apps

1.   Open ‘SideQuest’.

2.   Find an app to install.

3.   Click ‘More.’

4.   And choose ‘Install.’

Installing an APK file

1.   Open ‘SideQuest’.

2.   Open ‘Repos.’

3.   And here drop your APK file.

Now, enjoy your installed game or app on your Quest headset.

James Boond  is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, John has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as norton.com/setup .

source :  SideQuest Apps