File Type: APK

You downloaded an APK for Oculus Quest now what?

Windows

Getting Started

The Meta Quest 3 (and Meta Quest 2, Pro, 3s) use files called APKs to install apps. When interacting with an APK downloaded from MOTAR Hub, users can side-load the application to the Meta Quest device.

Installing “ad hoc” applications to a Meta Quest device requires either a Meta for Business MDM account, a developer account, 3rd party software, or a 3rd party MDM*.

*3rd party MDM’s differ in functionality and are not covered in this guide. Please contact your MDM provider for details on how to install apps.

First Time Setup (Developer Mode)

1. Create a developer account with Meta. You can do this by going to this link and completing their signup process.

2. Verify your developer account by providing a credit card or mobile number.

3. If you have not used your headset, complete the initial headset setup/first time user experience before continuing.

4. Install the Meta Horizon app on your phone and log in with your newly created Meta account. (This step is an optional part of the first time user setup in the headset and may have been completed previously.)

   1. Download for Android here

   2. Download for iOS here

5. Login to the headset using the same developer account.

   1. You may have to logout if your current account in the headset is not the same as the developer account setup in step 1.

6. Login to the phone app with the same developer account.

7. Connect your headset to the app if not completed during step 3.

8. From your phone, enable Developer Mode under the Headset Settings.

You can find this option by going to Menu > Devices > Pick the device you wish to use > Headset Settings > Developer Mode. Toggle Developer Mode to ON

How To Install An App

There are three ways* to side-load an app onto the Meta Quest headset, using the Meta Quest Developer Hub (via Wi-Fi or link cable), the SideQuest application, or the Command Line (via a link cable).

Meta for Business (MDM)

1. https://work.meta.com/help/323729803480003/?helpref=hc_fnav

   Adding apps to the Meta for Business accounts is covered in the above documentation.

2. Login to the Meta for Work Admin https://work.meta.com/accounts_center/

3. Add the URL to the MDM Distribution List

Meta Quest Developer Hub (MQDH)

• Follow Meta’s device setup guide here

• The following steps may repeat portions of the Meta guide

• Download the Meta Quest Developer Hub(ODH) here.

  1. Next, install it by double clicking on it and running through the installation wizard.

• Login with your developer account

• Connect your Meta Quest headset to your computer via the Link Cable or AirLink

• After setting your device to Developer Mode, you can open up the Developer Hub app to view your "connected" device under the Device Manager tab.

MQDH Device Manager

• You should see your device connected under the Devices tab.

MQDH Connected Devices

MQDH Device added but not connected.

MQDH Device connected.

• Click the “add build” button to select and install your APK to the headset.

MQDH add a build (APK)

• Your apk will now install on your Meta Quest 3.

• To launch the app, see How To Launch A Sideloaded App From Your Headset

SideQuest

SideQuest is a 3rd party tool which allows installing software outside of the Meta Quest Store (ad hoc). SideQuest is community run and the developers work closely with Meta to allow developers a platform for showcasing their early work. Recently, Meta has allowed some integration with SideQuest via the Meta Quest Labs.

• Download the SideQuest application here. Next, install it by double clicking on it and running through the installation wizard.

• Once installed, connect your headset to the computer via Link Cable or AirLink

  • You should see your device in the upper left corner

SideQuest App with Meta Quest 3 connected via link cable

• Click the “Install APK” button and select your APK

SideQuest Install APK

• The install status can be seen in the “Running Tasks” tab.

SideQuest check running tasks.

SideQuest current running task list.

Command Line (via link cable)

*Windows PC ONLY*

1. Install ADB Drivers from here. ADB is the software that lets PCs transfer and installs apps onto Android-based devices like Oculus standalone headsets. When the download finishes, unzip the downloaded file folder. Now right-click on android_winusb.inf and click Install. When prompted click open followed by yes to get a message that says, "The operation completed successfully."

2. Next, you need to download the SDK platform tools from here. Extract the contents of the platform-tools folder to an easy-to-find folder on your PC, such as C:\ADB\users\"YourName" by selecting all the contents of the folder and copying(CTRL+C) and pasting(CTRL+V) it into the new location.

3. Make sure your headset is connected to your PC via a link cable(or compatible USB cable).

4. Open the Command Prompt. Right-click on the Windows Start button at the bottom left of your screen and click Command Prompt (Administrator) or click on the windows icon and type "cmd" and press enter.

5. In the command prompt type "adb" and a string of text should pop up if you completed everything correctly, but this message will pop up if the ADB drivers and platform tools weren't installed properly: 'adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

6. Type "ADB devices" to view "List of devices attached" with the device listed below(represented by a list of numbers and letters). It will most likely say "unauthorized" next to that so you will need to put on your headset and select "Always allow from this computer" or "allow" to allow your Oculus to connect to your PC. After this, in the command prompt, it should say "device" instead of unauthorized.

7. Install the app via command line by manually entering in the file path and app name or copying the path. To copy the path, hold shift, right-click on the APK file, and select "copy as path".

8. In the command prompt, type adb install -r command followed by the full path to the sideloaded app you want to install then press enter. It should say "success" in the command prompt if everything worked correctly. Example: adb install -r C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\MyCoolNewApp.apk

How To Launch A Sideloaded App From Your Headset

MOTAR 3D

• Launch MOTAR 3D

• Open the Hub and find the app to launch

• Click the app listing

• Click the “Launch” button in the upper right corner.

3rd Party Install (SideQuest)

• Select the app to launch it.

• Open the top right drop-down and select Unknown Sources.

  • This will contain any VR apps you sideloaded onto your Quest.

• Select Applications from the left hand menu.

• Select the Library tab in the headset Meta Quest Menu

• Meta Quest Menu (side-loaded)

Meta for Business MDM

• Navigate to the Library tab

• Click “For Work”

• Find app and click to launch

Mac

The installation process for Mac is nearly identical to the Windows guide, with the exception of the final method (using the command line). All other software listed under the Windows section also has versions available for Mac.