How to Install Apps

Getting Started

Windows PC

The Meta Quest 2/3 uses 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 MDMs 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)

Create a developer account with Meta. You can do this by going to this link and completing their signup process.
Verify your developer account by providing a credit card or mobile number.
If you have not used your headset, complete the initial headset setup/first-time user experience before continuing.
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
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.
Login to the phone app with the same developer account.
Connect your headset to the app if not completed during step 3.
From your phone, enable Developer Mode under the Headset Settings.
1. You can find this option by going to Menu > Devices > Pick the device you wish to use > Developer Mode. [Fig 3.a-b]
2. From this page, toggle Developer Mode to on. [Fig 3.c]

How to Install An APK 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).

*Downloading an APK directly to a Meta Quest device and attempting to install will not work due to security issues with sideloading unofficial Quest Store applications.

Meta for Business MDM

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

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

Login to the Meta for Work Admin https://work.meta.com/accounts_center/
Add the URL to the APK

Meta Quest Developer Hub (Windows/Mac)

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. [Fig 1.a]
1. You should see your device connected under the Devices tab. [Fig 1.b-d]
Click the “add build” button to select and install your APK to the headset. [Fig 1.e]

SideQuest (Windows/Mac)

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
1. You should see your device in the upper left corner [Fig 2.a]
Click the “Install APK” button and select your APK [Fig 2.b]
The install status can be seen in the “Running Tasks” tab [Fig 2.c]

Command Line (via link cable) Windows PC

Install ADB Drivers from here. ADB is the software that lets PCs transfer and installs apps onto Android-based devices like Meta Quest standalone headsets.
1. When the download finishes, unzip the downloaded file folder to a known location.
2. Right-click on android_winusb.inf and click Install.
3. When prompted click open followed by yes to get a message that says, "The operation completed successfully."
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\"knownFolderName" by selecting all the contents of the folder and copying(CTRL+C) and pasting(CTRL+V) it into the new location.
Make sure your headset is connected to your PC via a link cable(or compatible USB cable).
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.
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.
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 Meta Quest to connect to your PC. After this, in the command prompt, it should say "device" instead of unauthorized.
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".
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:
1. adb install -r C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\MyCoolNewApp.apk

How To Launch An APK App

MOTAR 3D

Launch MOTAR 3D
Open the Hub and find the app to launch
1. Click the app listing
2. Click the “Launch” button in the upper right corner.

3rd Party Install (SideQuest)

Meta Quest Menu (side-loaded)
Select the Library tab in the headset Meta Quest Menu
Select Applications from the left hand menu.
Open the top right drop-down and select Unknown Sources.
1. This will contain any VR apps you sideloaded onto your Quest.
Select the app to launch it.