File Type: APK
You downloaded an APK for Oculus Quest now what?
Getting Started
The Oculus Quest uses files called APKs to install apps. When interacting with an APK downloaded from MOTAR Hub, the developer can side-load the application to the Oculus Quest device.
First Time Setup
Create an account with Oculus. 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.
Install an Oculus app on your phone and log in with your newly created Meta account.
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 > Developer Mode. From this page, toggle Developer Mode to on.
To do this, you have to be a registered “developer.” Go to the oculus dashboard on your computer and create an organization.
How To Install An App
There are two ways to install an app onto the headset, either using the Oculus Developer Hub (via Wi-Fi or link cable), or the Command Line (via a link cable).
Oculus Developer Hub (via Wi-Fi or Link Cable)
Download the Oculus Developer Hub(ODH) here. Next, unzip the file and install it by double clicking on it and running through the installation wizard.
After setting your device to Developer Mode, you can open up the Oculus Developer Hub app to view your "connected" device under the Device Manager tab.
Drag and drop the desired APK into the Oculus Developer Hub window to begin the installation process. Download Progress is tracked on the Device Manager page under the Apps Section.
Command Line (via link cable)
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."
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.
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 Oculus 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:
adb install -r C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\MyCoolNewApp.apk
How To Launch A Sideloaded App From Your Headset
When you put on your headset, select App library to navigate to your apps. Then open the top right drop-down and select Unknown Sources. This will contain any VR apps you sideloaded onto your Quest. Select the app to launch it.
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