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APK SideLoading onto the Quest 2 & 3

The most complex part of sideloading APK files onto either the Quest 2 or 3 headsets is all in the setup. Here are the following steps you will need to do so:

  1. Create a meta developer account. This part is two-fold; first you create a regular meta account and in order for it to become a developer account, the email you used to create the account will need to be added as a developer to the project/organization of which you’re a part on developer.meta.com.

  2. You will need to download the Meta Quest Developer Hub app and sign in with the same address you created.

  3. You then will need to signin to your Quest device with your meta account; you simply goto profiles > add profile and then you’ll be given a code which you’ll use to log in. Note: If the headset in question is one that may have been checked out and has an Admin account on it, you will not be able to sideload through your profile but only the admins.

  4. You’ll need to either join the same wifi that your computer is on or you can setup a Hotspot on your computer which you can then connect to with your headset

  5. In the headset, goto Settings > System > Software update. 

  6. Open the Meta Quest Developer Hub and select Device Manager. In the top right corner, select “Set Up New Device”, click next and select your device model (Quest 1, 2, 3 etc..)

  7. Then you’ll need to select the serial number associated with your headset - if you are in a lab and there are other headsets around, you will see more than one option.

  8. Click next and make sure Developer Mode is enabled and make sure you allow access inside the headset. Connect your headset to your computer; make sure you have a proper Quest 2 Computer cable - a regular USB C to USB A cable (like the one you use for your phone) will not work. When you do this, a message should pop up in your headset to allowing access - if it doesn’t, reboot the headset and hubs and try again.

At this point you should have successfully connected your headset to your computer and it should be ready to sideload software onto. You do this by:

  1. Select the APK file you want to install and drag it over to the drag/drop panel that should now appear because your headset is connected or click the “Add Build” button to search for the APK manually.

  2. The cast button allows you to cast what you’re seeing in the headset and can be handy

  3. If you have additional content that needs to be installed and is not part of the APK, you will need to copy and paste it in File Explorer. First you’ll need to go inside your headset and find the notification that is asking you to allow usb access from your computer to your headset; once you do that, you’ll see the Quest device appear in File Explorer and you’ll be ready to copy files over

FootNote: we have to do this for the SDoH project but in order for certain folders to appear (com.DefaultCompany.sodh) I first had to run the APK as a shell with no content…

 

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