Sideloading your .apk on Quest

Enabling Developer Mode

In order to get access to its file system and install .apk files, your Quest headset needs to be in Developer Mode.

To enable it, open the Meta Horizon mobile app and select your headset. Then go to Headset Settings > Developer Mode to activate it.

Headset Settings

Developer Mode

Installing and Playing your App

Once you have your finished game or experience (or any intermediate test) exported as an .apk file, it’s time to import it into your VR headset. There are various ways for doing that, but the simplest might be the free software SideQuest.

Downloading SideQuest Open the SideQuest website. Click on Get SideQuest and scroll down to find the download link for your operating system—Windows, macOS, or Linux. Make sure you download the SideQuest Desktop App, not the SideQuest VR App. Install the app to your computer, then launch it.

If not done already, connect your Quest headset to your computer using a USB cable. A message might pop up in your Quest; confirm it to allow the headset to connect. Look at the upper-left side of SideQuest: your headset’s name should appear there along with a green dot ● .

If your headset appears with an orange dot ● , it could mean it's either not in Developer Mode or you need to allow it to connect through a popup message in the Quest.

If your headset does not show up and you still see a red dot ● next to a 'Not Detected' message in SideQuest, make sure your Quest is connected to your computer with a USB cable supporting data transfer.

Installing your App Through SideQuest

Once your Quest is connected, click on the 'Currently installed apps’ icon in the upper-right corner. The list of apps in your headset should appear.

Select 'Currently installed apps'.

You can now simply drag and drop your .apk file in the upper-left section of this window to install it. Wait for the installation process to finish (you can check this at the bottom of the panel or in the Running tasks section) before disconnecting our headset from your computer.

Drag your .apk file into the upper-left corner of the window.

Play your app

Inside your Quest headset, select Library. Since your app was installed manually, you won’t see it immediately alongside the other apps. Instead, click on the Unknown Sources section. Your app’s name should appear here. Click on it to launch it.