How to Sideload Content on the Oculus Quest 2 2024

Micheal Micheal
November 17, 2023
How To

The Oculus Quest 2 is a remarkable virtual reality headset that offers an immersive gaming and entertainment experience. While the official Oculus Store provides a wide range of content, you may also want to explore additional apps and games that are not available through official channels. This is where sideloading comes into play. Sideloading allows you to install and run third-party applications on your Oculus Quest 2, expanding your options beyond what is offered in the Oculus Store. In this article, we will guide you through the process of sideloading content on your Oculus Quest 2.

Before diving into the process, it is important to address the legality of sideloading on the Oculus Quest 2. While sideloading itself is not illegal, it is essential to respect the intellectual property rights of developers and content creators. It is crucial to only sideload content that you have obtained legally. Piracy is not only illegal but also harms the developers who have put their time and effort into creating the content you enjoy. Always ensure that you have the necessary rights or permissions before sideloading any content onto your Oculus Quest 2.

How Do I Sideload Content on the Quest 2?

Now that we have established the importance of legal sideloading, let’s explore the steps required to sideload content on your Oculus Quest 2.

Things You Should Do Before You Begin

Before you start sideloading content onto your Oculus Quest 2, there are a few preliminary steps you should take to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.

  1. Download and Install SideQuest on Your PC: SideQuest is a popular platform that enables you to sideload content onto your Oculus Quest 2. Visit the SideQuest website and download the application for your PC. Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions to set it up.
  2. Register as an Oculus Developer: To sideload content on your Oculus Quest 2, you need to register as an Oculus developer. Visit the Oculus Developer website and create an account. Follow the registration process, providing the necessary information and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
  3. Enable Developer Mode on the Quest 2: To enable sideloading, you need to activate Developer Mode on your Oculus Quest 2. Connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your PC using a USB cable. Open the Oculus app on your PC, go to “Settings,” select your device, and enable Developer Mode.
  4. Make Sure to Have a USB Cable for Connection: A USB cable is required to establish a connection between your Oculus Quest 2 and your PC. Ensure that you have a compatible USB cable available.
  5. Keep Your Quest 2 Charged: Sideloading content can take some time, and you don’t want your Oculus Quest 2 to run out of battery during the process. Make sure your headset is fully charged or connect it to a power source to avoid any interruptions.

How to Allow USB Debugging Between Oculus Quest 2 and SideQuest

Before you can start sideloading content, you need to enable USB debugging between your Oculus Quest 2 and SideQuest. Follow these steps to allow USB debugging:

  1. Connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your PC using the USB cable.
  2. Put on your Oculus Quest 2 headset and navigate to “Settings” in the main menu.
  3. Select “Device” and then “Developer” from the left-hand side menu.
  4. Toggle on the “Developer Mode” option.
  5. Open the SideQuest application on your PC.
  6. When prompted, grant USB debugging access by selecting “Always Allow From This Computer” on your Oculus Quest 2 headset.

Congratulations! You have successfully allowed USB debugging between your Oculus Quest 2 and SideQuest, enabling you to sideload content onto your headset.

How to Sideload Content to Quest 2

Now that you have completed the necessary preparations, let’s explore how to sideload content onto your Oculus Quest 2.

Sideload Content from the SideQuest Store

SideQuest offers a vast library of sideloadable content. Here’s how you can sideload content from the SideQuest store:

  1. Launch the SideQuest application on your PC.
  2. Browse the available content and select the app or game you want to sideload.
  3. Click on the “Install” button next to the selected content.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  5. Once the installation is complete, disconnect your Oculus Quest 2 from your PC and put on the headset.
  6. In the Oculus Quest 2 main menu, navigate to “Library” and find the sideloaded content under the “Unknown Sources” section.
  7. Select the sideloaded app or game to launch and enjoy your newly installed content.

Sideloading .APK File onto the Oculus Quest 2

If you have specific .APK files that you want to sideload onto your Oculus Quest 2, follow these steps:

  1. Download the .APK file for the content you want to sideload onto your PC.
  2. Launch the SideQuest application on your PC.
  3. Connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your PC using the USB cable.
  4. In the SideQuest application, click on the “Install APK File” button.
  5. Locate and select the downloaded .APK file.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  7. Once the installation is complete, disconnect your Oculus Quest 2 from your PC and put on the headset.
  8. In the Oculus Quest 2 main menu, navigate to “Library” and find the sideloaded content under the “Unknown Sources” section.
  9. Select the sideloaded app or game to launch and enjoy your newly installed content.

How to Sideload Content to Oculus Quest 2 Wirelessly

If you prefer a wireless method for sideloading content onto your Oculus Quest 2, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the SideQuest application on your PC.
  2. Connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your PC using the USB cable.
  3. In the SideQuest application, click on the “Enable Wireless” button.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the wireless setup.
  5. Once the wireless connection is established, disconnect your Oculus Quest 2 from your PC and put on the headset.
  6. In the Oculus Quest 2 main menu, navigate to “Library” and find the sideloaded content under the “Unknown Sources” section.
  7. Select the sideloaded app or game to launch and enjoy your newly installed content.

How to Launch Sideloaded Content on the Quest 2

Once you have successfully sideloaded content onto your Oculus Quest 2, launching it is a breeze:

  1. Put on your Oculus Quest 2 headset.
  2. In the main menu, navigate to “Library.”
  3. Scroll through the list of apps and games until you find the sideloaded content under the “Unknown Sources” section.
  4. Select the sideloaded app or game to launch and enjoy your content.
Related Articles
Logo