In this essay
Oculus Quest store is not very expansive, at least for now. But it can run any Android app – with a workaround.
I really wanted to access WordPress and Evernote apps to try productivity on the go.
Installing Sidequest
The route I chose for installing alternative apps is the app called Sidequest.
- Install sidequest “Advanced installer“
- It will lead you through all the steps, but here is the summary
- Create an organization on developer.meta.com to mark that you are a developer
- Go into Quest mobile app and turn on developer mode
- I recommend restarting the quest, otherwise you will have trouble finding your installed apps inside the apps menu
- Connect Oculus and your computer with a cable
- Go into the headset and allow the incoming cable connection. For some reason, I can only see the modal when I have the headset slightly off my face.
Sideloading APK
Now you can install Android apps to your quest. You will need APK (like .exe but for Android) files to do so. I trust APKMirror not to inject malware into them.
Once Sidequest connects to your Quest, you install the apps from your desktop..
Aurora Store
The easiest way to continue installing apps in the future is to install an alternative App store. One of those stores is Aurora store, which can install apps from Google Play Store and Amazon store.
You can get APK to aurora store from here
Once you install the APK, you will have to go grant a couple of permissions, and you will be able to search and install apps.
Accessing your installed Apps
If you remembered to reboot your headset after turning the developer mode, the apps will show under “Unknown Sources“
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