In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

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寻找一种方式将内容安装到Quest 2上,该内容在官方Quest商店中不可用,也没有经过Meta(以前称为Facebook)的事先批准?以下是我们使用SideQuest在Oculus Quest、Meta Quest 2和Quest Pro上加载内容的指南。

How to load content on Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro

While Meta (formerly Facebook) has implemented a strict console-like curation policy for the games and apps it searches or promotes on the Quest store, and this policy has resulted in strong sales growth for some developers, in VR, There's a lot more to see and do than what the Meta staff picks up.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

With SideQuest, you can play classic 1990s games from fan-created ports on Quest 2, including Doom (1993), Doom 2 (1994), Quake (1996) ), Quake 2 (1997), Half-Life (1998), Quake 3 Arena (1999) and even 2004's Doom 3. You can also stream PC VR content from the cloud through apps like Plutosphere, or install a custom home environment on the Quest to replace Meta's default options.

In short, sideloading content is how you can run content on your Quest that isn't listed or reviewed by Meta. There are a few setup and dos and don'ts to consider, but in general, sideloading allows Quest 2 users to go beyond the officially available downloads on the Meta servers.

Over the years, we've found SideQuest to be the easiest way to put content on Quest 2, Quest Pro, and the original Oculus Quest, and recent updates have made the software even more powerful.


'Sideloading' is the term used to refer to the loading of content onto modern computers from sources that have not been expressly approved by content moderators. It might sound scary, but in the sense that sideloading also applies to everyday technical situations. For example, downloading an unauthenticated program from the Internet and installing it on Windows is technically sideloading. So be careful when doing this, but it's not always as scary as it sounds.

On Quest, sideloading refers to the loading onto a device of content that has not been approved or verified by Meta and that will not appear on the official Quest store.

If there's a ton of high-quality optimized content in the Quest store, why would you need, or need anything else, on your device?

Sideloading allows users to perform actions that are not normally available on the device or found in the Oculus Store, such as:

  • Install a pre-release version released by the developer before the developer completes or releases the game.
  • Apps and files installed on the Oculus Store or through App Lab that are not available on the Oculus Store (either because they have been rejected or have not yet applied for listing).
  • Alternative builds using approved Oculus Store apps – Alternative builds may provide additional content when sideloaded that is not approved under the Store guidelines.
  • Load custom content – Some games and apps can support access to content you have stored on your device, such as a series of audio folders that you can listen to while playing a VR game.
  • Install tools that provide new insights into your use of Quest.

If you're wondering where to start, here's a list of some of the best things you can install on your Quest.

When the Quest first launched, the only way to get non-Store content onto the device was through sideloading. This continues until February 2021, when Oculus launches the App Lab. App Lab is essentially Meta's system through which developers can offer content on the Quest without being listed on the Oculus store.

Developers still need to submit an application to be approved on the App Lab – not everything makes it to the App Lab, although the vetting is much stricter relative to the Oculus store. As a user, you also won't be able to browse the full App Lab app selection list – instead, developers can send users links to unlisted apps, through which users can add content to their Quest library.

That's what SideQuest does. SideQuest essentially provides the Quest with a database of non-store content – it brings together App Labs and other non-store content in one place as one giant library so you can easily discover them.

In other words, SideQuest is the easiest way to browse, install and manage anything on Quest outside of the official listing store content.

Technically, you could sideload content onto the Quest using just the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands on your PC, but for most people, SideQuest is the easier option. It's an all-in-one app that works across multiple platforms and makes the process of discovering and sideloading content super easy.

Initially, it was only available on PC, Mac, and Linux, but now also offers a mobile app for Android and even a "VR app" that you can install and use directly on your Quest headset. Easy Installer" version.


The following first-time setup steps are required to sideload any content onto your Quest, no matter which method or version of SideQuest you use.

Make sure you have a USB cable connecting your Quest to your computer/phone.

If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use the charging cable that shipped with your Quest.

If not, you can use a USB C-to-A cable (which you probably already have) or use the cable and USB C-to-A adapter that came with your Quest.

If you plan on using an Android phone, you'll need USB C on one end and whatever port your phone uses on the other.

Register as a developer on the Oculus/Facebook account associated with your Quest.

In order to use your Quest in developer mode (which is required for sideloading), you need to first register with an Oculus/Facebook account registered as a developer organization.

Visit this page and make sure you are logged into the same Oculus/Facebook account that your Quest is registered with. Enter the new organization name and check the "I understand" box to agree to the Oculus Terms of Service.

Enable developer mode on Quest.

After registration, you can enable developer mode on your Quest through the Meta Quest mobile app (formerly known as the Oculus app) on your phone.

In the Meta Quest mobile app:

1. Find your Quest headset in the app, either through the default home page or by going to the Settings tab and tapping the Devices button.

2. Once the headset page is open, make sure it says "Connected" (if the app can't connect to your Quest, make sure your Quest is turned on, and your phone has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on)

3. Scroll down to the "Headset Settings" section.

4. Click on "Developer Mode"

6. Flip the switch from "off" to "on"

7. Completely restart your Quest - press and hold the side power button, then select Shut Down or Restart

After restarting, your Quest should enter developer mode.


Which version of SideQuest?

SideQuest, the VR version of Easy Installer, installs directly on your headset and is the easiest way to browse, download and install non-Store and App Lab content directly on Quest.

The VR app is technically a cut-down version of the original PC app, but it offers all the functionality you need to install content and sideload most apps.

It also allows you to browse some App Lab content through the app and install them directly in VR without leaving VR.

This is the easiest and most convenient option, and the one we recommend for most users.

The original SideQuest app for PC, Mac, and Linux offers the most functionality, but requires your Quest to be connected to a computer.

This version of the app has extra features not found in the other versions, such as adjusting hidden headset settings. For most people, this is not important and unnecessary.

SideQuest for Android covers the basics of browsing and installing SideQuest store content from your phone.

It requires a USB wired connection between your headset and phone. As with VR apps, the feature set of the Android version is not exactly the same as that of PC/Mac/Linux.


This (still in beta) version of the "Easy Installer" lets you install SideQuest directly on an Oculus Quest or Meta Quest 2 headset.

Make sure you have completed the first-time setup steps above.

Download SideQuest Easy Installer

go toSideQuest download pageAnd download the Easy Installer version for your system (PC, Mac or Linux).

Open Easy Installer and connect your Quest

Connect your Quest via USB and make sure it's turned on. Open Easy Installer.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

When you open Easy Installer, it should automatically display a button, "Install SideQuest in your headset" (pictured above).

If your headset isn't detected, it's likely that you didn't complete the first-time setup steps above correctly. Try running the steps again if needed (you can also click the "Open Installation Instructions" button on Easy Installer for an image instruction of the process).

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

Once the installation is complete, Easy Installer will spray confetti on the window and indicate that the installation is complete (as shown in the image above). You can now unplug your Quest.

Open and link SideQuest on Quest

After you install SideQuest, you can find it in the "Unknown Sources" tab of your Quest app library.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

You can find it by opening the App Library, then clicking the tab in the upper right.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

In Unknown Sources, you will be able to open SideQuest.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

SideQuest will show you a link code. Using a computer, mobile phone or Meta browser, go to sdq.st/link, log in at SideQuest (if you don't already have a SideQuest account, you'll need to create one now) and enter your headset's unique 6-digit code.

A dialog will pop up in the browser window confirming that you want to link your headset - click the link button in the lower right corner of the dialog.

Install and open content via SideQuest

Once your account is connected, you'll be able to browse and install SideQuest content on your headset without using a computer. Conveniently, SideQuest Easy Installer also lists some App Lab content, where you can also install them directly.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

To install an app, open its info page and tap the pink button. One of the following options will appear on the button:

  • "Install App (Sideloading)" - for SideQuest store content (pictured above)
  • "Installing the App (Oculus)" - for App Lab content

For the former, the app will download in SideQuest, and then you'll get a prompt asking if you want to install the app. Click the Install button. After that, you can open the app from the Unknown sources tab of the App library.

NOTE: The first time you do this, you may get an additional prompt about installing an unknown app - tap the Settings button on the prompt, then toggle the switch to allow SideQuest to install apps on your Quest, then go back to Apps and try again.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

For the latter, clicking the button will open a browser window, which will then redirect you to a page similar to the Oculus store for App Lab applications. Click the blue "Get" button (pictured above) - the app will download and install on your headset. You'll be able to find it in the App Library, along with other Oculus Store apps.


Install SideQuest on your computer

existSideQuest download page,Download and run the "Advanced Installer" version for your desktop operating system, which will install SideQuest and the necessary drivers for sideloading.

Allow USB debugging between your computer and Quest

After opening SideQuest and connecting your Quest to your computer, a prompt to "Allow USB debugging" will appear in the headset. Click OK and tick "Always Allow" to ensure you don't have to repeat this step in the future.

Side-install apps and games via PC/Mac/Linux

Before sideloading, check that SideQuest can connect to your Quest - a green dot should appear in the upper left corner, as shown in the image above.

If your Quest is connected via USB but SideQuest shows up as a red dot, make sure your Quest is turned on, connected properly, and performed the USB debugging steps correctly.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro

Once connected, you can browse all available content from the SideQuest homepage, as shown above. Once you find the app you want to install, tap the app to open its associated page.

Each game will have a pink installation button, the App Lab content is "Download App (Oculus)", and the other content is "Download App (Sideload)", as shown in the figure below.

In 2023, use SideQuest to install apps on MetaQuest 2 and Quest Pro
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