Installing an APK using SideQuest Guide

Owned by Sara Johnston
Last updated: Dec 13, 2023 by Catherine Hillier (Unlicensed)
3 min read

To learn about the basics of Motive and getting set up, check out the Platform Essentials course in Motive Academy.

 

Quick Links

What is SideQuest?

SideQuest is a desktop app for Mac/Windows/Linux which allows you to browse and install content on your Oculus Quest via sideloading. 

Step 1: Install SideQuest

You will only need to install SideQuest once (other than app updates).

  1. Go to SideQuest and install the Advanced Installer (LTS) on your computer (in the process follow the instructions to ensure that your headset is in developer mode and install drivers (Windows only)).

  2. Connect your headset to your computer via USB cable. Once you are connected you will have to allow USB debugging access on your headset. If you put your headset on at this point you will see something like the image below. You should also select “Always allow from this computer” to prevent this message from coming up every time you connect:

When complete, you should see a green dot in the top left of the SideQuest app. Whenever you connect your headset to the computer, you will see this:

If you see a red dot, the headset is not connected to the computer:

 

Step 2: Upload APK to SideQuest

You will complete these steps for every new version of an SDK.

  1. Motive or your Assembler will provide you with the APK.  Download the APK to your computer.

  2. Open SideQuest on your computer and connect your headset via USB cable. When you do so, you will see the green dot on the top left of your screen:

3. In the top menu bar click on the icon with downwards arrow:

 

4. Choose the APK file on your computer. You will see your task processing, represented by a number at the top of the app screen (1 for 1 item processing):

 

You will see a green notification bar at the bottom of the screen once it's complete:

5. Disconnect the headset from the computer.

 

Step 3: Accessing APK in Headset

You will follow these steps every time you want to use the APK on the headset

  1. Put on your headset.

  2. In your main menu, click on the square icon that is a grid of dots - these are your Apps:

 

3. Click into the search bar at the top:

 

4. Open the dropdown:

 

5. Choose “Unknown Sources” from the dropdown:

 

6. From there you should see your app and can open it by choosing it from the list:

 

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