How to Use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2

Oculus Quest 2 is now available for purchase, and many people already have it. If you’re one of them, you probably wonder how to use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2. Also, you’ll need to know How to install games from SideQuest and also how to install games from SideQuest new cutting-edge technology that lets you explore exciting places around the world without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home if you want to get the most out of your Oculus Quest 2. It’s completely risk-free and has no side effects.

This short guide will assist you in doing so! If you want to learn more about how to use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2, keep reading!

How to Use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2

SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2 comes with many pre-installed apps, but it also has an app store where you can get more. You’ll find various SideQuest games, entertainment options, and even educational tools to enhance your Quest experience. Let’s see how to use SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2. How to download games from SideQuest on oculus quest 2? And everything you need to know about using the app store to its full potential!

What Does It Mean To Sideload?

Content loaded onto modern computers from sources not explicitly approved by content reviewers is referred to as “sideloading.” While you should exercise caution when sideloading, the term also applies to everyday tech situations. For example, sideloading is downloading an untested program from the Internet and installing it on Windows. Please proceed with caution; however, it is not always as frightening as it appears.

Sideloading is the process of loading content onto the device that Oculus has not approved or verified and does not appear on the Oculus Store. You’re sideloading if you install anything on your Quest that isn’t from the curated store.

How does SideQuest work in Oculus Quest work?

SideQuest is a store where you can get more apps for your Oculus Quest, and it’s an entirely safe way to watch cutting-edge VR content and expand the capabilities of your standalone VR headset. We make it easier for users to access content that isn’t yet available on the Oculus Store. We serve as a testing ground for developers to validate their work and get their communities off the ground. Users and developers will always have access to SideQuest for free.

Because the Oculus Quest 2’s architecture is similar to an Android device, anyone can install ADB on their platform and use commands to sideload content. However, most users are unaware of how to use SideQuest on oculus quest 2? ADB, and frankly, it’s not worth the trouble in this case.

SideQuest Installation and Use

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for information on how to use SideQuest on oculus quest 2. If you’re unfamiliar with SideQuest, it’s a place where you can download SideQuest games and apps for your Quest 2 headset and play titles that aren’t available on the Oculus store, including fan-made VR ports of classic games like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D.

In short, SideQuest games has some of the best free oculus quest 2 apps, and its well worth a look, and fortunately, sideloading isn’t as difficult as you might think.

Here’s how to use SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2 without further ado.

1 – Getting Things in Order

We’ll be working with third-party software called SideQuest, which is user-friendly. We understand your eagerness to begin the procedure. However, before we start, you must complete the following steps.

SideQuest is available in two versions: a PC application and an Android mobile application (there is no SideQuest iOS app, so iPhone users will have to stick to their computer for sideloading).

Regardless of which option you choose, there are a few initial setup steps you must complete before using SideQuest on any platform. It is just a one-time setup procedure; you won’t have to do it again unless you want to sideload something else.

2 – Install Sidequest on Your Computer

Naturally, we’ll need the official software to complete the process. So go ahead and install SideQuest (Free) on your computer. The installation will also install the required USB drivers, saving you time.

3 – Make an Organization

You must enable developer mode on your headset to install apps and games. You must first register as a “developer” on the Oculus website. This procedure is free, quick, and simple to implement. Create an ‘organization’ at dashboard.oculus.com on your PC. You’ll have to accept the developer agreement first. After that, either a credit card or a phone number will be required to verify your account. If your account has already been verified, you may be able to skip this step.

headset to install apps and games

After that, you’ll need to set up an organization like this:

How to Use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2

4 – Install Drivers (Windows Only; Skip This Step If You’re Using Android, Mac, Or Linux)

Install your device’s driver software. Download the drivers for your headset from developer.oculus.com on your PC. The Oculus Go drivers also support the Quest. To install the drivers, unzip the folder, and right-click the android winusb.inf file, and select install from the menu.

5 – Reboot after Enabling Developer Mode

Open the Oculus app on your smartphone or tablet now that you’re a “developer.” Tap the headset in the Settings tab and then ‘More settings.’ Developer Mode should now appear in the list. It’s a good idea to reboot your headset after enabling developer mode so you can see it on the device.

6 – Allow USB Debugging By Connecting A USB Cable

Plugin your USB cable now. You’ll need to allow USB debugging access on your headset once you’ve connected. If you put your headset on now, you’ll see something similar. To prevent this message from appearing every time you connect, select ‘Always allow from this computer.’

How to Use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2

That’s it! You’re successfully completed!

Once completed, the Quest 2 details will appear on the SideQuest app, along with a green dot showing success. If you selected always allow, this was a one-time step you won’t have to repeat. However, sometimes Quest 2 updates disable developer mode again. If this happens, follow the instructions in the relevant section above to get it back up and running.

How to Use SideQuest in Oculus Quest 2

Important Tip:

  1. As we always recommend with this, make sure it fully charged your Oculus Quest 2 headset before starting the sideloading process.
  2. In the Oculus app, go to Settings > Quest > More Settings > Unlock Pattern and disable Unlock Pattern. For more information, see the image in Step 3.
  3. Instead of the cable that came with your Quest, try using a phone USB cable.

How to Download Games from SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2

How to Download Games from SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2

Let’s take a look at how to sideload games to oculus quest (Computer).

With sideloading apps and games, everything is simple. Some games and apps are available directly through SideQuest, allowing for a smooth installation, while it must download others from another source. You can still use SideQuest to install an app that you downloaded elsewhere.

Double-check that SideQuest can connect to your Quest once it’s plugged into your computer and SideQuest is open. The green dot on the top left side of SideQuest should say “connected” after the SideQuest version number.

Check that SideQuest displays a red dot with the words ‘disconnected’ or ‘unauthorized’ and that you have followed all the setup steps (especially the steps for USB debugging permission).

1 – Content from the SideQuest Store Page Is Being Sideloaded

How to Download Games from SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2

From the app’s homepage, you can browse and search all of the available content in the SideQuest app on your computer. Scroll down the landing page until you see the section labeled “all games and apps,” as shown below.

How to Download Games from SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2

It is where you can look through games and apps, read descriptions, and see screenshots. How to sideload games to oculus quest? If you want to install one, go to the app or game listing and press the ‘Install to Headset’ button.

The game or app will then be installed by SideQuest. Upon successfully downloading and installing the app, you will see a bar that reads “APK file installed successfully!!”. You can check if everything is running smoothly by clicking on the ‘Tasks’ button on the top right (circled in red below). 

How to Download Games from SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2

That’s everything there is to it! You’ve successfully installed one of the SideQuest store’s apps.

2 – How to Sideload Games to Oculus Quest

How to install games from SideQuest?There are also many apps available online that are not available in the SideQuest store. After being downloaded online, these apps can also be sideloaded onto the Quest using SideQuest.

The developer will most likely direct you to an APK (.apk) file in this case. You can easily sideload Quest APK files with SideQuest. It’s as simple as clicking the ‘install APK file from folder’ button.

How to Sideload Games to Oculus Quest

It will enable you to find and select the APK file you downloaded. SideQuest will then install the app or game on your Quest like one of the official SideQuest apps would. In the ‘Tasks’ tab, as described above, you can verify that the installation was successful.

Android’s SideQuest Setting

SideQuest launched a new Android app in April 2021 that allows you to sideload apps using only your phone. For the time being, it’s only available for Android; there’s no iOS app or support, so iPhone users will have to rely on the computer method described above.

Installation

Apps like SideQuest are available from Google Play Store. Download the app for android of choice. Allow your computer and phone to communicate via USB debugging. To do it correctly, this should only require a one-time setup.

  1. Get your phone unlocked.
  2. Start your Quest and designate a guardian.
  3. Use a USB cable to connect your Quest to your phone.
  4. SideQuest Installer will ask if you want it to handle Quest/Quest. 2. If you don’t want to see the prompt every time you connect your Quest to your phone, press yes and check the Always checkbox.
  5. You should see a request to “Allow USB debugging” inside your Quest, not on your computer.
  6. Make sure you check the ‘Always allow from this computer box’ if you do not want to have to press OK on this screen every time you plug your Quest into your phone. 
  7. Press OK.
  8. Another prompt in your Quest may appear, asking if you want to allow your phone access to the Quest’s data. Yes, please.

If everything is connected correctly, the SideQuest logo in the middle of the toolbar at the bottom of the app should have a green dot, as shown above. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging and replugging your Quest and repeating the steps above.

Apps and Games Can Be Sideloaded (Android)

Once everything is set up, you can easily sideload apps and games. Once you have connected your Quest and opened SideQuest, double-check that SideQuest can touch your Quest by verifying the green dot on the logo’s bottom toolbar. If the color is red or blue, follow the steps above.

From the SideQuest app’s homepage, you can browse and search all available content. Explore SideQuest for the best free oculus quest 2 apps to download. Open the app’s listing page, as shown below, once you’ve found something you want to install.

Apps and Games Can Be Sideloaded

Click the “Install to Headset” button to install the app. The app will start downloading and then installing, and you can check the status in the download tab on the toolbar. The progress bar will read ‘Success’ once the installation is complete.

Note to App Lab apps

The steps outlined above are for sideloading content that isn’t available on App Lab. SideQuest supports App Lab apps, which will display a ‘Download on Oculus’ button rather than an ‘Install to Headset’ button. Selecting this will take you to the Oculus App, where you can download App Lab content directly.

Wireless Android Sideloading Is an Alternative Method

You can also set up wireless sideloading capabilities by enabling wireless ADB in the Android app. There are some devices that are compatible with the sideQuest app but others are not. 

Connect your Quest to your phone via USB and open SideQuest to enable wireless ADB through the SideQuest mobile app. Press the wireless toolbar button to move to the left. On this screen, press the ‘Enable Wireless’ button.

After that, disconnect your Quest from your phone and press the ‘Connect’ button next to the IP address in the SideQuest app’s wireless menu. If you’re on the same network, this will wirelessly connect your Quest to SideQuest, allowing you to sideload apps without a USB connection.

You shouldn’t need to connect your Quest again after enabling wireless capabilities physically. SideQuest should remember your Quest’s local IP address, allowing you to sideload by pressing the connect button. If SideQuest forgets your Quest’s local IP address, you can find it by long-pressing on the headset’s network in the Quest’s Wi-Fi settings.

Your headset will be disabled if you reboot it or the battery dies, and you’ll have to repeat the above steps. The SideQuest mobile app can’t enable wireless ADB for some phone models; you’ll have to use the computer SideQuest app or stick with a wired connection.

On Oculus Quest, the Best SideQuest Games to Sideload

SideQuest has a lot to offer gamers, including a massive library of FREE games anyone can sideload onto their headset, and it’s completely safe! The oculus quest is a fantastic piece of hardware that already has many splendid games on the official quest store, but what are the best SideQuest games it offers? Let’s check it out!

1 – Ultras Fighter

Ultras Fighter is a sandbox anime fighting game designed to give you a unique and creative perspective on being a hero, just like in your favorite anime!

Ultras Fighter

Ultras Fighter uniquely combines three popular gaming concepts: anime, fighting, and a sandbox approach. They combine to create a high-octane virtual reality experience in which you fight hordes of hostile cacti-men in a desperate yet unmistakably hilarious fight for survival.

They’ve created a unique VR locomotion system that allows you to move around the map by punching in the direction you want to go! Freeze time to gain a tactical advantage and defeat your opponents, like in The Matrix.

2 – Seeker VR

Have you wanted to ride a broomstick around Hogwarts since you first read the books or saw Daniel Radcliffe whizzing around in Quidditch over a decade ago? Now is your chance to shine.

Harry Potter game,

Seeker VR, an unofficial Harry Potter game, allows you to open a chest containing the quaffle, the snitch, and was there the third ball? While you won’t be competing in actual matches, flying around the Quidditch pitch with Hogwarts in the background is still fun.

You can even take off from the pitch and fly around the surrounding forests and Hogwarts grounds! Everything is also well-organized.

3 – Gorilla Tag

It doesn’t get much simpler than this, but this multiplayer tag game is refreshing during the increasingly impressive VR games that are cropping up these days.

Gorilla Tag

Tag is an age-old game in which it designates one person as “it” and must catch and pass one of their teammates. For four or more players, there’s also the ‘Infection’ mode, which sees more and more players become ‘it’ until everyone is chasing the one remaining player!

Gorilla tag has a unique hook in that you move around using the momentum of your arms (you know, like a gorilla). It’s a clever minor feature that adds to the game’s complexity.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to use SideQuest on Oculus Quest 2 and how to sideload games to Oculus Quest, you can start installing all the legal apps and games from places other than the Oculus store. If you’re a newbie who stumbled across this page, you should first learn how to set up and use the Oculus Quest 2 before sideloading anything. So, which apps do you intend to download? Please let us know in the comments section.

Frequently Asked Question

Q: Is SideQuest compatible with Quest 2?

A: SideQuest is entirely risk-free. SideQuest is fully open-source, so you can look at the source code whenever you want and be confident that it isn’t messing with your Oculus Quest headset.

Is sideloading permissible?

The content on the sideload is unlimited. Users can sideload restricted or banned content in their countries, such as material that expresses unpopular or illegal opinions or pornography.

Is it possible to be banned from sideloading?

It is not always illegal to sideload. Facebook has a set of instructions on how to proceed. However, Quest has not approved or verified the content, and it is not available in the Oculus Store. Facebook is now working on an ‘official’ SideQuest-style platform for developers to share their experimental apps.

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