How To Install APK File to Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 Or Meta Quest 3S

If you searched Google for “How To Install APK File To Meta Quest”, you’ve come to the right place.

This comprehensive guide will go through every step you need on understanding how to install custom standalone software (in .apk format) onto your Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S. (Guide is up to date as of March 2025)

If you’re business and partnering with a VR Training Provider to train your employees, chances are you will have received a ‘build file’ from them. This build file is an apk file that can be opened from your headset to launch the program, similarly to how you open applications normally on your computer or mobile devices, the difference is apk files won’t launch the application unless you open them from an mobile android device, which Meta Quest counts as.

Keep reading to go through all the steps from setting up your headset, to downloading and installing the application and opening it.

If you’re a gamer and looking for a guide for installing custom VR games that aren’t available in the Quest Store, this guide will work for you too.

1. Setup the Quest Headset

Before being able to install custom applications on your Meta Quest you’ll need to make sure your headset is set up and linked to your Meta Quest account. You’ll need a mobile phone and a Meta Quest developer account which is free for anyone to create.

• On your phone or tablet, download and install the Oculus mobile app for Android or iOS.

• Sign in with your developer account. *If you do not have one, sign up to be an Oculus developer. (Note: Oculus will not charge you for adding your credit card details)

• If it is the first time you sign in, follow the instructions to set up your VR profile.

• Pair your headset, and then follow the instructions to complete the setup.

For detailed instructions read the official Getting started with your Meta Quest.

2. Put the Quest in Developer Mode

To install applications outside of the official Meta store, you need to enable Developer Mode on your headset. This allows you to ‘sideload’ apps and access additional settings. (You don’t need to be a real app developer to do this.)

• Once logged in, on the headset go to: Settings > System > Developer

• Turn on the USB Connection Dialog option.

• On your mobile app go to: Devices > Developer Mode

• Use the toggle to activate Developer Mode.

• Wear the headset on your head, and connect the VR headset to your computer using a USB-C cable while wearing it.

• Press ‘Allow’ for any prompts that appear in the headset.

3. Download the standalone build file (.apk)

With Developer Mode now enabled, you’ll be able to download the application you want to install. The app will typically come as a compressed .zip file containing the .apk build depending on how you received it.

If you received a .zip file:

• Download the .zip file containing the apk build

• Unarchive the .zip file

If you received a .apk file:

• Download the .apk file

4. Install the application using SideQuest 

With the application build file downloaded onto your computer, the next step is to install it into your Meta Quest headset using SideQuest, a tool designed for sideloading applications onto Meta Quest devices.

Sideloading simply means installing an application via a third-party, unofficial source, but SideQuest is a safe and trusted software which will allow you to install VR applications to your headset that aren’t from the official Meta Store.

• Install SideQuest. Using your PC/Laptop, go onto the website and you can download the latest version of SideQuest. There are two types of the application on the site, you will need the Advanced Installer.

Download Link: https://sidequestvr.com/setup-howto

• With your computer and headset connected via USB cable, Open SideQuest.

• In the top left corner, you should see a connected headset. If not, click on ‘Open Setup Instructions’ and follow the troubleshooting steps.

  

• Next, click on the application installation icon.

  

  

  Selecting the apk file in the pop-up window on PC

• Next, select the Apk file you want to install and wait for installation.

  

  This is what you see if you’re installation has started

  

  Now your installation is complete

• Next, put your headset on and go to apps and unknown sources and select the application you want to use. In the headset, please select: App Library → Search App Panel → drop-down list on the right with the selected All → Unknown sources → (The Application)

And there you have it, your application should be visible for you to select and open.

By following these steps, you’ve successfully set up Developer Mode, installed SideQuest, and sideloaded an application onto your Meta Quest. If you need to install applications in the future, your computer system and Meta Quest should be set up already so you can skip the steps of installing SideQuest or setting up developer mode.

But, if you ran into any issues here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Double-check that Developer Mode is enabled on that specific VR headset
• Make sure that your headset is on and properly connected to your PC throughout the installation and SideQuest process.
• Make sure your headset wasn’t completing any OS updates after being turned on.
• If you see a ‘Not Detected’ sign on the SideQuest application, take your cable in and out of the headset while keeping it on your head, then use your VR controller to click the ‘Allow’ or ‘Always allow’ options from the prompt in the headset. If this doesn’t help, try following the setup instructions in the SideQuest application.
• Make sure you are using the latest version of SideQuest, and try again.

Thank you for using this guide, I hope it’s been able to help you. SHIIFT is a provider of blended training solutions including VR training, so if you’re interested in having custom VR applications for your company, get in touch to discuss everything you need to know to get started.