How To Sideload On Meta Quest 2 With Sidequest On MAC

This site contains affiliate links to products, and we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Meta/Oculus Quest 2 is a great VR headset; it’s easy to use and doesn’t require a PC like other VR headsets. It has its store with a good selection of games and apps, but you’re not limited to what’s available there. You may wonder how to sideload on Meta Quest 2 with sidequest on Mac.

You can sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest 2 using the SideQuest VR app. To do this:

• Install SideQuest VR on your Mac.
• Enable Developer Mode on your Meta Quest.
• Connect your Meta Quest to your Mac using a USB cable.
• Open SideQuest VR on your Mac.
• Click on the “Install APK file from Folder” button.
• Select the APK file that you want to sideload onto your Meta Quest.
• Click on the “Install” button.

In this blog post, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to sideload on Meta Quest 2 with sidequest on Mac. I will also discuss why you need to sideload on Meta Quest 2 and what to keep in mind.

What is Sideloading

Before we get into how to sideload, let’s first discuss what sideloading is. Sideloading is the process of installing apps and games onto your Meta/Oculus Quest 2 that are not available on the Oculus Store.

You can sideload apps and games from various sources, but the most popular one is SideQuest VR.

SideQuest VR is a third-party app store that offers a variety of VR content you can’t find on the Oculus Store.

It’s easy to use, and you don’t need a PC; you can sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest using SideQuest VR on your Mac.

READ MORE! Can I Play Steam Games on Oculus Quest 2 Without A PC?

Why Sideload on Meta Quest 2

You might want to sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest for many reasons. These include:

1. Looking for a Specific Game

Perhaps you’re looking for a specific game unavailable on the Oculus Store.

For example, I sideloaded Beat Saber onto my Meta Quest because it’s not available on the Oculus Store (yet).

2. Getting Early Access to Games

Another reason why you might want to sideload is to get early access to games.

For example, if a game is in Early Access on Steam, you can sideload it onto your Meta Quest and start playing it immediately.

Save Money on Games

You can also save money by sideloading games.

For example, if a game is on sale on Steam, you can sideload it onto your Meta Quest and start playing it at a lower price.

3. Installing Unsupported Apps

You might also want to sideload apps that Oculus does not officially support.

For example, you can sideload the Netflix VR app onto your Meta Quest and watch Netflix in VR.

4. More Control Over Your Meta Quest

Sideloading also gives you more control over your Meta Quest. For example, you can install the ADB tool and use it to sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest.

This gives you more control over what’s installed on your Meta Quest and allows you to uninstall apps and games that you no longer want easily.

READ MORE! 18 Tips & Tricks For Oculus Quest 2 (You Need To Know!)

How To Sideload on Meta Quest 2 with SideQuest VR

SideQuest is a third-party app store that offers a variety of VR content you can’t find on the Oculus Store. It’s easy to use, and you don’t need a PC; you can sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest using SideQuest VR on your Mac.

To sideload on Meta Quest, follow these steps:

Step One: Download Sidequest

The first step is to download SideQuest VR onto your Mac. You can do this by visiting the SideQuest website and clicking on the “Download for Mac” button.

Step Two: Connect Your Meta Quest to Your Mac

Once SideQuest VR is downloaded, connect your Meta Quest to your Mac using a USB cable.

Step Three: Enable Developer Mode

Next, you’ll need to enable Developer Mode on your Meta Quest. To do this, open the Oculus app on your phone and go to Settings -> Device Settings ->Developer Mode.

Step Four: Launch SideQuest VR

Once you’ve enabled Developer Mode on your Meta Quest, launch SideQuest VR on your Mac.

Step Five: Click on the “Install APK File from Folder” Button

The next step is to click on the “Install APK File from Folder” button in SideQuest VR.

Step Six: Select the App or Game You Want to Install

Once you’ve clicked the “Install APK File from Folder” button, select the app or game you want to install from your computer.

And that’s it! Once you’ve followed these steps, the app or game will be sideloaded onto your Meta Quest. You can now launch it from the library section in SideQuest VR.

Things to Keep in Mind When Sideloading

When sideloading apps and games onto your Meta Quest, you need to keep the following factors in mind.

1. Warranty

You might void your Meta Quest’s warranty by sideloading apps and games onto it.

2. Security

Sideloading apps and games from unknown sources can be risky. Make sure that you only sideload apps and games from trusted sources to avoid malware and other security risks.

3. Compatibility

Some apps and games might not be compatible with your Meta Quest. Make sure that you check the compatibility of an app or game before sideloading it.

4. Stability Issues

Sideloaded apps and games might be unstable. This is because they haven’t been officially released and tested by Oculus.

Troubleshooting Tips if the Sideloading Doesn’t Work

If you have trouble sideloading apps and games onto your Meta Quest, here are a few troubleshooting tips that might help.

1. Restart Your Meta Quest

If the app or game you’re trying to sideload doesn’t appear in SideQuest VR, try restarting your Meta Quest. To do this, go to Settings -> Device Settings -> Developer Mode and toggle the “Restart Oculus when unplugged from computer” setting.

2. Check Your Firewall Settings

It might be due to your firewall settings if you still have trouble sideloading apps and games onto your Meta Quest. Go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Firewall to check your firewall settings.

3. Reinstall SideQuest VR

If you’re still having trouble sideloading, try reinstalling SideQuest VR. To do this, delete the SideQuest VR folder from your computer and then download SideQuest VR again from the SideQuest website.

You can also contact Oculus support for help if you’re still having trouble.

READ MORE! How Do You Factory Reset Your Meta Quest 2? (Solved!)

Popular Sideloaded Apps and Games

If you’re looking for some popular apps and games to sideload onto your Meta Quest, here are a few of the most popular ones.

Beat Saber

A rhythm game where you need to slash the beats coming at you. The popular game has been downloaded over a million times.

Superhot VR

A first-person shooter where time moves only when you move. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics.

Job Simulator

A virtual reality simulation game where you can experience what it’s like to have a job in various professions. The game is one of the most popular VR games of all time.

Tilt Brush

A painting app that lets you create three-dimensional art in virtual reality. The app is popular among VR artists and has been used to create incredible art pieces.

These are just a few of the most popular sideloaded apps and games. There are thousands of apps and games available to sideload, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

To sideload apps and games onto your Meta Quest, you need to use SideQuest VR on your Mac. Make sure that you only sideload apps and games from trusted sources to avoid security risks.

Additionally, keep in mind that sideloaded apps and games might be unstable. I hope this article helped teach you how to sideload on Meta Quest.