VR Sideloading Guide

How to install the FastMediaSorter VR APK on Meta Quest without using a store.

Prerequisites

  1. Meta Quest headset - Quest 3, Quest Pro, or Quest 2
  2. USB-C cable - to connect the headset to your PC
  3. Developer Mode enabled on your Quest
  4. ADB - Android Debug Bridge (included in Android SDK Platform Tools)

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode

  1. Open the Meta app on your phone
  2. Go to Menu → Devices and select your headset
  3. Tap Headset Settings → Developer Mode
  4. Toggle Developer Mode to ON
  5. Restart your headset

If you don’t see the Developer Mode option, register as a Meta developer at developer.meta.com first.

Step 2: Install ADB

If you already have Android Studio or Android SDK, ADB is at:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools\adb.exe

Otherwise, download Platform Tools from developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools and extract to a convenient location.

Step 3: Connect Quest to PC

  1. Connect your Quest to the PC via USB-C
  2. Put on the headset - you should see a dialog asking “Allow USB debugging?”
  3. Check “Always allow from this computer” and tap Allow
  4. Verify connection in terminal:
adb devices

You should see your device listed as device (not unauthorized).

Step 4: Build the VR APK

# Option A: Build script (auto-versions + copies to DOWNLOADS/)
.\scripts\builders\build-vr-debug.ps1

# Option B: Gradle direct
.\gradlew.bat assembleVrDebug

The APK will be at:

app_v2/build/outputs/apk/vr/debug/app_v2-vr-debug.apk

Or, if using the build script, also copied to:

DOWNLOADS/FastMediaSorter_vr_debug.apk

Step 5: Install on Quest

# Option A: Build + install in one step
.\scripts\builders\build-vr-device.ps1

# Option B: Manual install
adb install -r -d DOWNLOADS\FastMediaSorter_vr_debug.apk

Step 6: Launch on Quest

The app appears in Unknown Sources in the Quest library:

  1. Put on your headset
  2. Open App Library
  3. Select Unknown Sources from the filter dropdown (top right)
  4. Find FastMediaSorter VR and launch it

You can also launch via ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.sza.fastmediasorter.vr.debug/com.sza.fastmediasorter.ui.main.MainActivity

ADB over Wi-Fi (Wireless)

To avoid the USB cable after initial setup:

# While still connected via USB:
adb tcpip 5555

# Disconnect USB, then connect wirelessly:
adb connect <quest-ip-address>:5555

Find the Quest IP address in Settings → Wi-Fi → Connected Network → Details.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
adb devices shows unauthorized Put on headset and accept the USB debugging dialog
adb devices shows nothing Check USB cable, try a different port, ensure Developer Mode is on
App not visible in library Look in Unknown Sources section
App crashes on launch Check logcat: adb logcat -s FastMediaSorter
XR runtime not available Ensure Quest firmware is up to date