Meta Quest 2 has hundreds of official Quest Store games and thousands of indie App Lab games, plus social apps to play with friends and media apps to watch 2D movies in a virtual theater. There is no shortage of content. But you can enjoy even more classic 2D content on your headset by sideloading the emulator onto your Quest 2.
Some Quest 2 compatible emulators are directly supported through SideQuest, while others require a few more steps to activate. Download Game Rip (ROM) for these emulators The method is not covered here as it is a legal gray area. But if you have a ROM you’d like to enjoy in virtual reality, we’ve broken down how to use an emulator with your Quest 2 so you can get started.
Start by enabling sideloading via SideQuest
Sideloading used to be a difficult and time-consuming process, but now that SideQuest is able to install Quest 2 games wirelessly, enabling developer mode is a great way to enable third-party games and emulators. Background processes just got a whole lot easier.
1. Turn on your Quest 2 headset and set it aside.
2. metaquest app on your iPhone or Android phone.Tap Menu > Headset Settings > Developer Mode Toggle on.
3. Go to developer.oculus.com/ (opens in new tab) Create an account. You can enter anything, although you must declare that you are part of a business or organization.
4. Once your developer account is activated, you will see options below. Settings > System > Developer.
5. Visit sidequestvr.com/download to download the desktop application to your PC or Mac computer, or download the SideQuest app from the App Store. (opens in new tab) Or Play Store.We recommend that you download the advanced installer Because it simplifies setting up the emulator as you have access to all features.
6. Whichever you choose, Connect your Quest 2 to your device Via USB-C cable. The SideQuest application should detect your headset, so Install SideQuest on your headset.
This will allow the SideQuest app to be uploaded to the headset and will appear under the App Library. unknown sourceIn addition to the best SideQuest games, you’ll find PlayStation Portable and Gameboy emulators just a click away. download the app on each page. However, for other emulators you have to be a little more creative.
How to sideload the Quest 2 emulator
I’m not going to go into detail about how to set up all emulators like Dolphin or Retroarch. Ultimately, the emulator installation process is pretty much the same regardless of which emulator you choose.
(Note: Thanks to us AR/VR Tips (opens in new tab) For providing guidelines for installing the Quest 2 emulator)
1. Download .apk file for your emulator of choice.
2. Sidequest VR Advance app, click Manage files on your headset.
3. + icon then click blue folder icon to “create a new folder in this folderAdd any legitimate ROMs you have to this folder, as this is where your game ROMs will be stored.
4. Return to the main page and click Install an APK from a folder on your computerchoose .apk file Download and install first.
5. Unplug and power on your Quest 2 headset. in the quick menu app librarythen select unknown source From the top right drop down menu. You should see the emulator file you uploaded.
6. Open the emulator. Depending on the emulator you choose, you’ll see buttons for adding ROMs from the Quest 2’s internal storage. Click the button, navigate to the ROMs folder, and select one. After that the game should be loaded.
As a side note, these emulators will most likely not work with Oculus Touch controllers, so you will need to connect a third-party Bluetooth controller that is compatible with your emulator of choice. To connect a Bluetooth controller, Settings > Devices > Bluetooth > Pairing > Pair new deviceput the controller into pairing mode so that the Quest 2 can find it.
Now you’re ready to enter the world of Quest 2 emulators! If you need help deciding which emulators are worth trying out, here are a few from my previous article on the best emulators for Android. You can get some recommendations.
Our favorite Bluetooth controller, the Xbox Wireless Controller, is so ubiquitous that almost every emulator guarantees compatibility, so you won’t have any trouble working with it. Pairing with the Quest 2 is easy and he has one of the most ergonomic designs of any controller.