Sometimes, we might need to transfer files, documents and even apps from our computer or mobile phones to VR headsets. If you have your own VR content such as 360-degree videos, you may want to watch them in a VR environment. Some VR apps and games you like may not be accessible on the official headset store. In such cases, you can obtain them from third-party app stores and install them onto the headset. If users want to install apps that are not available on the official app store for the VR headset, they might need to engage in side loading. Different VR headsets may have different file transfer procedures and side loading tools. For example, SideQuest is a third-party platform and application that enables users to sideload content, including apps and games, onto their Oculus Quest virtual reality headset.
To exchange files and data between mobile phones and Meta Quest or Oculus Quest, you can use a wireless file transfer app or cloud service. In this guide, I will show you several free ways and apps to transfer or send files, like pictures, videos, documents, website links, URLs, text, messages, from Android mobile, iPhone or iPad to Oculus Quest.
Method 1. Transfer files from Phone to Oculus Quest via Snapdrop
Snapdrop is a web-based file-sharing service that allows users to transfer files between devices on the same local network without the need for additional software installations or accounts. We can use it to instantly share images, videos, PDFs, and links with people nearby. Peer2Peer and Open Source. No Setup, No Signup.
Step 1. Connect both mobile phone and Oculus Quest to the same Wi-Fi
This web service works over local Wi-Fi network without internet connection. Compared to a cloud service, this would be much faster as it downloads directly from the phone to headset，no need to upload and download through the internet.
First of all, we have to connect both your mobile phone, Android or iPhone, and Oculus Quest to the same Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you won’t be able to find the other device through snapdrop.
Step 2. Send files from mobile phone to Oculus Quest using SnapDrop
Launch the Meta Browser on your headset to visit the snapdrop website(https://snapdrop.net/).
Then open a web browser on your mobile phone, such as the Safari browser on your iPhone or Chrome for Android, to access the snapdrop.net website.
You can then find Oculus Quest from your iPhone. To send files from iPhone to Quest is easy. Simply tap on the Meta Quest, then a dialog pops up where you can choose to select photos, videos or other files on your iPhone and send them to Oculus Quest. Long tap on Oculus Quest to paste a link, web address, or type in any text, code, message and send from iPhone to the Meta Quest headset.
Go to Meta Quest headset to accept the files from your iPhone. You can use this free and wireless solution to transfer or send files, like pictures, videos, documents, website links, URLs, text, messages, from iPhone or iPad to Oculus Quest. The file transfer works the other way around as well. You can also choose files on the Meta Quest and send them to your iPhone or iPad.
Method 2. Transfer files from iPhone to Oculus Quest using Documents app
The Documents app by Readdle is a popular and well-regarded option for managing and sharing files on the iPhone. Readdle is a reputable developer known for creating productivity and utility apps for iOS devices, and Documents is one of their versatile apps. You can easily share files from the Documents app using various methods. For example, its built-in Wi-Fi file transfer allows users to quickly move files between iPhone and computer on the same local network.
Step 1. Connect both iPhone and Oculus Quest to the same Wi-Fi
The Documents app Wi-Fi file transfer tool can help you copy files from iPhone to Oculus Quest or the other way around through Wi-fi. Before that however we have to make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi.
Step 2. Start WebDAV server on iPhone
Run the file manager app on iPhone, tap on the icon at the top left corner to access its Control Center.
Choose Start WebDAV Server from its Control Center. Then tap on Start WebDAV Server button to enable the local file server on your iPhone. You’ll then get the file server address.
Step 3. Meta Quest to connect iPhone and share files
On the VR headset, launch the Oculus Browser to access the above WebDAV server. Before the Meta Quest gets access to your iPhone files, the Documents app displays a verification code on your phone.
Enter the above verification code in Quest Browser to access the file server on your iPhone. You can then browse, preview and download files, such as videos, photos, PDF and more documents, from iPhone to your Meta Quest. Click the Upload Files button to copy files from your VR headset to the phone.
Once you have download photos, videos or other files from iPhone to Oculus Quest, run the stock Files app on your VR headset, navigate to the Downloads folder to find those files sent from your iPhone.
Method 3. Transfer files from Android to Meta Quest using X-plore
X-plore is one of the popular and well-regarded options for managing and sharing files on Android phones. It allows users to explore the contents of their device’s internal storage and external SD cards, view and manipulate files, and perform various file-related operations. This free file manager app for Android provides users with the native WiFi File Sharing feature which is very useful when you need to copy files between your mobile phone and other devices or computers. You can download and install X-plore from the Google Play Store for free if not yet.
Again you have to make sure both Android phone and Meta Quest are connected to the same Wi-Fi as the file sharing occurs in your local network. The typical Wi-Fi sharing feature in file manager apps like X-plore relies on Wi-Fi networks, and it usually creates a local HTTP or FTP server on your Android device. This means that, in most cases, it requires a Wi-Fi connection to function. When no Wi-Fi network available, you can turn on the mobile hotspot feature to create a Wi-Fi network on the mobile phone. On your VR headset, connect to the Wi-Fi network created by your Android device and follow below steps to copy files between them.
Launch the X-plore app on your Android device. Go to the main menu and look for an option named Wi-Fi File sharing. Tap on it to expand more options, then tap on the On/Off toggle to start the file server. It will turn your Android phone into a file server so other devices or computers can connect to it to fetch files.
Now go to your VR headset, launch the Meta Browser to access the WiFi file sharing server. Make sure to enter the full server address in your web browser, it starts with http://, followed by your phone’s local IP address and then the server port which is 1111 by default.
Once connected, you can transfer files between your Meta Quest headset and Android device using the web browser on your VR headset.
Method 4. Share files between mobile phone and Meta Quest via SHAREit
Both Documents and X-plore above are file manager apps that come with file sharing features. In fact, we have several cross-platform file-sharing apps designed for various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. And some of them actually work well with VR headsets as well. SHAREit is a good example. SHAREit is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. With this free app on your PC, iPhone or Android phone, you can easily transfer files, including photos, videos, music, and documents, between your mobile phone or PC and the Meta Quest headset.
Download and install the SHAREit app or its Lite version from the respective app store on your phone (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS). Launch the SHAREit app on your phone. If you are using its Android version on your mobile phone. Tap on the Add(+ in a circle) button at the top right corner. Then choose Connect to PC from the drop-down menu. SHAREit will open your camera so you can scan and connect your PC. Since we are using a VR headset. We have to tap on the Connect manually link at the bottom. SHAREit will then create the hotspot and present you with the hotspot name and password on your phone automatically. Along with the hotspot details is the website link through which you can access your phone from other devices or computers.
Go to open your web browser on Meta Quest to visit above website link and start sharing files between your mobile phone and the VR headset.
