Download Oculus software on your PC to setup Oculus Rift and explore the best VR apps and more. If you have Rift + Touch, you can also set up your hardware. UPGRADE YOUR VR. COMPARE HEADSETS. APPS & GAMES SUPPORT. Oculus Link for Mac OS does not exist. It would be really nice if it did. There is, unfortunately, nowhere I could find to simply say: 'I would like for Oculus Link for Mac OS to exist' so I made an account on this forum and started a thread. Sure would be nice if I could start developing vr. The Oculus app is a PC only app. The only way that you could use your Mac with the Quest would be to use Boot Camp to run Windows. Unfortunately, unless you have a Mac Pro with a good video card or an iMac Pro, you will not be able run any apps in a playable state. How to enable external apps on mac. To download and install the Oculus app on your computer: Go to www.oculus.com/setup and click Download Oculus Rift Software. Open the Oculus app and click Install Now. Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account and set up your Rift S or Rift.
Oculus Rift took the world of virtual reality by storm when it first hit the markets in March 2016. The brainchild of Palmer Luckey, Oculus Rift was the world’s first commercial VR headset that went on to become intensely popular, inspiring the release of a series of budget and expensive models. However, the Oculus Rift was initially compatible only with Windows OS implying that Macbook Pro users were unable to take advantage of the VR headset.
To put it in perspective, the older versions of Macbook, including the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air were not VR compatible. In other words, most of the older Macbook versions lacked the GPU specs or graphical power necessary for using Oculus. So, if you’ve a Macbook Mini or Macbook Air, you’ll need to plug in an eGPU (external graphics card) for using the Oculus Rift.
However, Apple declared in the Worldwide Developers Conference in 2017 that it would launch Macbook laptops and Mac desktops with advanced hardware, rendering them companionable with VR.
Earlier Versions of Macbook Pro were incompatible with Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift made an announcement in May of 2015 that caused a lot of heartache to VR aficionados using Macbook. The company made it known via a blog that it was concentrating on developing a VR headset attuned for using with Windows- compliant content, hardware and software. Towards that end, developing VR headsets for complying with Linux and Mac OS X were put on hold.
Oculus at the outset, concentrated solely on creating a virtual reality headset that worked with Windows OS. The reason why Oculus focused on developing a VR headset for Window was that the Macbook mini and the Macbook Pro did not have the specs to run Rift. In fact, the Intel graphics cards did not have enough juice to use the Rift.
The dual AMD FirePro cards embedded in the Macbook Pro did not have the software or hardware backup for powering Oculus Rift. To make the most of Oculus Rift, your laptop or desktop should have the following specs:
- Windows 7 SP1 or later
- HDMI 1.3 output backed by a 297MHz clock through a direct output setup
- 2 USB 3.0 ports
- 8GB RAM support
- Intel i5-4590 compliant or higher
- AMD 290 or Nvidia GTX 970 GPU or greater
Unfortunately, the earlier Macbook versions did not have the above specifications.
Apple Broadcasts Support for VR at WWDC 2017
Apple made it public in 2017 that they would soon be releasing Macbook versions with hardware upgrades that’d allow users to enjoy VR. For instance, the company publicized the release of iMac Pro loaded with a versatile graphics card, enabling users to take advantage of Oculus Rift. Apple further announced that it would release a range of powerful graphics card that were well-suited with numerous iMac variants like Radeon Pro 560 and Pro 555.
Making Your Macbook Pro Compatible with Oculus Rift
Before you proceed to make your old Macbook Pro compilable with Rift, you’d be better off purchasing a desktop or laptop that is VR ready. Making your older Macbook work with Oculus may turn out to be more expensive than buying a VR ready PC. On the other hand, you can also consider buying the latest Apple software and hardware that are highly companionable with Rift, Samsung Gear or Sony PS VR.
In order to match your Macbook Pro with Rift, you’ll at least need an AMD Radeon 290 or Nvidia GTX 970 graphics card. Your Macbook Pro will not have the juice to run the Rift without the support of an eGPU or external graphics unit processor. At the same time, you’ll need to have a PCIe Box with suitable power supply for powering up the eGPU.
Additionally, you’ll require 2 X USB 3.0 receptacles, HDMI 1.3 video output port (with a minimum of 297MHz frequency), HDMI cable (for linking HDMI to mini port), and at least 8GB RAM. In the next step, you’ll have to connect the above components with your Macbook Pro. Putting the parts together should not be an issue and you do not need to be tech geek to do so. For a start, install Oculus Runtime Files together with the Oculus SDK (for Mac OS X). Follow the ‘World Demo’ carefully so that you can install the Oculus properly. Once you’ve downloaded and correctly installed the relevant files, you’re ready to put the Rift to optimum use.
Conclusion
You’ll definitely need to upgrade your older or earlier Macbook Pro or Macbook Air to make it compatible with Oculus Rift. In case you’ve the iMac Pro, you can use it with HTC Vive. Alternatively, you can opt for the Mac OS High Sierra that is fully companionable with HTC’s Vive.
And if you want to match up the older Macbook Pro with Rift, you’ll have to rely on eGPU and DIY projects.
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The easiest way to install Sideload or unknown App on Oculus Quest and Oculus Go.
One of the questions we receive most often through our form or social channels is how to install on Oculus Quest or Oculus Go all those apps that are not available on the official store.
This aspect is very important for developers and 3D artists that do not want to make their Virtual Reality App created for Oculus Quest available to everyone but just some selected users, as well for consumer users that want to try something not available on the official store.
Since many procedures found online are generally complex to follow and tend to discourage users, we will see below one of the easiest methods to do all this!
As hardware, you will need a MAC or a Windows PC with a USB-C port – because currently is not possible to install custom app directly on the headset – and of course your Oculus Quest or Oculus Go.
Step 1: Enable Developer Mode
- Turn on your VR device
- Open the Oculus app on your phone
- Click on “Settings”
- Click your paired Oculus Quest or Oculus GO headset at the top
- Click More Settings > Developer Mode and then toggle Developer Mode ON
Step 2: Download free sideloading tool on your PC/MAC
DOWNLOAD FOR WINDOWS
Link to download ->
DOWNLOAD FOR MAC
Oculus Download
Link to download ->
Step 3: Launch VRsideloader and install the app
- Double click on VRsideloader.exe
- Once you made it, VRsideloader will install automatically the Android Platform that is necessary to runs sideload App on your VR device
- Connect your device to your PC by the usb-C cable and enable the developer mode from your Quest if required
- Drag and drop your .apk file inside the VRsideloader window
You have finished the installation!
Step 4: How to launch your unknown App
- Put on your Oculus Quest or Oculus Go
- Click on the library icon
- Select unknown sources
- Click on your app
Internet sharing app mac. Enjoy it!
Do you want to try by yourself a custom Oculus Quest app to test all this process and see the potential of photorealism on a Virtual Reality mobile hardware? Go to our download page and search the Oculus Quest app!
Now let’s see how to uninstall your app you have already sideloaded/installed!
You will need to:
- Launch VR sideloader.exe
- Click on uninstall
- Select any App you want to uninstall
- Click uninstall
Oculus App For Mac
Easy, isn’t?!