How to: Use Rookie sideloader (2024)

If you still have not setup developer mode and connected with USB, please do that first. See enabling-dev-mode

This app will automatically download and install Quest games. If for any reason this app is not working for you, it's always anti-virus. Just kidding (not really).

The current version of Rookie can be found on the VRP Downloads page.

1. Create a folder for Rookie Sideloader (RSL)
   We suggest using C:/RSL/Rookie
2. Make sure to exclude the folder from antivirus scanning
   • Is this a Virus? No. Rookie isn't a virus. Check out that page for more information.
     
3. Extract this zip file to the folder
4. Run Sideloader Launcher.exe or AndroidSideloader.exe

Rookie Sideloader now has auto-upload features. If prompted, we'd appreciate game donations as this is the primary source of cracked games.

For further help please see our live support options.

1. Double-click either the AndroidSideloader.exe or Sideloader Launcher.exe file to launch Rookie.

2. Browse the extensive library of games and apps available for sideloading.

3. Choose the game you want to install on your Oculus Quest and click on it

4. Click the "Download and Install Game/Add to Queue" button to initiate the download process.

5. Patiently wait for Rookie to complete the download, extraction, and installation of the selected game.

6. Upon successful installation, a notification will appear indicating the completion of the process.

1. The dropdown at the top is for working with games already installed on your Quest
   • To Share (Donate) a game to VRP, select it from the dropdown, then click Share Selected App
   • To Remove (Uninstall) a game from your Quest, select it from the dropdown, then click Uninstall Selected App
   • To Extract an app from your Quest, select it from the dropdown, then click Pull App to Desktop
2. This is your Device Serial Number. It will appear when your device is connected properly. Use the MOUNT button to connect your device to your file explorer. (this usually happens automatically and is not required to be pressed)
3. This will indicate which Mirror you are connected to. If you are using the Free Public Mirror, it will say Public Mirror. If you are using a different mirror, such as the Sponsored Mirror, it will indicate the Mirror Number.
4. Use this button to quickly Disable or Enable Sideloading (installing).
   • If you Disable Sideloading, Rookie will only download games.
5. This is the main Gamelist, and where you can find all of the Games available for download.
   • Use the headers (Game Name, Release Name, etc) to sort games
6. Looking for a specific game? Use the Search Bar!
7. Wondering if a game you installed has an update? It will be indicated here!
   • Up to Date : These games on your Quest are already on the latest version
   • Update Available : A newer version is available to be downloaded and installed
   • Newer Than List : The version on your Quest is newer than what we have. Use the Share Selected App button to share it with us!
8. This is the Download button! You can also Double-click games in the gamelist to add them.
9. The progress of your download is displayed here, along with the ETA, Download Speed, and number of Parts remaining.
   • Why are games in parts? Our Public Mirror files are split into multiple parts
10. This is your Download Queue. Click on a game to remove it.
11. Sometimes we include notes with a game. This may be special instructions or general information about installing this game.
12. At the bottom of Rookie, it will display the current status of whatever it is doing.
13. The bottom left corner displays information about your Quest when it is connected
14. Use the Settings button to change different options within Rookie
    • A. By default, Rookie will Download, Install, and Delete the downloaded game files to save space on your PC. Uncheck this box to keep the downloaded files on your PC.
    • B. Prefer Trailers? This will switch the Thumbnails below the Gamelist into Trailers from YouTube. (Note: Trailers are found using a fuzzy-search on YouTube and may not be the proper trailer)
    • C. Having issues with downloads going slow or failing? Try toggling Single-Threading. This can help with certain internet connections. Rookie will download 1-file at a time instead of trying to do multiple.
    • D. Trying to use the Sponsored Mirror? Turn off the Config Update option to prevent Rookie from overwriting your Private Configuration.

This will cover any important features a user might want to know.

¶ Remove Queue Items

Clicking on an item in the Queue will remove it from the Queue, the first item is not removeable if there are more than one.

¶ Drag and Drop

You can drag and drop APK files onto Rookie to automatically sideload them. You can also drag-drop entire folders with APK+OBB files and Rookie will handle them like normal.

¶ Settings > Enable Single-Threading

This tells Rookie to download one file at a time, useful for weaker connections.

¶ Settings > Virtual Filesystem Compatibility

This allows Rookie to download onto paths like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.

Hover over any of the buttons in these categories, they'll tell you what they do.

¶ Pressing F1

This will show you a list of shortcuts that you can use within Rookie.

¶ Offline Mode

If mirrors aren't working, you can still sideload by creating a shortcut for Offline Mode.

Once you're in offline mode, with your quest connected, you can install games by dragging the folder containing the apk and (if the game has them) subfolder with obb's and dropping it onto Rookie's window.

• Newer verions include a batch file to launch in Offline Mode. Run "Rookie Offline.cmd" or create a regular shortcut to it.
  

• Create a shortcut like any Windows app to "Android Sideloader vX.X.exe", and then add --offline to the end.
  
  

Check out our Wiki Page for How to: Setup Rookie on a Mac with Parallels