The Oculus Quest 2 is an excellent VR headset. Starting at $ 299.99, the stand-alone helmet offers a host of immersive experiences that do not require you to be tied to a computer. However, you still need to join powerful games like Half-life: Alyx, which restricts your movement.
That is, unless you are smart. Quest 2 owners have come up with a clever solution to get any VR games working wirelessly on the headset. Reverse tested the method on a Quest 2 and was able to get Half-life: Alyx run on it without problems. All that stands between players and wireless freedom is a good computer, a USB-C cable and a few programs. Here’s how to play Half-life: Alyx, and any other VR game, wireless on the Oculus Quest 2.
1. Download the following or buy it
To get started, you need to download a few things to make it work. Make sure your computer can work Half-life: Alyx. You do not want to go through the whole process just to realize that your specifications are not good enough. You will run games like these from your computer, not your Quest 2. Stable wi-fi is also a must here, as this is how you will communicate with your computer via the headset.
You need to make sure that you also have a way to connect your Quest to your computer. Use it if you have an Oculus Link. Otherwise any USB-C will do it. We used the DualSense charging cable that comes with the PlayStation 5, so you do not have to look for a Link if you have something else on hand.
Next, you need to download some apps. To get started, you need to purchase the Virtual Desktop app from the Oculus Store, which costs $ 20. This will allow you to access your computer via your headphones when you connect it to USB-C or Oculus Link. Then you need to download the free Virtual Desktop Streamer app, the Oculus PC app, and an application called SideQuest to your computer. You also need the Oculus app on your phone and the SteamVR app on Steam, both of which are free.
Finally, you need to sign in to your Oculus account in the Oculus PC and phone apps, as well as the Virtual Desktop Streamer app. Here is a quick checklist of everything you need before you go to the next step:
2. Activate the developer mode
To get started, you need to set your Oculus account to developer mode. Turn on your Quest 2 and open the Oculus app on your phone. Open the settings menu in the app and your headset should be seen at the top as an option. Click on it and tap on More settings. From there, you will see a developer mode option that you can click on. Simply turn on developer mode and you’re done with the Oculus app here.
3. Download the SideQuest Virtual Desktop Plug-in
Now you need to “sideload” an application into your Quest 2, which is much easier than it sounds. Connect your Quest to your computer via USB-C or Oculus Link and open the SideQuest app. If your headset is properly paired, you should see a green light in the top corner of the app, which confirms that it can communicate with your Quest 2.
Once in the app, search for Virtual Desktop. Click on the app page and you will see a button that says Install to Headset. In essence, this Virtual Desktop application works so that you can stream games from your computer, rather than just connecting to them. Once installed, you will be able to access your desktop via VR without being connected to it.
4. Connect to your computer
If everything is installed correctly, you are free at this point. Turn on your Oculus Quest 2, disconnect from your computer, and open the Virtual Desktop app. If you are using the Virtual Desktop Streamer app on your computer, you should go directly to a menu asking you to connect to a computer. Choose your computer and once it is connected, you should see through Quest 2 exactly what appears on your computer screen.
Finally, you need to make sure SteamVR is running if you want to play Steam games like Half-life: Alyx. Simply search for it in your library and turn it on. When you open Half-life: Alyx, you must be able to play wirelessly in full VR.
Note that this is not an official solution that Oculus made itself, so there can sometimes be a bit of trial and error. I usually had to fiddle with the apps a bit to get them working or restart Steam games so they could appear properly in VR, rather than a flat screen. It is also not a perfect experience as you belong to the grace of wi-fi. I could play though Half-life: Alyx start on the Quest 2 without wires and with a very minimal hiccup.
Half-life: Alyx This is especially nice as a wireless experience, as the extra range of motion allows you to dive behind the cover and jump out without tripping over a wire. Try it if you feel adventurous with your headset.
Read more: Oculus Quest 2 is VR’s big moment