External Apps are not directly managed by ManageXR, and cannot be installed, updated, or uninstalled automatically by ManageXR. However, External Apps that are manually installed on a device can be approved in a Configuration and then included in your Home Screen or set as a Kiosk App.
For example, let's say you want to include Beat Saber in your Home Screen, but you don't have access to the APK file to distribute it via ManageXR. In this case, you'd manually install Beat Saber on your device from the Meta App Store. Then, you'd add Beat Saber as an External App in ManageXR and approve it in your device's configuration. Now, if Beat Saber is installed, it will appear in your Home Screen.
๐ก Note: If you are looking to use content from the Meta/Oculus Store, you will need to create Meta Accounts for each of your Meta Quest devices. To learn more about what account setup options are available when deploying Meta Devices at scale, check out our Meta Account Setup Guide.
If you plan to use a store app for large-scale deployments, we recommend reaching out to the app developer for app licensing information. The developer can even share their application with you directly through ManageXR. Feel free to include us in the conversation if you ever get to this point with an app developer. Reach out to support@managexr.com for more info on how we partner with app developers.
Installing an External App
The first step to using an external app is to manually install it onto your device:
Using Native Device Menus
This is the recommended universal option, as it works with many different hardware types.
Temporarily Disable Kiosk Mode and Exit ManageXR
Use native device menus to locate and download content
Re-enable kiosk mode
Using Meta Quest App
Meta Quest users have an additional option through using the Meta Quest App
Open the Meta Quest App
Click Menu in the bottom right
Select Devices
Open the App Library
Tap the app you wish to install
Click Install on Headset
Adding an External App to ManageXR
Once you've manually installed the app, you can now make it appear in your ManageXR Home Screen by adding it to ManageXR as an external app. To do this, you will need the app's Package Name. A Package Name is an app's unique identifier and can be found in a device's "Installed Apps" section:
Now that you have the Package Name, it's time to create the External App:
Navigate to the Apps page
In the sidebar, scroll down to the External Apps section and click the New button
Add a Title and the Package Name
Click the Create button
This app can now be deployed to your devices through any of your configurations!
Remember: An External App deployed in a configuration will only make the app appear in your ManageXR Home Screen if the app is already installed on the device. ManageXR cannot remotely install an External App for you.
Extra: Oculus First Steps App
It's common to add the Oculus First Steps app as an external app. In many cases, this app comes preinstalled on the device, and all you need to do is add it as an external app in order to have it appear on your home screen.
Oddly, the First Steps app can have three package names that depend on what Meta Quest headset you're using:
com.oculus.MontereySetup
Quest 1 & Quest Procom.oculus.MiramarSetupRetail
Quest 2
Since First Steps comes on Quest devices by default, it appears in the device's System Apps. If you don't initially see the First Steps app in your device's Installed Apps section, be sure it is installed on your device and that you've toggled on Show System Apps.
Tip: When System Apps are toggled on, the list can be quite extensive. It's best to search for First Steps manually in the search bar.