Can I test apps on a retail HTC Vive Focus without submission to store?

Unity Engine
1

Hi everyone,

Company I work for just bought a Vive Focus. It was given to me and I was tasked to check if some of our Unity apps (for Samsung Gear VR) could be installed on it.

After struggling with USB drivers, adb, etc. I’m beginning to think my PC (Windows 7 64b) will not be able to see my Focus as it is not a dev-kit. Is it possible at all to place our apps on this great device without submitting them to the Store first?

2

Well… they just bought it.
We are from Poland and apparently some local company is distributing it here.
It even comes with translated manual and power adaptor.
I don’t know the name of the company. I’ll let you know when I do.

1 Like
3

It IS possible to launch an app on your retail version of Vive Focus.

To everyone searching a solution:

  1. Enable USB Debugging in your Focus advanced options
  2. Connect Focus to PC
  3. Change Focus USB mode to File Transfer (MTP)
  4. Make sure Windows installed Focus properly ( I had a “ADB interface - no driver” issue and solved it using this method:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXtbAMarHQw
    )
  5. Check “adb devices” command to see if the device is now listed
  6. Use “adb install your.apk” command (agree to install in Focus interface)
  7. Look for your app in My → Installed
4

rafal-p, this gets me a little closer, but do you have info on how to access the device’s file system via cmd? This tutorial assumes you can navigate the device using cd" ", but newer android devices that use MTP USB transfer don’t show up as a mapped drive.

I updated the driver by following the video, but without file access, It shows no devices when prompting ‘adb devices’

5

I was able to install an .apk inside of the focus, after allowing unsigned apps to install. It said installed. But does not open, or show up in ‘installed’.

6

Did you ever find a solution to this? I can get an app to build and start on the headset, but it just continually shows the Vive Focus loading screen and the app never actually runs

7

I’m stuck here as well.

8

If you are looking for a simpler way than adb to sideload Unity apps to a Vive Focus, try this tutorial: How to Sideload Apps on Vive Focus + FREE sideloading tool

It includes a simple drag & drop tool, so you don’t have to fiddle around with the command line.