Skip to main content
robertcoomber
robertcoomber
Up and Coming
February 16, 2021

App Lab "Preview App" Download location

I am needing to share preview builds of an App Lab app via Oculus' preview app feature. I have added another user via Release Channels -> Builds -> Add Users. My users have accepted the invitation and can see the app in the preview apps section of their Account settings on the web browser Oculus.com site. We cannot see the app in the preview apps section on the Mobile App nor can we see the app in the headset. Is there a new location where these preview apps reside? 

    12 replies

    ireneRK
    New Participant
    February 16, 2021
    I have the same problem
      korinVR
      korinVR
      Honored Contributor
      March 1, 2021

      I'm also having the same problem. I can't share my app with my co-developer.

      Katsuomi Kobayashi ( @korinVR ) at FrameSynthesis Inc.
        RaptorMatt
        RaptorMatt
        Inspiring
        March 1, 2021

        Oculus really needs to do some more work to streamline this process... The app does not get added to the library after the user accepts the release channel invite. Oculus should change this so that the app automatically appears in the "Not Installed" section of the library on the Quest device after the release channel invite is accepted. Otherwise, the process is pretty convoluted and difficult for non-developers who are testing your app.

         

        Through trial and error, here are instructions I've written that seem to work for most people right now:

        1) First, open the invitation email you should have received and accept the invite to the alpha release channel.

        2) On your phone that has the Oculus app linked to your headset, open this link which will take you to the App Lab store page for my app: (Insert link for your App Lab store page. You can find this link in the developer portal for your app under "App Submission".)

        NOTE: You may get an error page when opening that link for the first time. If that happens, sign in to the Oculus website in your phone’s browser, open the link again, and it should work properly.

        3) Tap “Ok” for the dialog that first pops up, then scroll down to the bottom and there should be a button that says “Free”. Tap that, and it should allow you to add the app to your library and install on your Quest.

          BenignGuardian
          Participant
          March 7, 2021

          Is your instructions for approved App Lab apps or does this also work for the Release Channel route? My understanding is the App Lab builds are approved according to App Labs criteria whereas Releas Channels the app can be in any stage. Here is a reference to understand the different Distribution Options: https://developer.oculus.com/policy/distribution-options//    

            RaptorMatt
            RaptorMatt
            Inspiring
            March 8, 2021

            BenignGuardianMy instructions above are for a non-approved Release Channel app.

              BenignGuardian
              Participant
              March 7, 2021

              we are in the same boat.... Here is my experience: 

               

              We currently have over 10 playtsters waiting to play our Alpha build and we are struggling with figuring out how to make the Release Channel feature work so our playtesters can access our Alpha build in their VR headset. 

               

              Issue:

              Playtesters are invited and can even see the Alpha build in the web dashboard under "Preview Apps" (oculus.com/my/preview-apps/) but they can't find the App in the Quest headset menu or in their Oculus phone app.

               

              What we have tried:

              We tell them to go to the "universal menu" then click "Store" scroll to the bototm to "My Preview Apps" but our Alpha build is not to be found. We also ask them to click "apps" and then filter through the drop down selections to see if it shows up. No luck.

              We've had them restart their VR headset multiple times and had them unsubscribe and go thought the invite flow again by re-inviting them.

               

              The strange thing is that all my team members were able to get the Alpha build onto their Quests which is in developer mode. 

               

              Bare in mind this is an Alpha build that we are trying to distribute though the Release Channel feature. 

                noemis
                Up and Coming
                March 18, 2021

                We also have problems with customers who didn't find the app after accepting the invitation to a release channel. For Years it was no problem on gear/go but why is it now so complicated?

                For me the hint from RaptorMatt helped to send also the app lab link to the customer. Still, Oculus should add a category "my app lab previews"...

                noemis
                Up and Coming
                May 6, 2021

                I asked oculus via mail about this topic and today this answer came: 

                 

                "This is a known issue at the moment. Our engineering team is working on making App Lab channels viewable in "My Preview Apps" when a user accepts an invitation."

                 

                So at least we can hope that in 2022... let's see 😉

                  Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement