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VTMDigital
New Participant
November 5, 2025
Question

Issue with APK-to-APK Launch on Meta Quest — Unexpected Return to Lobby

Here’s the situation:

  • APK(1) launches APK(2) using an intent — this usually works, but occasionally it returns to the Meta Quest lobby (immersive home)instead of opening APK(2).
  • APK(2) then launches APK(3) — this frequently results in returning to the lobby (immersive home), and APK(3) does not open.
  • All APKs are installed via "Unknown Sources" and are intended to run in VR mode.
  • Tested on Meta Quest 2/3/3s, system version 81.

Has anyone experienced similar behavior or found a reliable way to ensure smooth APK-to-APK transitions without falling back to the lobby (immersive home)?

    6 replies

    VirtuallyARealDinosaur
    VirtuallyARealDinosaur
    Community Manager
    November 18, 2025

    Hello!

    I'm sorry you're experiencing this.

    Can you submit a bug report in the MQDH or to our Feedback Center?

    Thanks!

    VTMDigitalAuthor
    New Participant
    November 20, 2025

    Submited and the report stauts is invertigating. I have never seen this bug on V79.

      htaylor
      htaylor
      Community Manager
      November 21, 2025

      Hey VTM_Digital, 

      Do you happen to have more information on the APKs you're trying to open in sequence and any errors you might be seeing in your logs when the intent fails? If this started up after an update, it's possible that there's a version incompatibility between the new OS version and the APKs, which could cause intents to fail. 

      Also, is your current report a support ticket or Feedback Center request? I can check on the investigation if it's been a while since you filed it. 

      mlbgeorges2025
      New Participant
      January 6, 2026

      Hello,

      I have the exact same problem with my apps when I try to launch one from within the another (with the intent). My setup is similar, I have them installed as "Unknown sources", my OS version is the last one (v83) and my devices are Quest 3.
      I'm sure the apps can launch without any problem because I can do it manually when I launch them via the "Unknown sources" list.

      However in some cases, when I try to launch APK to APK with intent, the first app closes and the second never launches (I also stay in the immersive home). I had this feature working in previous updates (probably when the devices were on v78 or v79) but it seems that recent updates (from v81) result in more failings.

      VTM_Digital​ Did you manage to resolve your issue? If not, did you get more info on the matter, maybe from your support ticket?

      Thanks in advance!

      mlbgeorges2025
      New Participant
      January 20, 2026

      In case someone encounters the same problem, here is how I could resolve this on my side.
      The problem is that my launcher APK (first app) was closing too soon after launching the second app. Sometimes it could manage to launch but it would also fail (I could not detect in which cases exactly).
      The trick was to let my Kotlin code handling both launch of next app and closing of current one (initially I let C# code handled the quitting). I still find it weird that the bug appeared once the OS update v81 arrived but maybe something in the update changed how the apps were closing (with the new Home environment)? But maybe it is completely unrelated.
      In any case, I hope it can help!

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