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Device Setup

This section will provide information on how to set up your supported device for running, debugging, and testing your Gear VR application.

Please review the System and Hardware Requirements above for the list of supported devices for this SDK release.

Note: This information is accurate at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the consistency or reliability of third-party applications discussed in these pages, nor can we offer support for any of the third-party applications we describe.

Configuring Your Device for Debugging

In order to test and debug applications on your Android device, you will need to enable specific developer options on the device:

Configure Developer Options in Settings
- Enable USB Debugging
- Allow mock locations
- Verify apps via USB
Configure Display Options in Settings
- Disable lock screen
- Set Display Timeout (optional)

Developer Options

Note: Depending on which mobile device you are using, options and menu names may vary slightly.

Developer options may be found under: Settings -> System -> Developer options.

Developer options may be hidden by default. If so, you can expose these options with the following steps:

Locate Build number option in Settings. Android M and later: Go to Settings -> System -> About device -> Software Info.
Earlier Android Versions: Go to Settings -> System -> About device.
Scroll down to Build number.
Press Build number seven times.

You should be informed that Developer options has been enabled.

Once you have found Developer options, enable the following:

USB Debugging: This will allow the tools to install and launch deployed apps over USB.

You should see the screen shown on the accompanying figure.

Note: If the above screen does not appear, ensure that your computer recognizes the device when it is connected. If not, you may need to pull down the notifications bar on your phone and find the USB connection setting, and set USB to Software installation (it may be set to Charging by default). If you still do not see the pictured screen, try a different USB cable. If your phone is recognized by your computer but you do not see the above screen, try toggling USB Debugging off then back on.

Check Always allow this computer and hit OK.

To purge the authorized whitelist for USB Debugging, press Revoke USB debugging authorizations from the Developer options menu and press OK.

Allow mock locations: This will allow you to send mock location information to the device (convenient for apps which use Location Based Services).

Verify apps via USB: This will check installed apps from ADB/ADT for harmful behavior.

Display Options

The following display options are found in: Home -> Apps -> Settings -> Sound and Display.

Lock screen/Screen Security/Screen lock: Set to None to make the Home screen is instantly available, without swipe or password. Useful to quickly get in and out of the phone.

Display/Screen timeout: Set the time to your desired duration. Useful if you are not actively accessing the device but wish to keep the screen awake longer than the default 30 seconds.

See Android Debugging for more information.