The Oculus Quest 2 is a great way to get into virtual reality gaming. Since it’s a standalone headset, there’s no need to connect it to a PC in order to play games. However, that’s not to say it’s not trying. In fact, it’s entirely possible to connect the headset to a PC in order to play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2. Here’s how the process works.
How to play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2
To play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2, you’ll first need to connect the headset to your PC. You can use a cable, or you can go wireless by using the Virtual Desktop app. After that, you only need to download Oculus Link to load SteamVR and begin playing Steam games.
The simplest way to get Steam games on your Quest 2 is by using a cable. There’s only one catch here: To play Steam games on the Quest 2, you’ll need a computer capable of handling VR games. Yes, the Quest 2 is designed as a standalone HMD, but SteamVR games require the kind of grunt only offered by full PC hardware.
Assuming your PC is up to snuff, any USB-C cable of decent quality should do the trick, including the official Oculus Link cable. Either way, you’ll want to make sure the cable is capable of handling proper USB-C transfer rates.
Connect the Quest 2 to your PC, then load up the Oculus app. The program will run a performance test to make sure your cable and computer are both capable of handling full-fat VR games. So long as it passes the test, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Put on the headset, then enable Oculus Link if you so choose. After that, you’ll see a new home screen appear. Under Library > Apps, select the option to launch Steam VR. This is where you’ll go to play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2.
If you prefer to keep to a wireless option, you’ll need to install the Virtual Desktop app. As opposed to a direct PC tether, this app functions by streaming software from your PC to your headset. It functions nearly the same as a direct tether, except the quality is highly dependent on your home WiFi network. The better your network, the smoother your stream will be. The same holds true for players who want to stream Oculus Quest 2 games to TV.
Steam VR is rather basic compared to the traditional Steam interface. However, it will allow you to launch any VR-ready titles sitting in your Steam library. The catch here, of course, is that you’ll need to purchase VR games directly through Steam.
That’s all you need to know to start playing Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2. Direct tethering to a PC is preferred, but the Virtual Desktop app can be used for wireless PC-to-headset gaming. Before you go, be sure to check out our list of the best free Oculus Quest 2 games in 2021. We’ve also got tips on how to make the Quest 2 more comfortable.
