APK Installer for AR Glasses — Sideload Apps on Smart Glasses

Sideloading on Smart Glasses — A Different Challenge

Smart glasses are the most restrictive Android devices for app installation. Unlike phones (Play Store) or TV (Play Store + Amazon Appstore), most glasses have limited or no app stores. Getting apps onto glasses requires sideloading — and each glasses category handles it differently.

Three categories of smart glasses for sideloading:

AnExplorer's APK installer is relevant for the first two categories — devices that actually run Android.

Standalone Android Glasses

Inmo Air 2

• Runs Android 11 independently
• ADB over USB-C or WiFi
• AnExplorer sideloads via ADB, then manages additional APKs
• Limited storage (~32 GB) — APK size matters

Even Realities G1

• Standalone Android-based OS
• WiFi ADB for wireless install
• Small app ecosystem — sideloading is the primary way to add apps
• AnExplorer provides on-device file management after install

Vuzix Z100 / Blade 2

• Enterprise-focused Android AR glasses
• ADB + enterprise MDM deployment
• AnExplorer useful for field technicians managing files on-device

Compute Units (Run Android, Connect to Display Glasses)

Rokid Station

• Standalone Android box that connects to Rokid Max glasses
• Has its own app store BUT limited selection
• Sideload via ADB: adb connect [rokid-ip]:5555 → adb install AnExplorer.apk
• Once AnExplorer installed: manage files, install additional APKs via WiFi Share

XREAL Beam Pro

• Android compute unit for XREAL glasses
• Sideloading via ADB similar to Rokid Station
• AnExplorer manages files displayed on XREAL's virtual screen

The Sideloading Process

Step 1: First-time setup (ADB from PC)

The first APK (AnExplorer itself) must come from ADB since there's no file manager on the device yet:

1. Enable Developer Options on glasses/compute unit (Settings → About → tap Build Number 7x)
2. Enable USB debugging (or WiFi debugging)
3. On PC: adb connect [device-ip]:5555 (wireless) or connect USB cable
4. Install AnExplorer: adb install AnExplorer.apk
5. AnExplorer now available on the device

Step 2: Subsequent APKs (no PC needed)

Once AnExplorer is installed, all future sideloading is wireless — no PC required:

1. On your phone: download the APK you want on the glasses
2. Phone → AnExplorer → WiFi Share → select APK
3. Glasses → AnExplorer → WiFi Receive → accept transfer
4. On glasses: tap the APK in AnExplorer → Install

This is significantly easier than repeating ADB commands for every app.

Step 3: Managing installed apps

AnExplorer on the glasses provides:

• Browse installed APK files and app data
• Delete unused apps to free limited storage
• Check storage usage (glasses have 32-128 GB typically)
• Manage files created by sideloaded apps

What to Sideload on Smart Glasses

Storage Management on Glasses

Smart glasses have limited storage (32-128 GB). AnExplorer helps manage:

• Sort by size: find largest apps consuming space
• Delete old APKs after installation (free space)
• Clear app caches
• Monitor available space before installing new apps

Rule of thumb: Keep sideloaded apps under 500 MB total on 32 GB glasses. Larger apps may work but consume too much of the limited storage.

Display Glasses — Where to Sideload Instead

For display-only glasses (no standalone OS), sideloading happens on the HOST device:

• XREAL Air 2 connected to phone: Sideload on the phone — content displays on XREAL's screen
• Rokid Max connected to Rokid Station: Sideload on Rokid Station
• VITURE connected to phone: Sideload on the phone

AnExplorer on the host phone/device provides APK installation that benefits the glasses viewing experience.

Troubleshooting Glasses Sideloading

"Device not found" in ADB

• Ensure ADB debugging is enabled on the glasses
• Check IP address (Settings → WiFi → tap network → IP)
• Try USB-C connection instead of wireless
• Restart ADB: adb kill-server then adb start-server

App installs but doesn't appear

• Some glasses OS hide sideloaded apps — check "Unknown Sources" or "All apps" section
• Restart the glasses after installation
• Some apps need specific launcher compatibility

App crashes or displays incorrectly

• The app may not support the glasses' small/unusual display
• Try apps specifically designed for AR/small screens
• Phone apps often have unusable UI on glasses

Related Guides

• APK Installer Feature — full APK capabilities
• Install APK on AR Glasses — comprehensive sideloading guide
• File Manager for AR Glasses — glasses overview