Transfer Files from Android to XR Headsets — Pico 4, Galaxy XR, Vive XR, XREAL

Transfer Files from Android to XR Headsets

Every standalone XR headset is running some version of Android under the hood — but each platform restricts file access differently. This guide covers the real workflows for each major XR platform: what works, what doesn't, and exactly how to use AnExplorer to transfer files from your Android phone.

For Meta Quest specifically, see the dedicated Meta Quest transfer guide.

XR Platform Overview

Pico 4 / Pico 4 Ultra

Pico OS is the most open of the standalone Android XR platforms — sideloading is built in without developer mode:

Enable sideloading on Pico 4:

1. Settings → General → Unknown Sources → Toggle ON (no developer options required)

Transfer via Wi-Fi Share:

1. Open AnExplorer on your Android phone
2. Select files → Share → Wi-Fi Share
3. Note the QR code or URL shown
4. On the Pico headset: open the built-in File Manager or AnExplorer if installed
5. Navigate to Network → Wi-Fi Share → scan QR code

Transfer via FTP:

1. Start FTP Server in AnExplorer on phone: ftp://192.168.x.x:2221
2. On Pico: install a file manager with FTP client support from the Pico store (e.g. Total Commander)
3. Connect to phone's FTP address and download files

Media for Pico VR:

• 180° video: Name files with _180 or _LR suffix for proper stereoscopic display in PicoVideo
• 360° video: Name with _360
• Supported formats: MP4, MKV (H.264/H.265 codec)
• Place videos in /Movies/ on Pico storage

Samsung Galaxy XR Headset

Samsung's XR headset (successor to Galaxy Gear lineup, built on Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2) runs a full Android 15 with Knox security:

Enable Developer Mode on Galaxy XR:

1. Settings → About → Software Information → Build Number: tap 7 times
2. Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging: ON
3. Settings → Developer Options → Install via USB: ON (also unlocks Wi-Fi sideloading)

Transfer via FTP:

1. AnExplorer on phone → FTP Server → Start
2. On Galaxy XR: Samsung Internet browser → navigate to the FTP address
3. Download files directly to headset storage

Native integration:

Samsung Galaxy XR pairs with Galaxy phones — use Samsung Quick Share (within Bluetooth range) for smaller files. For large video libraries, FTP is more reliable.

HTC Vive XR Elite

The Vive XR Elite runs Android 12 with Vive's Wave XR platform:

Enable unknown sources:

1. Settings → Applications → Unknown Sources → Enable
2. Settings → Developer Options → ADB Debugging → Wireless ADB

Transfer via Wi-Fi Share:

1. AnExplorer on phone → Wi-Fi Share → start server
2. On Vive XR Elite: Viveport doesn't have a file manager — install one via sideloading first
3. Use the Vive's built-in browser to navigate to http://192.168.x.x:8080 (Device Connect URL from AnExplorer)
4. Download files via the browser

VR video playback:

• HTC Vive XR Elite supports Viveport Video player for 180°/360° content
• File naming: _SBS for side-by-side stereoscopic, _TB for top-bottom

XREAL Air / XREAL One (via Beam Pro)

XREAL glasses themselves don't run Android apps — they're display peripherals. The XREAL Beam Pro (Android-based companion device) is what receives files:

Transfer to XREAL Beam Pro:

1. Beam Pro is a standard Android 14 device — AnExplorer installs from Google Play
2. Install AnExplorer on Beam Pro
3. From phone: AnExplorer → Wi-Fi Share → Start
4. On Beam Pro: AnExplorer → scan QR code or enter URL
5. Files transfer to Beam Pro storage, then play to glasses

XREAL glasses mirror the Beam Pro screen at up to 120Hz — movie files play directly through the glasses via the Beam Pro.

Rokid Max 2 / Rokid Station 2

Rokid Station (the companion Android box for Rokid glasses) runs Android 12:

1. Enable: Settings → Security → Unknown Sources
2. AnExplorer on phone → Device Connect → Start → URL shows
3. On Rokid Station: browser → navigate to URL
4. Download files to Rokid's local storage

Common File Types for XR

Architecture Warning for APK Sideloading

Every XR headset uses ARM64 (aarch64) architecture. Before sideloading an APK:

• The APK must be compiled for ARM64 — x86 or ARMv7 APKs will fail
• Multi-architecture APKs (universal) should work
• App size matters — most XR headsets have 128 GB minimum but store media locally in /Movies/

Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi Share not connecting between phone and headset

• Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network — some headsets default to a 2.4 GHz band; some phones prefer 5 GHz. Check both are on same SSID
• Some XR headsets use captive portal Wi-Fi detection which can interfere — use home Wi-Fi, not guest networks

APK installed but app won't open

• Architecture mismatch — the APK is not ARM64 compatible
• Or the app requires Google Play Services which may be absent on some XR platforms (Pico has its own app store ecosystem)

Videos show as flat/mono (not stereoscopic)

• Check the filename contains the correct suffix: _LR for left-right SBS, _TB for top-bottom, _180 or _360 for projection type
• Some players need manual selection of projection type in playback settings regardless of filename

Related Guides

• Transfer Phone to Meta Quest — Meta Quest-specific in-depth guide
• Transfer Phone to Watch — Wear OS wearable guide
• Open ZIP Files on Android — manage archive files in AnExplorer