SteamVR for PC

In this tutorial, I will tell you how to download SteamVR for PC. Your gateway to an expansive universe of VR content is SteamVR and is available on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. However, I will tell you how to download SteamVR for PC in this article.

SteamVR represents the flagship virtual reality platform of the Valve Corporation, and is the basis for many of the great VR experiences available today. It ties into Steam, the popular digital distribution service, available for users to experience thousands of VR games and apps. Supporting multiple virtual reality headsets from various manufacturers, SteamVR is the hardware agnostic VR platform for fans around the world.

SteamVR is the framework for many other functions needed to build out a more powerful experience of virtual reality. Oh, and with features like the super convenient VR Dashboard, your users can manage their games, use their desktop, and even browse the Steam store, without needing to step in and out of VR. The chaperone system creates virtual boundaries, allowing you to set the distance you can roam in a VR game so you do not bump into real-world objects in the midst of an intense gaming moment at the expense of user safety.

SteamVR supports a content and community ecosystem more than just the technical capability itself. Expect to experience deeply interactive and physically based gameplay with room-scale tracking and precision motion controllers that allow users to feel as if they are actually present inside a virtual world. Not to mention, Steam Workshop integration makes room for sharing user-generated content, offering more for modders and creators to enjoy, and extending the life and diversity of VR games from one source.

Regardless, SteamVR has done so much towards building the foundations of VR and developing the VR scene. It still provides a stable, flexible, and developer-friendly platform that pushes the frontiers of immersive computing further ahead. With forums for developers as well as users, the VIVE IQ forums create the environment in which these sorts of discussions can take place, and help ensure that a diverse group of users can take advantage of the latest and greatest to come out of VR, in the spirit of VIVE principles of open standards and wide compatibility.

Features of the SteamVR:

  • Experience an expansive library of VR content available directly through the Steam platform.
  • Enjoy broad hardware compatibility, supporting a wide range of VR headsets from various manufacturers.
  • Benefit from an intuitive VR Dashboard that allows you to access Steam, manage applications, and interact with your desktop while in VR.
  • Utilize the Chaperone system, which creates virtual boundaries to help keep you safe and aware of your physical surroundings.
  • Dive into interactive experiences with precision motion controller support for accurate hand tracking and object manipulation.
  • Take advantage of room-scale tracking, enabling you to move freely within a designated physical space for truly immersive gameplay.
  • Access Steam Workshop, providing a community hub for user-created content, modifications, and custom experiences.
  • Leverage built-in performance optimization tools to ensure smooth and fluid virtual reality rendering across diverse PC setups.
  • Support for the OpenXR standard allows for greater compatibility and easier development across different VR ecosystems.
  • Gain access to comprehensive developer tools and SDKs, empowering creators to build and publish their own VR applications and games.

Due to the popularity of Android and iOS devices, many apps are made only for these platforms and very few for Windows and PCs. Even if SteamVR may not be available for PC or Windows but only on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store, there are still some tricks and tips that can help you download SteamVR for PC. You can take the help of Android emulators to install and download SteamVR for PC. This article will help you navigate how to download SteamVR for PC.

Download & Install SteamVR on PC:

If you want to run Android apps on your PC without any software, then you can read this tutorial: How to Install Android Apps on PC without any Software? Alternatively, you can run Android apps like SteamVR via Android Emulators like BlueStacks, LDPlayer and NoxPlayer.

Or, you can download APK files on your PC, you need to find a reliable source for the APK and then download it safely. Just follow the various methods and steps listed in this article to Download SteamVR for PC and SteamVR will run on your PC without any problem.

Please note that we are strongly against downloading or installing applications from third-party sources. Such apps may pose security risks, compromise your personal data, or violate app store policies. For your safety and to ensure optimal performance, please use official app stores such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store for all downloads.

Method – 1: Download and Install SteamVR using Bluestacks

As I told you before, the SteamVR app is not available for PC but you can still download SteamVR for PC using a Bluestacks emulator. BlueStacks is an Android emulator that lets you run Android apps on a computer. Just follow the steps below to properly download and install SteamVR on your PC:

Step 1: Download and Install BlueStacks:

First, you have to download BlueStacks on your PC. You can visit the official website of Bluestacks and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download Bluestacks

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up BlueStacks:

Launch BlueStacks after installation.

Once the Bluestacks emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within BlueStacks. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install SteamVR App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within BlueStacks.
    • Search for the SteamVR app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the SteamVR app.
    • Look for SteamVR icon created on the Bluestacks emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the SteamVR APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded SteamVR APK file directly onto the BlueStacks window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + Shift + B.
        • Locate the downloaded SteamVR APK file on your PC and select it.
        • BlueStacks will install the app automatically.
        • Your SteamVR should appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

Method – 2: Download and Install SteamVR using LDPlayer

If you don’t want to install the Bluestacks Android emulator but still want to enjoy and download SteamVR for PC, then here is another emulator you can download. LDPlayer is another Android emulator that you can use. Just follow the steps below to install the SteamVR:

Step 1: Download and Install LDPlayer:

First, you have to download LDPlayer on your PC. You can visit the official website of LDPlayer and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download LDPlayer

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up LDPlayer:

Launch LDPlayer after installation.

Once the LDPlayer emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within LDPlayer. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install SteamVR App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within LDPlayer.
    • Search for the SteamVR app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the SteamVR app.
    • Look for SteamVR icon created on the LDPlayer emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the SteamVR APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded SteamVR APK file directly onto the LDPlayer window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + 3.
        • Locate the downloaded SteamVR APK file on your PC and select it.
        • LDPlayer will install the app automatically.
        • Your SteamVR should appear on the LDPlayer home screen.

Method – 3: Download and Install SteamVR using NoxPlayer

There is another emulator that you can use to run SteamVR on Windows. NoxPlayer will help you to do so.

Step 1: Download and Install NoxPlayer:

First, you have to download NoxPlayer on your PC. You can visit the official website of NoxPlayer and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download NoxPlayer

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up NoxPlayer:

Launch NoxPlayer after installation.

Once the NoxPlayer emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within NoxPlayer. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install SteamVR App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within NoxPlayer.
    • Search for the SteamVR app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the SteamVR app.
    • Look for SteamVR icon created on the NoxPlayer emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the SteamVR APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded SteamVR APK file directly onto the NoxPlayer window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + 5.
        • Locate the downloaded SteamVR APK file on your PC and select it.
        • NoxPlayer will install the app automatically.
        • Your SteamVR should appear on the NoxPlayer home screen.

SteamVR App not available on Google Play Store?

You must have noticed that in all the above-mentioned methods, we are downloading SteamVR from the Play Store. However, sometimes it can happen that due to geolocation restrictions, SteamVR might not be available in your region. So, what to do in that kind of situation? Well, here is another trick for you to run and install SteamVR on PC without geo-restriction or Google Play Store.

Pre-requisite

Before moving forward, you need to download the SteamVR APK file from a reliable, credible and trustworthy third-party website to run it on your PC if it is unavailable on the Google Play Store.

We strongly recommend against downloading or installing applications from third-party sources. Such apps may pose security risks, compromise your personal data, or violate app store policies. For your safety and to ensure optimal performance, please use official app stores such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store for all downloads.

Procedure

Follow the steps to run the downloaded SteamVR APK file on PC, We are using BlueStacks for this tutorial:

Step 1: Download and install Bluestacks or Nox Player or LDPlayer, steps and links are mentioned in Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3.

Step 2: Launch Bluestacks on your computer. Now, head over to the “Install APK” button which is on the right sidebar as shown in the image below.

Step 3: A Windows Explorer pop-up will come up. Navigate to the downloaded SteamVR APK file location. Now select the SteamVR APK and click on open. The app installation will begin and once the installation is complete, the app will appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

OR

Step 3: You can simply navigate to the SteamVR APK file location and drag the downloaded SteamVR APK to BlueStacks. The installation will begin, and once completed, the app will appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

Alternatives to the SteamVR:

  • Meta Quest Link: Connect your Meta Quest headset to your PC to access a vast library of PC VR games and experiences.
  • Windows Mixed Reality: Explore virtual and augmented reality content through a platform designed for a range of compatible headsets.
  • Pico VR Streaming: Wirelessly stream PC VR games to your Pico headset for a high-fidelity untethered experience.
  • Virtual Desktop: Enjoy a low-latency, high-quality wireless VR streaming solution that also lets you use your computer in VR.
  • OpenXR Runtime: A universal API standard enabling VR applications to run across various hardware without custom porting.
  • ALVR: An open-source alternative for streaming SteamVR games to standalone headsets like the Meta Quest.
  • iVRy Driver for SteamVR: Transform your mobile phone, tablet, or another VR headset into a powerful PC VR display.
  • Riftcat VRidge: Play PC VR titles on your mobile device using its screen and sensors as a virtual reality headset.