(Updated May 01, 2016) Got a Gear VR and want to try out Google Cardboard apps with it? There are 3 ways to do it, insert the phone without plugging in the USB port or download one of two apps available CB Enabler for Gear VR or Package Disabler Pro. CB Enabler for Gear VR is the preferred method. It will allow you to use the Gear VR touch pad as a click and the Gear VR will hold your phone securely. Read on to find out how to do each.

Step 1 – Setup your viewer profile

Google Cardboard requires you to scan a QR code to properly configure your VR headset to work correctly with the app. Here are the steps required and the QR codes:

Open your Google Cardboard app

Click the gear icon in the bottom middle of the screen. This opens the settings dialogue box.

Click ‘Switch Viewer’

Scan one of the 3 QR codes below depending on your phone:

Step 2 – Choose your method:

Method 1 – CB Enabler for Gear VR

When you plug your phone into the Gear VR, it instantly starts the Oculus Home utility. This makes running Cardboard apps impossible because you can’t get out of Oculus Home. However you can download an app to disable this function.

Install CB Enabler for Gear VR from the Play Store

Open the app and tap on the Google Cardboard icon.

Open your Google Cardboard app of choice (Like End Space VR for Cardboard)

Insert your phone like normal in to the Gear VR

Enjoy your Google Cardboard app in the Gear VR

When you are finished with the Google Cardboard app, be sure to tap on the Gear VR icon to re-enable the Gear VR service.

Method 2 – Package Disabler Pro

Package Disabler Pro works like CB Enabler for Gear VR but allows use to disable more than just the Gear VR service. The downside with this app is the touchpad won’t work for clicking.

Install Package Disabler Pro from the Play Store

Open the app and check the box for Gear VR service

Open your Google Cardboard app of choice

Insert your phone like normal in to the Gear VR

Enjoy your Google Cardboard app in the Gear VR

When you are finished with your Google Cardboard, make sure to re-enable the Gear VR service in Package Disabler Pro. Otherwise you won’t be able to get back to Oculus home.

Method 2 – Don’t connect the phone to the Gear VR

Like I stated above, when you connect your phone to the Gear VR, the Oculus Home utility instantly starts. But if you want to use your Google Cardboard app and don’t want to install more apps, then simply don’t connect your phone to the USB port

Open your Google Cardboard app of choice

Insert your phone into the Gear VR, but this time lift up the USB port so the phone isn’t connected to to the Gear VR

Enjoy your Google Cardboard app in the Gear VR

The downside to this method is the phone is not perfectly centered and causes the apps to be a little blurry. The phone is held in place but not as secure as when connected to the USB port, so there’s potential the phone could come loose and fall out.

Conclusion

There you have it, you can now checkout Google Cardboard apps with your Gear VR. The tracking is no where near as good in Cardboard apps as it is with the Gear VR. The extra sensors and work Oculus did with the Gear VR are incredible and when using Google Cardboard apps this feature set is lost.

If you are using Package Disabler Pro and need a click option, you can pair a Bluetooth controller to your phone instead to handle the clicks. Got a PS4 controller? Read my guide PS4 controller setup with Gear VR & Google Cardboard.

Be sure to check out my recently released game End Space on the Gear VR!