Lightning Launcher 8.5.1

1️⃣ Quest 1 Support

Lightning Launcher officially supports Quest 1 for the first time ever!

• On Quest 1, versions of all 4 shortcut services are available which are compatible with the older software
• The default window is very large, except when launching from a shortcut icon/service
• Custom window sizes work, though they may appear larger than on Quest 2/3
• You can't keep the launcher open when launching apps, but you can still multitask by moving windows to the side slots yourself.

✨Quest UI tweaks

• The Quest-dark wallpaper preset has been updated to match the Quest 2/3's new library UI
• Lightning Launcher now displays slightly nicer in the Unknown Sources list
• The back button has been removed from Lightning Launcher's window bar

⚙️Misc. Changes

• Increased the density of the group display
• Added a refresh button to the main page of the settings
• The main app list should is now a bit more responsive
• Search should now be a bit snapper
• Various minor improvements have been made to advanced settings
• Fixed crashes that could occur when resetting data
• Custom windows will revert to pre-8.4 behavior on Quest OS v69-v72

8.5.1

• Fixed an issue where three-dots and playtime buttons could not be clicked on Quest v76
• Fixed a freeze in when opening Quest Game Tuner directly to options on Quest v76
• Added a "Wider Groups" option for those with longer group names
• When skipping an update, you can now also skip all future updates
• Hid "Heath Connection" app which appeared in v76 but was could not be launched

Lightning Launcher is now available on itch.io!
It's exactly the same app as on GitHub & SideQuest, but has a snazzy new webpage and install guide over there.

Legacy Addons for Quest 1

Alternate versions of the shortcut addons which work with v50 on Quest 1.

No need to download these manually - the appropriate version will be selected automatically from Shortcut Settings.

Lightning Launcher 8.4.0

📦 Built-in APK installer (for Quest v74)

The v74 (PTC) version of Meta Quest OS broke APK installation from the system file explorer.

• Note: This issue is resolved in the full release of v74, but the APK installer tool will stay in case it reappears. You can easily hide the icon, if you prefer.

In addition to allowing you to open that system file explorer ("Files"), you can now install APKs using the new built-in utility.

You may need to grant permission to install the APK, but Lightning Launcher will not request access to your files.

Install an APK file on v74+: Select "APK installer" from the apps list, then navigate and select it using the file picker.
Install an APK file on older versions: Navigate the APK file through "Files", and open it to install.

- Though they are not installed separately, "APK Installer" and "Files" appear as normal apps within Lightning Launcher.

🛠️ Misc. Fixes & Improvements

• Multiple launcher windows are no longer supported. Lightning Launcher's multitasking features had already rendered this unnecessary, and limiting the launcher to a single window allows for more consistent performance. This will also make shortcuts behave a bit more consistently.
• Custom windows sizes now work correctly on v74. Older versions are unaffected.
• The workaround for image selection on v72 PTC has been removed, as the release version of v72 has fixed the underlying issue.

Lightning Launcher 8.3.1

⌚View Your Playtime

• After you grant usage access, you'll be able to see your total playtime in supported apps when hovering their banners
• You can turn off "Show Playtimes" in Settings > Advanced Settings to hide them completely
• If you have Quest Game Tuner, you can also view detailed playtime charts directly from Lightning Launcher

🖌️Improved Look

• Dialogs are now more consistently styled, like in Quest Game Tuner
• The dark theme now has subtle outlines, like in Quest Game Tuner
• The search animation has been improved and no longer stutters

🔗 Updated Shortcut Services

• Shortcut services now work with the v71 new UI
• You can now open shortcuts by hovering over the target icon for about a second
• Make sure to update in Settings > Shortcuts
• Settings > Shortcuts now also has instructions to add Lightning Launcher to the dock

🛠️ Misc. Fixes & Improvements

• Search will now close when clearing your search term
• New "Fully Close Lightning Launcher" in advanced settings, which lets you manually refresh the UI and app list
• Quest Game Tuner features now open an informative popup before bringing you to the web
• Tooltips have been added for a few more settings
• Builds are now minified for a smaller file size

✅ 8.3.1

• Better error handling for json data (Prevents recent crashes related to MetaData changes from re-emerging)
• Greatly optimize main app list & scrolling
• Note: There may now be a small delay when switching groups, esp. for the first time

Addons for 8.3.0

This version now (finally) supports the v71+ new UI.
Shortcuts now open when the icon is hovered for about a second. On supported versions, they'll still open if you click them quickly.

Builds are now minified, for a smaller package size.

Lightning Launcher 8.2.2

	Unlock the Full Power of Your Quest. Quest Game Tuner is a new tool I made to help you get the most out of your Meta Quest headset. It can automatically adjust resolution, framerate, and more for every game you have installed. Get Quest Game Tuner at on itch.io
	Join the Lightning Launcher and Quest Game Tuner Discord!

✨Launching Improvements

• Apps now launch using a new Quest-native method on v71 or newer
  • The new method matches the behavior of the default launcher and removes all launching delays
  • This should permanently fix issues with inconsistent launching
  • This also fixes the issue where some 2D apps would crash on resize
  • You can disable this in Advanced Settings to revert to the old behavior
• "Close Launcher Window after opening apps" - which is now by default - replaces the old v69 multitasking option

🐇 Optimized App List

• The main app list will no longer reload unnecessarily when the window is reopened
• The main app list will now be much more responsive, especially when hovering apps
• App icons load in faster and with less lag

🛠️ Fixes & Improvements

• Installation of updates & shortcuts now use session-based installation if available, which should fix "No App Can Perform This Action" errors
• The main app list will no longer refresh when reopening the main window
• Shortcut services no longer cause Lightning Launcher to animate in twice on v71
• Quest 3 blurred transparency will now work correctly on windows opened via. a Shortcut Service
• The refresh icon button now shows up only when a custom icon is set
• 8.2.1 - Fix missing version check that could cause potential v69 issues
• 8.2.2 - Fix an issue where new icons and banners would not load & optimized this loading

Known Issues

• Quest 2 transparency works only when launching in a shortcut window
• Issues with inconsistent launching issues may persist on v69
• Shortcuts may not work on v71 if you have the new UI (Add LL to your dock for now)
• The android files app does not work correctly in v72 PTC, and you cannot select new custom wallpapers/icons (Fix coming soon)

Full Changelog: 8.1.5...8.2.1

Addons for 8.2.0

All shortcut services have been updated.

They will no longer cause the launcher to refresh twice on v71, and shortcut services will work correctly with Quest 3 blurred transparency.

This update is optional.

Lightning Launcher 8.1.5

⚙️Reworked Settings

• The main settings page has been condensed and simplified, with more settings moved to the advanced section.
• Settings shows a new small rotating banner with relevant info
• More settings now show helpful tooltips on hover

✨Misc. Improvements

• App installs and uninstalls are now detected automatically, and the launcher updated accordingly.
• Side-by-Side multitasking now works for panel apps and websites, in addition to 2D apps.

🪟 Multiwindow Changes

• The new v69+ multitasking from 8.0 is no longer on be default. Enable it by turning on "Keep Launcher window after opening apps"
• When enabled, this setting will now apply to all apps (2D, panel, VR, and web)
• 2D apps will now open more reliably in this mode, but you'll need a free space on your VR desktop

🛠️Fixes

• Fix an issue where custom icons/banners would be get overridden by those from MetaMetadata
• MetaMetadata can get incorrect banners for a handful of games (Raise issues on that repo)
• Fixed a crash which could occur with certain settings set to unintended values
• The app list will now refresh immediately upon adding/removing websites

8.1.1

• Added a new advanced setting, which enables a blurred transparent window background on Quest 3/3S (Credit)
• You no longer need to reopen the window to adjust translucency
• Fixed an issue where settings wouldn't correctly apply to multi-window configurations
• Fixed an issue where the update button wouldn't show up after skipping or dismissing an update

8.1.2: Blurred translucency mode no longer launches slower, sped up app launching on Quest
8.1.3: Roll back launch activity change which could cause issues on some versions, background blur is now always on for Quest 3 users.
8.1.4: Fixed an issue where apps would occasionally need to be launched twice on Quest

8.1.5

• My other apps (Quest Game Tuner, Lightning Browser) will now be shown as banners by default. You can still switch them back to icons, if you prefer.
• Added a button to reset an individual app's icon or banner if a custom image has been set
• Additional fail-safe which should reduce the inconsistent launching issue users for still-effected users
• Fixed a visual issue with the group & edit bars when using translucency

Known issues

• Shortcut services are inconsistent on v71 (PTC)
• Quest 3/3S blurred translucency does not work when launching in a shortcut window
• Quest 2 transparency only works when launching in a shortcut window
• Some Quest devices on v71 get "No App Can Perform this Action" when performing Android VIEW intents

Note

If you see "No App Can Perform this Action" when installing a shortcut or update, you can still install updates over adb, SideQuest, or an app such as CX File Explorer which uses session-based installation. Shortcut services also may not work correctly. This issue is not the fault of Lightning Launcher.

Check the 8.0 release notes for more changes.

Lightning Launcher 8.0

🔥Quest Game Tuner Integration

You can now directly open Quest Game Tuner from the details dialog on any VR app to tune its resolution, fps, and more!

---

🪟 Better Multi-Window

• Apps will open in their own windows by default
• A new ultra-wide custom window size has been added

New features for Meta Quest OS v69 and above:

• If one of the three main window spaces is available, the new window will be opened alongside the Lightning Launcher window, not replacing it
• Apps set to use a specific window size will also open alongside the main launcher window!
• When enabled, you can open multiple apps in custom-sized windows simultaneously

🖼️ Updated Icons & Labels

• Icons and labels are now fetched from MetaMetadata when possible
• Most icons will be downloaded directly from Meta's servers, and should once again be up to date
• Banners are now included for all SideQuest apps (SideQuest app icons remain unchanged)
• Labels will now match the Meta Store or SideQuest listing for the App (No more codenames!)
• Icon and banner resolution has been raised to the standard Android value
• Old icon repos are still used when the new method fails

🎨UX Improvements

• The appearance of various settings pages and dialogs has been updated
• Tooltips for settings now appear faster, and show for more settings
• You can now set individual apps to use a banner or icon, regardless of type
• Searches will highlight the first result and will wait a moment to update while typing
• The version of Lightning Launcher is now shows at the top of settings

App Details Dialog

• You can hover over the package name/version of an app to see the whole thing, even if it's too long for the dialog
• The info button shows on a few more apps, the uninstall button is hidden on system apps.
• You can directly open Quest Game Tuner tuning for VR apps here

🔗Updated Shortcuts

• All shortcuts must be updated!
• Shortcuts will now open on click, rather than on hover
• Shortcuts now open alongside their target app, instead of replacing them (This is a result of v69+ rather than an intentional change, but may be useful nonetheless)

🛠Technical Changes

• Lightning Launcher will now show up at the top of the Unknown Sources list when sorted alphabetically
• Window sizes have been corrected on Quest v69+
• VR Applications will now be detected much more reliably, with less false-positives
• The option to open apps in the main launcher window has been removed (Use the "medium" window size instead)
• Settings changes will immediately apply with more consistency
• The main window will no longer refresh unnecessarily, and will be interactable faster
• Drastically improved opening speed on Android TV

Known Issues

• Some apps won't launch correctly on old Quest OS versions (pre-v66)
• On first launch, apps will be sorted by their internal labels until groups are changed
• Custom windows sizes may not apply if the target app has not been fully closed
• Some apps crash when opened in their own non-custom window, then resized
• Updates/addons may not install correctly on v71 #165

Addons for 8.0.0

All shortcut services have been updated.

Shortcuts now open on click, with the correct window size. The target application is moved to the side, but will still open.

8.0.0 shortcuts are not fully compatible with older versions, and vise versa.