Shoal

Any browser · phones, computers, Quest

Open it in your browser

Nothing to install. Add photos and swim. On a phone you can look around by moving it; in the Quest's browser, tap Enter VR.

Android phone

The phone app

Finds your photo albums by itself, makes new shoals from photos you pick, and lets you look around by moving the phone or pinching to zoom.

1. Open this page on the phone and download the app.
2. Open the downloaded file. If Android asks, allow your browser to install unknown apps.
3. Tap Install, then open Shoal and allow it to see your photos.

Android 10 or newer. It isn't on the Play Store yet, so Android may warn that it's from an unknown developer.

Windows PC · and Quest over Link

The Windows app

Your photo collections at full size, and in a Quest headset over Quest Link. Make a collection of album covers from a folder of music: click an album to hear it, with its release, track list and story alongside. Turn on Share with Quest and the Quest app can show your PC's collections and play their music over your home Wi-Fi.

1. Unzip the download anywhere, keeping its files together, and run Shoal.exe.
2. If Windows warns about an unknown publisher, choose More info, then Run anyway.
3. Put photos in Pictures\Shoal; each folder inside becomes its own shoal.

Windows 10 or 11 with a DirectX 11 graphics card. When sharing, allow Shoal on private networks if Windows Firewall asks; it only answers devices on your home network.

Meta Quest headset

The VR app

Runs on the headset by itself, no computer needed. Put photos in Pictures/Shoal on the headset; each folder inside becomes its own shoal. Choose Your room to see the shoal in your room instead of deep water.

With the Windows app sharing on the same Wi-Fi, your PC's collections appear as PC · …, their albums play through the headset, and Keep on headset saves a collection, or the music of albums you choose, for when the PC is off.

1. Turn on developer mode for your headset in the Meta Horizon app on your phone.
2. Connect the headset to a computer and install the downloaded file with Meta Quest Developer Hub or SideQuest.
3. In the headset, open your app library and find Shoal under Unknown sources. Its panel says Quest app at the top.

Quest apps from outside the Meta store can only be installed this way, from a computer. A Quest 3, 3S or Pro shows your room in colour; a Quest 2 in black and white.