SteamVR with Android: RiftCat and VRidge Setup Guide

Nolo motion trackers with Riftcat used for SteamVR. Image credit: Nolo

This post will provide step by step directions for getting RiftCat and VRidge up and running. If you don’t know what RiftCat/VRidge is, you are missing out! This unique software double team supreme makes your Android and Google Cardboard into a SteamVR compatible headset. The RiftCat/VRidge software combo is great if you want to try SteamVR games without shelling out the big bucks for an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIeUYSO4Ts8

Below the setup guide, there are a few tweaks and tips that will allow you to get the most out of this software/hardware combo. Here, I also describe and discuss a few of the more popular tracking solutions like the aforementioned recently released Nolo kit as well.

Requirements:
– Beyond the Apps VRidge (found on the Google Play Store) and RiftCat (https://riftcat.com/vridge)
– An Android phone running Android 5.0 or higher. I recommend a newer device with a screen above 1080P. Although lower resolutions will work, the visual quality will be distracting. Since the Galaxy S5, Samsung has included screens above 1080p. The LG G4, G5, and G6, and Motorola Moto Z phones have nice screens well.
– A micro USB cable.
– A Google Cardboard headset with a head strap.
– Steam, SteamVR, and virtual reality games or software that you want to run.
– A virtual reality-ready PC. For this, you will need to look up the requirements of each specific game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeCnQqbtsv0

1. First things first, you need to install RiftCat and VRidge software. You can find VRidge on the Google Play Store and RiftCat at www.riftcat.com or https://riftcat.com/download.
2. After installing both pieces of software, you will have to either login or set up an account using the fresh install of RiftCat at www.Riftcat.com. You can set up accounts with Facebook, Google, Twitter, and more…
3. After logging in on your PC, you will see a VRidge tab and be asked to select a connection. At this point, you should make sure that your phone is either connected to the same WiFi network as your PC or connected to your PC with a micro USB cable.
4. Let me tell you, it is almost not worth using the WiFi connection option. The Micro USB option works much better. That said, if you want to try Wifi, click the connection that matches your router in the white “Please select connection” window shown.
5. On your phone, launch the VRidge software that you downloaded from the Google Play Store.
6. After launching VRidge on your Android phone, look at RiftCat on your computer. It should recognize your phone, at which point, you then will click “yes” in response to the “Is that your phone” dialogue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s21dPw4I6go

Tips

– As I mentioned, I recommend using a micro USB connection instead of WiFi. When using a USB connection, RiftCat on your PC should automatically find and connect to your phone.
– In the RiftCat settings, you can adjust the speed and resolution at which the VR streams. Lowering these can make WiFi usable to try out SteamVR games.
– There are several ways to get room-scale or near room-scale tracking. The newly released Nolo tracking system could be the best of such options. The Leap Motion tracking also works although it provides a different system of control. I have also heard of people using PlayStation Move trackers to a great degree success as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4HpjpDLQ54