A More Open Ecosystem For Developers

We believe a more open platform will define the next generation of computing and is the best way to bring the power of mixed reality to as many people as possible. To that end, we just shared our vision for Meta Horizon OS and Meta Horizon Store. For developers, this means we’re making it easier for you to build titles and reach your audiences on the platform. To help you navigate these changes and opportunities, we’re sharing more detail about how this announcement could impact you and your titles. We’ll continue to share more information throughout the year so you can plan your development.

Meta Horizon OS is the mixed reality operating system that powers our Meta Quest headsets and future third-party partner devices. We’re renaming the Meta Quest OS to reflect our vision to build a computing platform organized around people and connection. Meta Horizon OS will power both devices that Meta builds and those built by third parties. This means that developers can write their title once and run it on a wide variety of MR and VR devices.

There are no changes necessary for developers to support Meta Horizon OS. Software built for Quest already runs on it today. You can continue to build and distribute your titles through the Store.

For mobile developers, we’re also building a new spatial app framework to help you create mixed reality experiences on Meta Horizon OS headsets. You’ll be able to use the tools that you’re already familiar with to bring your mobile apps to Meta Horizon OS or to create entirely new mixed reality apps. You can apply for early access here.

For more information, please see our Meta Horizon OS FAQs.

We’ll rename the existing Meta Quest Store to the Meta Horizon Store, which will continue to offer the world’s best library of immersive apps and experiences. The Meta Horizon Store is the main distribution channel for titles on Quest and will be available on all Meta Horizon OS headsets. If your title was available on the Quest Store, it will be available on the Meta Horizon Store.

We’re also significantly changing the way we manage the Meta Horizon Store. We’re shifting our model from two independent surfaces, Store and App Lab, to a single, unified, open storefront. This shift will happen in stages, first by making many App Lab titles available in a dedicated section of the Store, which will expand the opportunity for those titles to reach their audiences.

In the future, new titles submitted will go directly to the Store, and App Lab will no longer be a separate distribution channel. All titles will still need to meet basic technical, content, and privacy requirements to publish to the Store. Titles are reviewed at submission and may be re-reviewed as they scale to more people. Like App Lab today, all titles that meet these requirements will be published.

These changes will roll out in stages. If you’re currently developing for the Meta Quest Store or App Lab, no changes are required today. The existing Store and App Lab submission processes will continue to operate as we build a unified platform. All titles must still meet the Virtual Reality Check (VRC) guidelines, including our Content Guidelines, Data Use Policy, and App Policies. App Lab titles also must meet our App Lab Policies.

For more information, please see our Meta Horizon Store FAQs.

We continue to invest in open standards for mixed reality software. Our teams will continue pushing these technologies forward to promote an open and interoperable software ecosystem.

Today’s announcement will result in a more open platform, making it easier to build titles and reach your audiences. Thank you for being on this journey with us as we build the future of the mixed reality ecosystem together.