Design

Software Setup

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Set up your accounts, install the required software, configure your headset for development, and create your first project. These are one-time steps — once complete, you can jump straight into any prototype quickstart guide.

We recommend Meta Quest Developer Hub (MQDH) for the full development workflow. MQDH auto-configures Unity projects for Meta Quest, manages device connections, handles APK deployment, provides performance tools, and supports uploading builds to the Meta Horizon Store. It's the most comprehensive tool for Quest development.

Account setup

Create the accounts you will need to access developer tools, download SDKs, and publish apps.

Create a Meta developer account at developer.oculus.com/sign-up.

Verify your account at developer.oculus.com/manage/verify⁠.

Create a Unity ID at id.unity.com⁠.

Software downloads

Install the required software to build and deploy Meta Quest apps.

Install the Meta Horizon mobile app⁠ on your phone (iOS 13.4+ or Android 5.0+).

Download and install Unity Hub⁠.

Install Unity Editor (6000.0.66f2 or higher) and make sure to include:

Android Build Support,

OpenJDK,

Android SDK and NDK Tools modules.

Download and install Meta Quest Developer Hub (MQDH) and log in with the same Meta developer credentials used on your headset.

For any troubleshooting issues, see MQDH Getting Started

Headset setup

Enable developer mode on your headset so you can deploy and debug apps. Follow the steps in MQDH Device Setup to enable developer mode via the Meta Horizon mobile app, connect your headset via USB-C, and allow USB debugging.

Once complete, open MQDH > Device Manager and verify your headset shows a green “Active” status.

If you need adb available in your terminal and it's not recognized after installing MQDH, see Enable ADB in MQDH for troubleshooting and path configuration.

For any troubleshooting issues, see MQDH Device Setup

Project setup

Create and configure your Unity project for Meta Quest hand-tracking development.

Create the project

01 Open MQDH

02 Start a New Project

03 Pick Your Settings

Open the Meta Quest Developer Hub app on your computer. On the left side, you'll see a menu — click on XR Projects. This is where you can create and manage all your Unity projects for the headset.

For any troubleshooting issues, see MQDH XR Projects

Configure and validate

01 Delete Default Camera

02 Run Setup Tool

03 Check Validation

04 Update Packages

In the Hierarchy pane (usually on the left side of Unity), right-click on Main Camera and select Delete. Don't worry, we will replace it later with the XR camera that works with the headset.