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Simulate User Input from Meta Quest Touch Controllers

Updated: Sep 2, 2026

Overview

You can forward input data from physical Meta Quest Touch controllers through your headset to the Meta XR Simulator.

Set up

Connect your Meta Quest headset to your computer with a USB cable and allow USB debugging on the headset.

In Meta XR Simulator, open Inputs and expand Quest controllers.

Under Device, select the connected headset.

Select Install server. The simulator installs the data forwarding server on the headset and attempts to launch it.

Connecting

If Launch server appears after installation, select it.

Look in the headset and confirm that Meta XR Simulator - Data Forwarding Server is running in the foreground.

Select Connect Quest Controllers.

During the three-second calibration, hold the controllers in the headset’s field of view. Move them afterward and confirm that the simulated controllers respond.

Reset controller poses

Press A, B, X, and Y simultaneously to use the current physical controller poses as the reference poses for the simulated controllers. The simulator ignores a repeat press within one second of the last one.

Disconnecting

Select Disconnect Controllers. Confirm that control of the simulated controllers returns to the keyboard and mouse.

Troubleshooting

If installation fails, keep the headset awake, clear any USB debugging or app permission prompts, then select Retry install.

If launch fails, bring the server app to the foreground and clear any system dialog that blocks it. Wake the Quest controllers if the headset displays a controllers-required dialog, then select Launch server.

If connection fails while the server is running, select Connect Quest Controllers again.

For other input options, see Meta XR Simulator input simulation.