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Meta XR Simulator Multiplayer

Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Overview

Meta XR Simulator allows you to rapidly test your multiplayer mixed reality game without gathering people for a test session.

Easily switch between sessions in the Multiplayer View panel on the left.

Prerequisites

Windows PC with Unreal Editor (multiplayer testing is not supported on Android or Quest device builds)

Meta XR Plugin

Meta XR Simulator enabled in your project (see Getting Started with Meta XR Simulator)

Set up play settings

Unreal Editor’s Run Under One Process and HMD For Primary Process Only settings must both be disabled for all PIE instances to connect to Meta XR Simulator.

Open Edit > Editor Preferences > Level Editor > Play.

Disable Run Under One Process.

Disable HMD For Primary Process Only.

Configure multiplayer options

The Meta XR Plugin exposes four multiplayer-testing settings under Edit > Project Settings > Plugins > OculusXR > PC > Multiplayer Options.

Setting	Description
Set Active PIE to Primary	When enabled, the currently focused PIE window is automatically set as the primary window connected to the HMD. Enables automatic PIE switching without using a console command.
Set CVar PIE to Primary	Ensures that the active PIE index CVar (`vr.PrimaryPIEIndex`) stays in sync with the active window. Enable alongside Set Active PIE to Primary.
Update Head Pose for Inactive Player	Controls whether inactive PIE windows continue updating head pose. When disabled, an inactive player’s pose freezes until they become active.
MP Pose Restore Type	Controls how a player’s head pose is restored when switching the primary PIE window. Options: `Disabled`, `Restore Position Only`, or `Restore Position And Rotation`.

You can also configure these settings directly in DefaultEngine.ini:

[/Script/OculusXRHMD.OculusXRHMDRuntimeSettings]
bSetActivePIEToPrimary=True
bSetCVarPIEToPrimary=True
bUpdateHeadPoseForInactivePlayer=False
MPPoseRestoreType=Disabled

Switch between PIE windows

The steps in Set up play settings configure multi-process mode. If you prefer single-process mode, re-enable Run Under One Process before proceeding with single-process configuration.

Meta XR Simulator supports two PIE modes for multiplayer testing.

Single-process mode

When Run Under One Process is enabled, all PIE instances share one editor process. Enable Set Active PIE to Primary and Set CVar PIE to Primary to let the plugin automatically switch the primary PIE window based on which window has focus.

Multi-process mode

When Run Under One Process is disabled, each PIE instance runs as a separate UnrealEditor.exe process. Use the vr.PrimaryPIEIndex console command to control which PIE window is primary:

vr.PrimaryPIEIndex <index>

Set <index> to -1 to cycle to the next PIE window.

For step-by-step configuration of both modes, see Multiplayer Testing in Unreal Engine and Multiplayer Testing with XR Simulator.

Test with Session Capture

Session Capture lets you record gameplay as one player and replay it while controlling another. This allows you to test multiplayer scenarios without a second developer. See Capture a Meta XR Simulator Session.