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2D Android companion app development

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Meta VR devices support two distinct types of Android development. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right SDK and development approach for your project.

Meta VR apps vs 2D Android companion apps

	Meta VR app	2D Android companion app
Runs on	Meta VR device	Android phone or tablet
Rendering	Immersive VR/MR (stereo 3D)	Standard 2D Android UI
SDK	Meta XR SDK, OpenXR, or Meta VR OS SDK	VR Platform SDK for Android, or standard Android SDKs with REST APIs
Distribution	Meta Horizon Store	Google Play Store or direct distribution
Purpose	Primary VR/MR experience	Mobile companion for a Meta VR app (settings, social features, account management)

The 2D Android companion app is sometimes referred to by different names: the Meta Horizon app is the current name for what was previously called the Meta Quest mobile app (and earlier, the Oculus app). All three names refer to the same product.

When to build a companion app

A 2D Android companion app is useful when you want to:

Let users manage account settings, friends, or in-app purchases from their phone.
Provide a mobile social experience that connects to your Meta VR app.
Offer a lightweight mobile experience that complements the VR experience.

Integration surfaces

Companion apps can use one or both of two integration surfaces. Most companion apps combine both — the VR Platform SDK for Meta-specific identity and platform features, and standard Android tooling for everything else.

VR Platform SDK for Android

The VR Platform SDK for Android provides direct access to Meta Quest platform features from a standard Android app:

Authentication: Link a user’s Meta account to their account in your system to get their alias and org-scoped ID. See Account linking for implementation details.
Platform services: Leaderboards, achievements, and other platform features accessed from your mobile app.
Cross-platform identity: Users sign in with the same Meta account on both Meta VR devices and mobile, enabling shared progress and social features.

There is no separate “Meta Quest Mobile SDK” product for companion apps; Meta-specific integration goes through the VR Platform SDK above.

Standard Android SDKs

For features outside the Meta Quest platform — generic auth, payments, content management, analytics — use standard Android SDKs such as Google Sign-In, AndroidX, and Retrofit or OkHttp for HTTP. These libraries work normally in a companion app; they are not Quest-specific.

Cross-platform authentication

To provide a seamless experience across your Meta VR app and mobile companion app, both apps should authenticate users through Meta accounts. This ensures that:

Users have a single identity across devices.
Progress, purchases, and social connections are shared.
You can identify the same user regardless of which device they are using.

For Meta VR apps, authentication is handled automatically through the device. For mobile companion apps, implement OAuth 2.0 authentication as described in AOSP features on Horizon OS.

Getting started

Set up your developer environment by following the Android apps on Meta VR devices guide.
Review the VR Platform SDK for Android documentation.
Implement OAuth 2.0 sign-in, described in AOSP features on Horizon OS, to connect your companion app to your Quest VR app.