Develop
Get started with Android apps
Updated: Sep 4, 2026
Meta Horizon OS, the operating system on Meta VR devices, is built on the Android Open Source Project. You can create a new Android app for Meta VR devices or make an existing mobile app compatible using familiar tools such as Android Studio, Java, Kotlin, and Jetpack. Meta VR devices display 2D apps in resizable windows within a VR environment and map mobile gestures such as tapping and swiping to controllers and hands.
Choose your primary workflow
Choose the workflow that matches how you want to build. Each option can stand on its own, and compatible tools can be combined as needed.
- Android Studio: Install the Meta VR Android Studio Plugin to create Horizon OS projects, generate product flavors, manage Meta Spatial Simulator, and find compatibility issues in your code and manifest.
- Command line and AI tools:Meta VR CLI comes bundled with the Meta VR Android Studio Plugin. Use it from Android Studio, or install Meta VR CLI independently for use in terminals, continuous integration, and AI coding tools.
- React Native with Expo: Follow Expo for React Native tooling and create an Expo app for Horizon OS to bring an Expo app to Meta VR devices.
- Replit: Start from the Meta VR template on Replit to build without setting up Android Studio locally.
Get your app running
Start a new Android project or adapt an existing app for Horizon OS:
- Create a new app with the required manifest, dependencies, and product flavors for Meta VR devices and mobile.
- Make your existing app compatible with Meta VR devices by addressing unsupported dependencies and permissions while using one codebase across Meta VR devices and other Android platforms.
- Adapt your UI for a mixed reality environment.
- See what’s new in Meta VR Glasses.
- Declare your Meta VR OS SDK version by adding the
uses-metavr-sdkelement to yourAndroidManifest.xmlso your app stays compatible across Horizon OS versions.
Follow the Android design requirements when adapting your interface for a device.
For themed Jetpack Compose components that match Meta Horizon OS, use the Meta VR UI Set SDK.
Add Horizon OS capabilities
Horizon OS offers several ways to enhance your app:
Spatial windows: Use the Meta VR Layout SDK to add spatial windows around your app’s main window with familiar Jetpack Compose or React Native patterns. Your app remains Standard Android, stays open alongside other apps, and does not need to become fully immersive. Use Meta Spatial SDK when you need 3D objects or environment manipulation.
Platform services: Integrate deeper through the Platform SDK.
- User management: accounts and entitlements.
- User engagement: notifications and leaderboards.
- Monetization: in-app purchases and subscriptions.
- Security: attestation and age verification.
Standard Android OS features: configure your app with familiar AOSP APIs. See the features overview for the full list.
Publish and monetize
Follow the publish and submit guide to get your app into the Meta Horizon Store.
To add revenue streams:
- Explore the monetization options on Horizon OS.
- Use the Horizon Billing Compatibility SDK to reuse familiar Google Play Billing APIs.
- Add advertising with ad attestation and Ad ID.
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