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Meta Horizon Android Studio Plugin

Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Overview

The Meta VR Android Studio Plugin is the recommended workflow for developers building Meta VR apps in Android Studio. It adds a new project template for Meta VR devices, lets you manage those devices from Android Studio, lets you test your project in Meta Spatial Simulator, and bundles Meta VR CLI for use with AI coding tools.
You can use Meta VR CLI and AI tools through the plugin or as a standalone workflow. If your primary workflow is React Native with Expo, you don’t need to use the Android Studio plugin.

Install the plugin

The plugin runs in Android Studio⁠, Google’s free IDE. It is distributed through JetBrains, but you do not need an IntelliJ account or any paid JetBrains product.

Supported Android Studio versions

The plugin supports these Android Studio releases:
Plugin versionFirst supported Android Studio releaseLatest supported Android Studio release
252.2.0.1.49
Otter (2025.2.1)
Otter 3 Feature Drop (2025.2.3)
253.2.0.1.49
Panda 1 (2025.3.1)
Panda 4 (2025.3.4 Patch 1)
261.2.0.1.49
Quail 1 (2026.1.1)
Quail 4 (2026.1.4)
Older plugin builds remain available for earlier Android Studio releases, but they are out of date and will not receive further updates.
When you open the plugin’s JetBrains Marketplace page⁠ with Android Studio installed, the page detects your version and offers a compatible build. If no compatible build is offered, install a supported version from the Android Studio archive⁠, then try again.

Install from the JetBrains Marketplace

  1. Open Android Studio.
  2. Go to the Meta Horizon Marketplace page⁠.
  3. Click Install to Android Studio YOUR_VERSION.
  4. In Android Studio, click OK on the installation prompt.
  5. Restart Android Studio if prompted.

Install from inside Android Studio

  1. Open Android Studio settings and go to Plugins. On Windows and Linux, go to File > Settings > Plugins. On macOS, go to Android Studio > Settings > Plugins.
  2. Click Marketplace.
  3. Search for Meta, then select the Meta VR Android Studio Plugin and install it.
  4. Restart Android Studio if prompted.
The Android Studio plugin page in the JetBrains Marketplace
The first time you open a project after installation, a welcome dialog appears and a Meta VR tool window is added to the sidebar.

Use the plugin

Configure AI coding 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.
In the Meta VR Android Studio Plugin, open the Meta VR tool window. On the Meta VR CLI card, click Open in terminal, then run metavr init.
For full AI-tool setup, see Install Meta VR CLI for Android apps.

Create a project

The plugin adds a Meta VR project type to the Android Studio New Project wizard. The generated project is a normal Android project with panel sizing already configured, so you can start building right away.
  1. Go to File > New > New Project.
  2. Select the Meta VR template, then click Next.
  3. Fill in the project fields, then click Finish.

Alternatively, prepare an existing project

The plugin can generate separate Meta VR device and mobile product flavors for an existing Android project. Open the Meta VR tool window, click Create Product Flavors..., and follow the on-screen instructions. After the plugin configures the project, review the generated Gradle and source changes. See Use product flavors for separate APKs.

Find and fix incompatible libraries and permissions

The plugin flags code that will not work on Horizon OS while you edit. Libraries that are not compatible with Horizon OS, including Google Mobile Services and Google Play Billing, are underlined in your import list. Permissions that are not available on Horizon OS are underlined in AndroidManifest.xml. Both issue types also appear in the Problems window. When guidance is available, use the quick fix or Learn More link for details. See Unsupported dependencies and Unsupported permissions.
Add the supported-device metadata to each applicable manifest so the plugin recognizes the project and runs these inspections.
The canonical com.oculus.supportedDevices identifiers are:
Meta Quest devicesupportedDevices identifier
Meta Quest 2
quest2
Meta Quest Pro
questpro
Meta Quest 3
quest3
Meta Quest 3S
quest3s
Separate multiple identifiers with a pipe (|).
To declare support for all current Meta Quest devices, add this element to the application node in AndroidManifest.xml:
<meta-data
    android:name="com.oculus.supportedDevices"
    android:value="quest2|questpro|quest3|quest3s" />

Test on Meta Spatial Simulator

Open the Meta VR tool window and sign in with your Meta Horizon account⁠. Under Virtual Devices, download and start Meta Spatial Simulator. The plugin installs and manages the simulator, so you don’t need a separate installer. See Test your app on Meta Spatial Simulator for more details.

Test on a physical device

To test on hardware, enable developer mode and run from the toolbar. See Test your app on your device.
The Physical Devices section shows a connected Meta VR device and its battery information. Use it to capture screenshots or recordings, control the proximity sensor, restart the device, or shut it down.

Get support

The tool window links to Meta developer resources and support. See Meta Horizon Developer Support⁠.

Troubleshooting

Gradle uses the wrong JDK

If a newly created project cannot sync because Gradle is using an incompatible JDK, set the JDK for the Horizon OS template.

Disable or re-enable the plugin

To disable the plugin without removing it, go to Settings > Plugins > Installed, find the Meta VR Android Studio Plugin, and click Disable. Enable it again from the same place.
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