Meta has confirmed that Horizon Worlds will stop working in virtual reality, marking a clear shift in its metaverse strategy as the company moves the platform to a mobile-only experience. The app will remain active on phones, but Quest headset users will lose access later this year, which signals a major change in how Meta plans to build its virtual ecosystem going forward.
The decision shows how Meta has adjusted its approach after Horizon Worlds failed to gain strong traction in VR, where users often criticized the experience for its visuals and low activity levels, even as the company continued to invest heavily in virtual reality hardware and long-term platform development.
On its community forums, Meta confirmed the timeline and explained the transition in detail. The company said, “By March 31, 2026, Horizon Worlds and Events will no longer appear in the Store on Quest,” and added that “after June 15, 2026, the Horizon Worlds app will be removed from Quest, and Worlds will no longer be available in VR.”
Dates and Changes
- March 24, 2026: Hyperscape capture viewing moves out of Horizon Worlds
- March 31, 2026: Horizon Worlds removed from Quest Store
- June 15, 2026: Full removal of Horizon Worlds from VR
Meta will continue to support Horizon Worlds on mobile, where users can access updated and optimized experiences without a headset, which reflects the company’s focus on broader accessibility instead of relying only on VR adoption.
At the same time, Meta said it still plans to invest in virtual reality hardware and development. The company stated, “We have a robust roadmap of future VR headsets that will be tailored to different audience segments as the market grows and matures.”
The shift closes a chapter in Meta’s original metaverse vision, which once aimed to bring users into VR for work and social interaction, but now leans toward mobile platforms where engagement remains stronger.
