Meta is pivoting Horizon Worlds to a mobile-first strategy to move past its reliance on VR headsets.
Meta is moving its Horizon Worlds platform away from its focus on virtual reality headsets to prioritize smartphones. The company confirmed that the platform will now lead with a mobile-first approach instead of being centered on Quest hardware. This strategic shift separates the software from the VR hardware division and focuses on phones and tablets to reach a much larger audience.
Company leadership aims to compete directly with mobile-native social platforms that rely on user-generated content. This decision follows a restructuring of the Reality Labs division, which has seen multibillion-dollar losses linked to long-term metaverse spending. While Quest support will continue, Horizon Worlds itself is no longer being marketed as a headset-driven experience.
A mobile version allows Meta to engage users who do not own expensive VR equipment. High costs and the friction of wearing a headset have previously slowed the platform’s adoption. Meta is positioning Horizon to challenge established mobile apps like Roblox by launching on standard app stores. For developers, this means adapting to touch interfaces and various screen sizes.
It is a departure from the original vision of a headset-only future. Meta is acknowledging that smartphone usage dominates the current digital market by removing the Quest requirement. The immediate priority is now user growth through devices people already own. This represents a move from an exclusive hardware ecosystem to an accessible software model.
