How to setup & run a Unity VR development project on a Meta Quest 2

Two flowers that represent Unity and Meta side by side with the text "Run a Unity VR Development Project on a Meta Quest 2" beneath it.

A step by step tutorial on setting up & running a Unity VR development project on a Meta Quest 2.

The following tutorial builds on our Open Source tutorial & project for creating Meta Quest 2 VR experiences in Unity and walks you through how to run a Unity VR development project on a Meta Quest 2.

Please note that in order for this tutorial to work the Meta Quest 2 must have Developer Mode enabled, be turned on and plugged into your computer using the USB that comes with the Meta Quest 2.

Step One: Open the Project

A screenshot of the Unity Hub with our starter project highlighted.

Open Unity and select the project you wish to run in development mode.

Step Two: Open Build Settings

A screenshot of Unity showing you how to access the Build Settings on a Mac.

Open the Build Settings by going to File > Build Settings.

Step Three: Install Android

A screenshot of the Build Settings window with a highlight where you need to click to add Android to Unity.

In the window that appears, select Android. Then Select Install with Unity Hub.

Step Four: Add Android Build Support

A screenshot of the Unity Hub showing you how to add Android Build Support.

If you are not automatically redirected to the Unity Hub, navigate to it.

The Unity Hub should have animated to a window similar to the one in the image above, where you are offered to add Android Build Support, including OpenJDK and Android SDK & NDK Tools.

Make sure both are selected and press Continue.

Wait until the download has completed, when it is complete it will look similar to that below.

A screenshot of Unity Hub showing you that the install of the Android Build Support was completed.

Step Five: Close & Reopen the project

A screenshot of Unity with our starter project when first opened.

In order for Android to have registered in the system, you must close and open the project.

Step Six: Open Project Settings

A screenshot of Unity showing you how to access the Project Settings.

Open the Project Settings by going to Edit > Project Settings.

Step Seven: Enable Oculus

A screenshot of the Project Settings, showing you how to enable Oculus under the XR Plug-in Management, Android tab.

Select XR Plug-in Management on the side bar, then select the Android tab and make sure that Oculus is selected under Plug-in Providers.

Step Eight: Open Build Settings

Close the Project Settings window and open the Build Settings by going to File > Build Settings.

Step Nine: Complete the settings

A screenshot of Unity with the completed Build Settings for a Meta Quest 2.

The following step is aimed at completing the settings required for the project to run on a Meta Quest 2. Make sure that the Android tab is selected as you follow each sub step.

A | Select ASTC Texture Compression

A screenshot of the Android Build Settings, Texture Compression dropdown, showing you how to select the ASTC option.

In the Texture Compression dropdown select ASTC.

B | Select Run Device

A screenshot of the Android Build Settings, showing you how to select a Meta Quest 2 from the drop down of the Run Device option.

In the Run Device dropdown, select the Meta Quest 2 that you wish to develop on. If it does not appear, press Refresh.

If it still does not appear, put your Meta Quest on and enable USB Debugging. It should look similar to the screenshot below.

Once you have enabled USB Debugging, press Refresh again and the Meta Quest 2 should appear in the dropdown.

An image from the Oculus Developer website showing you what the Allow USB Debugging prompt looks like in a Meta Quest 2.

C | Select Switch Platform

A screenshot of the Android Build Settings window, with a highlight on the switch platform button.

Press Switch Platform at the bottom of the window.

Step Ten: Build and Run

A screenshot of the Android Build Settings in Unity, with a highlight on the Build and Run button.

Press Build and Run in the Build Settings window.

Step Eleven: Save the Build

A screenshot of the prompt that appears in Unity after pressing Build and Run, which requests you to save an Android APK to a location with a file name.

Select the location where you wish to save your project and the name that you wish to give to it. We called it Test Drive for purposes of the Tutorial.

Step Twelve: Verify

A Meta Quest 2 prompting you to put on your headset to experience the project that you have just setup to run in development mode in Unity.

Put on the Meta Quest 2 and immerse yourself in the Unity VR experience.

What is the fastest way to update the build?

A screenshot of Unity showing you how to access Build and Run through a dropdown.

The fastest way to see changes to your project, is by going to File > Build And Run.

This is also available as a keyboard shortcut via Command + B (MacOS) or Control + B (Windows).

How do I open the APK without running ?

Consult our tutorial on opening a development APK for a step by step tutorial.

Any Questions ?

We are actively looking for feedback on how to improve this resource. Please send us a note to inquiries@delasign.com with any thoughts or feedback you may have.