Unboxing and Getting to Know Your Meta (Oculus) Quest 2
The Quest 2 is one of the most user-friendly VR experiences ever made, and it comes with everything you need right in the box. When you first remove the slipcover and open the box, you’ll find the Quest 2 headset cradled in the middle along with a spacer, and the touch controllers on either side. The Quest 2 headset is both a VR headset and a compact computer all in one, which is why you can use it both with and without a VR-ready PC. It’s worn like a set of oversized goggles, while the controllers are held as one in each hand. The third item that you see immediately upon opening the box is a spacer that you may need to use if you wear glasses. To install it, you need to pop the foam and plastic face pad off the headset, insert it into the headset, then replace the face pad. To get the controllers ready, look for small plastic tabs on each handle, and pull them out. The controllers come with batteries already installed, so pulling the tabs will cause them to power up. Now that you’ve unboxed your Quest 2, you’ll want to get it ready for the setup process. To get the ball rolling, follow these steps:
Download and Install the Meta Quest App
While your headset is performing any necessary updates, you can take the opportunity to download and install the Meta Quest app on your phone. The app is available for both Android and iOS, and it lets you manage your Quest 2 experience when you aren’t in VR. It includes a store where you can buy new Quest games, and it’s also necessary if you want to use parental controls with your Quest. Here’s how to set up your Meta Quest app:
How to Set Up Meta (Oculus) Quest 2
With your app set up, your headset should now have enough of a charge to set it up, and it should be done with any necessary updates. If you put it on and see the Quest 2 is still updating, place it securely on a desk or table and come back later. Here’s how to set up a Quest 2:
How to Set Up Your Guardian Boundary
Since the Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset, you can use it in a couple of different ways. You can use it while sitting down stationary, in which case it will track your head movement but not your body movement. You can also set up a guardian boundary, or a safe play area, in which case you will be able to walk around in VR, crouch, sit down, stand up, and otherwise move around the virtual space by moving around in the real world. Here’s how to set up your Quest 2 guardian boundary:
Using the Quest 2 Touch Controllers
The Quest 2 comes with two Oculus Touch controllers capable of tracking your movements using the same technology the headset uses. These controllers function a lot like a regular console or pc gamepad, and they include two analog sticks, four face buttons, two triggers, two grip buttons, a menu button, and an Oculus button. In addition to these buttons, the controllers also track the position of your hands, which allows you to pick up and manipulate objects in some games. In the Oculus Quest 2 interface, you use the controllers to point at menu objects and select them by pushing a button or trigger. Here’s what the buttons on the Touch controllers do:
Thumbsticks: Used to navigate virtual environments. Depending on the game, you may be able to move around or adjust your camera with these sticks, although most games allow you to shift the view of the camera by moving your head.Triggers: These buttons rest naturally under your index fingers. They can select menu items in the Quest 2 interface, and perform various operations in games. When supported, you can point a virtual finger by lifting your index finger off the trigger.Grip buttons: These buttons are on the grips and triggered by your middle finger. Games typically use these buttons to let you grab onto objects with your virtual hand, or fold and extend your non-index fingers.Note: Some games let you make a fist by touching both the grip and trigger buttons, and open your hand by moving your fingers off these buttons.ABXY: These buttons perform various functions on different games. In the Quest 2 interface, A and X select things while B and Y take you back to the previous menu.Menu button: This button typically opens menus.Oculus button: Pressing this button opens the toolbar or universal menu. Holding the button recenters your view in VR.
You’re Ready to Play in VR
Your Quest 2 is now ready to go, you have the Meta Quest app on your phone, and you have an understanding of how the controls work. That means you’re ready to jump into your first game. You might want to start by trying out some free games, like Horizon Worlds or VR Chat, to get the feel of how VR works, or jump into a modern classic like Beat Saber. Here’s how to start playing your first VR game. Make sure your headset and controllers are charged.
