Virtual Reality has been making big advances in capability in popularity over the past few years. But if you already have an Xbox gaming console or you’re considering purchasing one, you might wonder if Xbox can also support VR gaming.
The answer is basically no – the Microsoft Xbox console does not support true 360 VR. This includes the Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. However, there is a possible way to play your favorite Xbox games using a VR headset, BUT there are a couple of important limitations and background info you should know.
Microsoft Xbox VR support roadmap
As of 2022, Microsoft does not produce an Xbox gaming console that enables immersive 360 VR. There is a separate Mixed Reality project called Microsoft Hololens, but that is not truly immersive VR, it’s very expensive (multiple thousands of dollars). Right now there is no direct connection between that technology and gaming capability on Xbox.
Microsoft has stated publicly that they are currently focused on software aspects of gaming, and that they don’t plan to invest heavily in VR hardware for Xbox in the near future.
How Can You Play Xbox Games with a VR Headset?
With the above caveat in mind, there are a few ways that you can actually use a VR headset to play Xbox games. We will cover these three possible approaches below.
However, it’s important to know that regardless of which approach you use below, the Xbox games do not actually function in full 360 VR. Instead, it basically works like playing your Xbox game on a large-screen TV in a virtual living room.
While not a fully immersive gaming experience, this can still be pretty convenient because:
a) It can free up your TV for others in your house to use
b) If you don’t have a big TV screen, playing in VR can make it feel like a bigger screen
c) if you have challenges with glare, noise, or other distractions, playing on a virtual big screen within your VR headset can still feel more immersive compared to using a TV
If it is not really VR, why play Xbox games on a VR headset?
In addition to the points above, there is another reason that many gamers want to play Xbox games in VR headsets, even if it doesn’t enable true 360 degree immersive virtual reality.
Xbox has invested heavily in gaming software over the past few years and has published some of the most popular games on the market. In some cases, gamers feel that these games are more fun to play even if they aren’t truly VR.
What VR headsets work with Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X?
Not every headset works with the Xbox One, or Xbox in general. Popular headsets that work using the methods describe below include:
• Oculus Rift, Quest (Meta Quest), and Quest 2
• Sony Playstation VR headset (PSVR)
There may be other methods for other headsets using a similar approach or concepts to the methods described above. If you try it out and have success, do let us know so we can add to our list!
Method 1:
Xbox Games on Oculus Quest with Microsoft GamePass
In a recent joint announcement with Meta (owner of Oculus VR headsets), Microsoft has said that they will soon enable users of the Microsoft GamePass Ultimate package to play games on Oculus hardware.
Microsoft GamePass Ultimate is a subscription service that enables subscribers to play from a collection of Microsoft games in a VR headset via an internet connection to games that are stored and run remotely on a cloud-based server.
Not every VR headset will support this, but Meta/Oculus (formerly Facebook) has committed to enabling it on Quest VR via the associated app store.
This announcement was made in October of 2022, and so far a specific go-live date has not yet been announced. However, once this service is available it will be the easiest way to access and play Xbox games using a VR headset.
What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a gaming platform from Microsoft that allows users to subscribe and play games on multiple platforms including Xbox consoles, PCs, and in the near future on virtual reality headsets.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is a gaming platform that works with Microsoft cloud computing. It enables developers to create games that can be played on any compatible device, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs. It is not currently sold on its own, but is an additional free perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.
One advantage of playing remotely via the cloud is that the device you are using doesn’t have to have especially strong computing capability, since the game application is actually running on a remote server with plenty of compute power.
Method 2:
Workaround to Play Xbox Games on Oculus Quest 2 Now
Until the Xbox Game Pass app is not yet available for Oculus, a workaround is required for Xbox gamers to play games on the Oculus Quest 2.
It’s a bit involved, but may be worth it for people who really need to access their Xbox games via their Oculus VR headset.
Xbox on Quest Workaround for Mac Users
1. Make sure developer mode is enabled on your Oculus (separate tutorial here)
2. Make sure you have SideQuest set up on your computer, and practice using it to load new apps onto your Quest (separate tutorial here, but basically, SideQuest enables you to load new applications on your Quest. These applications are usually APK files (Android Application Packages).
3. Go to the app store and download the Microsoft Edge Web Browser (arm64-v8a) APK
4. Connect your Oculus to your computer and go into the SideQuest App
5. Install the Microsoft Edge Web Browser APK file
6. Go to Bluetooth pairing, and pair your Oculus with your Xbox controller (it connects via Bluetooth controller)
7. Press and hold the pairing button on your Xbox controller
8. In your Quest menu, go to unknown sources, and select the Edge browser APK that you downloaded
9. In the Edge browser, enter the link for your Xbox Game Pass account and save the link to make it easy to find in the future
As mentioned above, it’s important to note that the gameplay will still be in 2D, like playing on a television but inside your Oculus headset.
Xbox on Quest Workaround for PC Users
For users running windows with Xbox Gaming Companion installed, you can send a video stream from your Xbox to be mirrored on your PC screen. You can then stream directly from your PC to your Quest Headset.
To do this, you’ll need to first make sure that streaming is allowed on your Xbox console, and double check that you can now stream from your Xbox to the display of your PC.
Here are the steps after that:
1. Install Virtual Desktop app on your PC
2. Install Virtual Desktop client on your Quest or Quest 2 VR headset
3. Launch the Virtual Desktop app on your PC, and verify that you can now see your PC screen in your Quest headset
4. Use Xbox Console Companion to start stream from your Xbox to your PC. You should now be able to see your Xbox stream on your Oculus by streaming it through your PC.
Method 3:
Xbox One Streaming with Oculus Rift
If you have a gaming PC that is setup to run the older Oculus Rift headset, you should be able to use the Xbox One streaming app to stream games from your Xbox to your Rift headset. You need to make sure that your Xbox One console is on the same WiFi network as the PC that is connected to your Oculus Rift.
This method should also work for the Oculus Quest, as long as the Quest is set up to run as a PC VR headset (like the Oculus Rift).
Several users have reported bugs with this method, so your luck may vary, as the software seems to have not been updated in some time (it was originally intended for the Oculus Rift which is no longer in production).
Xbox VR Gaming with Playstation VR Headset (PSVR)
Another option that some users have had success with is connecting their PSVR (Playstation VR) to their Xbox.
This works by using Cinema mode or passthrough function on your Playstation, and requires connecting the below components:
• the Playstation gaming console
• the Playstation VR headset and processing box
• Xbox gaming console
Here is how it works:
- Set up the Playstation as you normally would for PSVR, including connecting USB cable from PSVR processing box to PS4/PS5
- Connect Xbox gaming console to Playstation HDMI passthrough
You should then be able to view your Xbox gameplay as a 2D virtual screen inside your PSVR headset.
Why doesn’t Xbox have VR capability?
While the Xbox One can support some limited forms of VR gaming as described above, it’s not as robust as what you’ll find on a PC-tethered system or with standalone VR Headsets such as the Oculus Quest (Meta Quest), or even the Playstation VR that works with the Sony Playstation gaming console.
The main reason for this is that the Xbox One was not designed with VR gaming in mind. Among other challenges, the Xbox console only outputs at 1080p, while most VR systems require a display resolution of 2160 x 1200 pixels (or two 1080p displays side-by-side) to work properly.
If you are looking for the best VR headsets, we recommend considering a headset that is truly focused on a great VR experience as opposed to a gaming console. For example, the Oculus Quest or HTC Vive are solid options, you can check our separate article on this topic for more details on other VR headsets.
Sony Playstation, a competing game console with VR capability
For those who are set on a traditional gaming console that also happens to support a VR experience, the Sony Playstation 5 is another solid option. Sony currently has a virtual reality headset called the PSVR that works with either the Sony Playstation 4 and Sony Playstation 5. In addition, they have announced that they are continuing to develop products in this space and plan to soon release a new second version of Playstation VR called PSVR2.
By contrast, Microsoft has not indicated that they have any near-term plans to bring true virtual reality to the Xbox gaming platform.
Given the reality of personal computer or standalone headset capabilities as compared to game consoles, you should not expect Playstation VR or PSVR2 to be the best VR headset on the market. However, it will work seamlessly with the Playstation game console, and the price point is lower compared to the most popular VR headsets.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best VR headset to experience VR with the latest and best virtual reality tech, Microsoft Xbox does not offer it at this time.
Similar to Samsung, which recently ended support for Samsung Gear VR features on Samsung devices, Microsoft has not made immersive VR gaming a priority, and does not currently support or sell VR headsets with the same capabilities as a standalone virtual reality headset.
Along with many other Xbox users, we would love to see Microsoft support VR headsets and virtual reality gaming for the Xbox platform in the future.
Limitations on current Xbox VR capability that you should know:
For now, the Xbox does not have the ability to:
• navigate virtual environments with 360 degree surrounding views
• control virtual reality environments by rotating or pointing your head
• use external tracking sensors to track the user’s movements within a room
