Ram explains that Quest is based on Android Open Source Project, so developers can use familiar Android tools. Meta has used React Native for Quest’s feed, store, and product pages, and has opened support to third-party developers. React Native apps can display 2D panels in 3D space.
React Native Goes VR: Inside the Meta Quest Platform
Speakers
Ram, an engineering manager in Reality Labs at Meta, and Yanis, a software developer at Callstack, discuss building React Native apps for Meta Quest with host Łukasz on Callstack’s React Universe on Air podcast.
Yanis suggests meditation apps that use immersive visuals and spatial audio, along with games, sports, productivity, and social apps. Ram notes that panels can expand beyond phone-sized layouts, making them useful for theater-like video or large visualizations. Quest avatars and controller or hand input offer ways to adapt familiar apps to the headset.
Ram says developers can use familiar React Native event handling for touch and controller input, and Yanis reports that more than 90% of the tools and APIs he tried worked as on mobile. Some services, including notifications, payments, and location, need alternatives because Google Mobile Services are not included. Expo Go is available in the Quest Store, and developers can also connect the headset as an Android device and use the usual development workflow.
Yanis describes casting the headset view and arranging multiple virtual screens for code, mockups, and the running app, with passthrough to see the surroundings. Ram says React tools, console logs, Android Studio, and Perfetto can support debugging and profiling. He also advises checking Quest design guidance for larger buttons and more readable typography.
Ram describes using AI tools to help adapt an app’s layout and swap some Google Play service modules for Quest alternatives. He says a clock app he prompted Cursor to build was running within half an hour and submitted to the store within an hour. Both guests encourage React Native developers to try their apps on Quest and adapt them for the headset.
Takeaways
- Start with Expo Go on Quest to explore a React Native app before setting up a full device workflow.
- Treat Quest as an Android-based target, then check which Google Play service dependencies need substitutes.
- Adapt layouts for larger panels, readable text, and the headset’s spatial setting.
- Use familiar React Native and Android tools for debugging and performance profiling.
- Consider Quest use cases such as immersive media, meditation, productivity, and social experiences.
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What was claimed 17
- integrates withReact Native integrates with Androidexposes Android primitives for Quest apps
“integrate React Native into your native Android app”
0:00inIncremental React Native Adoption in Android AppsYouTube Verified3 sources· Talk
- featureCodePush: Delivers over-the-air updates to React Native apps
“CodePush is a way to update your React Native apps over the air”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- works at
“I'm an engineering manager in Reality Labs at Meta”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- role at
“I'm an engineering manager in Reality Labs at Meta”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- works at
“I'm a software developer at Callstack.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- built
“Meta Quest is basically an Android device, based on top of AOSP.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- uses
Meta Quest uses React Nativefor first-party apps and third-party development“The feed ... is written in React Native. The store page and product details page ... are also written in React Native.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest: Supports 2D panels positioned and moved in 3D space
“Now you can show them in a specialized format: pin them around and move them in 3D space.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest: Does not include Google Play services by default
“AOSP does not come with Google-specific services.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricMeta Quest: Over 90% of tested tools and APIs work as on mobile
“In over 90% of cases ... the answer is yes.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest: Most React Native tools and APIs work similarly to Android mobile development
“In over 90% of cases ... the answer is yes.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest: Expo Go can run projects by scanning a QR code
“Just go to the Meta Horizon Store, install Expo Go, run Expo on your device, scan the QR code”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- launchedExpo Go launched Meta Horizon Store
“Just go to the Meta Horizon Store, install Expo Go”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest emulator: Planned to let developers test without a Quest headset
“We're working on an emulator and hopefully trying to get it out as soon as we can.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- usesMeta Quest uses
Android Studiofor native debugging and profiling“because it's Android, you can use Android Studio and its native tools for debugging.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- usesMeta Quest uses Perfettofor performance tracing
“Talking about performance tools like Perfetto, your regular Android Studio profiler works.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureMeta Quest: Apps may need larger buttons and more readable typography
“buttons may need to be a bit bigger, and typography more readable.”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
