[UPDATE: Just Not Yet] Meta to Discontinue Horizon Worlds VR on Quest, Goes All-In on Mobile

[UPDATE: 19th March 2026, 22:19 IST] Meta has partially reversed its plan to shut down the VR version of Horizon Worlds. Originally, the VR app was set to close on June 15, with focus shifting entirely to mobile. In a Wednesday AMA, CTO Andrew Bosworth said existing VR worlds will remain available “for the foreseeable future” (via The Verge). He added that this decision is to support “the fans who reached out, like yourself, who really care about that.” Bosworth further says that Meta isn’t planning new VR Horizon Worlds games and remains focused on mobile “because that’s where most of the consumer and creator energy already was, and so we’re kind of leaning into that.”

[ORIGINAL STORY] Earlier this year, Meta reduced its Reality Labs workforce by around 10% and shut down multiple VR studios. Now, the company is making a major shift with its metaverse plans, and this time, it directly impacts its VR goals. Meta has officially announced that the VR version of Horizon Worlds is being discontinued, marking a clear pivot away from Quest-based experiences.

Meta shifts Horizon Worlds from VR to mobile

The update comes from Meta’s latest announcement, where the company revealed that Horizon Worlds will be removed from the Quest VR store by March 31, 2026 (via GameIndustry.biz). Following that, the platform will be fully inaccessible in VR starting June 15, 2026. Popular worlds like Horizon Central, Events Arena, Kaiju, and Bobber Bay will no longer be available on Quest devices.

As of now, Meta says users will still be able to access “mobile-optimised” versions of these experiences through the Meta Horizon mobile app. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy, which is reportedly focused on reaching a much larger audience beyond VR hardware.

Besides that, Meta is also shutting down Horizon Capture on March 24. Subscription perks related to Horizon Plus, including Meta Credits, digital clothing, avatars, and in-world purchases, will be removed by March 31. Speaking of core gaming benefits, Meta notes, “Your core MH+ gaming benefits and monthly games will not be affected.”

Not to forget, earlier this year, Meta also officially confirmed that it will discontinue workplace-focused metaverse platform, Horizon Workrooms, which is another clear step away from its earlier virtual office ambitions.

Article feature image source: Meta