News Summary

Meta Platforms has announced the shutdown of its Horizon Worlds metaverse for virtual reality users, with the service becoming inaccessible via VR headsets after June 15, 2026. This move is part of Meta’s strategic pivot to focus exclusively on a mobile-only experience of Horizon Worlds. The company previously indicated this transition in February and has now confirmed the timeline for the VR version’s deprecation. Users will no longer be able to access virtual worlds such as Horizon Central and Events Arena on VR, although the mobile app for iOS and Android will remain available. Additionally, the Hyperscape Capture feature, which allowed VR headset users to capture and share 3D scans of real-life locations, will also be discontinued. Meta attributes this shift to the positive momentum and relative success in supporting the mobile version of Horizon Worlds.