In a significant shift for its metaverse ambitions, Meta has announced that it will shut down Horizon Worlds on its Quest headsets, with plans to transition the platform to a mobile-only experience by June 15, 2026. The application will be removed from the Quest store on March 31, 2026, marking the end of an era for a platform that has struggled to attract a large user base.
Launched in 2021, Horizon Worlds was envisioned as a cornerstone of Meta’s metaverse strategy, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg had touted as the future of the company when he rebranded Facebook to Meta. However, despite the initial excitement, Horizon Worlds has only managed to gather a couple hundred thousand active users per month.
Reality Labs, the division responsible for developing Horizon Worlds, has faced significant challenges, accumulating nearly $80 billion in losses since 2020. Recently, Meta cut over 1,000 jobs at Reality Labs, affecting about 10 percent of its VR workforce, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations.
In a statement, Meta explained, “We are separating the two platforms so each can grow with greater focus, and the Horizon Worlds platform will become a mobile-only experience.” This pivot reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, where mobile platforms are increasingly seen as more accessible and scalable.
Mark Zuckerberg remains optimistic about the future of the metaverse, stating, “The metaverse will reach a billion people, host hundreds of billions of dollars of digital commerce, and support jobs for millions of creators and developers.” Yet, the transition away from VR raises questions about the viability of Meta’s original vision.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding whether future Meta headsets will work with phones to access experiences, and there are lingering uncertainties about the company’s long-term commitment to virtual reality. As Meta navigates this transition, the community watches closely to see how these changes will impact the broader landscape of digital interaction and commerce.
