Independent guide - not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta.
If you own a Meta Quest, the Meta Horizon phone app is the remote control for your account. Here is what it does, when you actually need it, and how to sort out the most common problems.
The short answer
The Meta Horizon app is Meta's free companion app for Quest headsets, available for iPhone and Android. Meta's official help page describes it as the place to set up your headset, manage your profile and device settings, set family permissions, cast what you see in VR to your phone, browse the Store and join multiplayer events. If you have heard of the Oculus app or the Meta Quest app, this is the same app under its current name.
You do not need to wear the headset to use it, and you do not need to open it every time you play. Think of it as the place where account, device and family settings live, with the Store and social features on top.
Do you need the app to use a Quest?
For setup, yes. Meta's Quest 3 setup guide has you pair the headset with the Meta Horizon app on your phone during first-time setup, and notes that you will not need to use the app every time you use your headset after that. Your phone needs Bluetooth turned on so it can find the headset nearby.
You will also come back to the app for jobs that are easier on a phone, or only possible there. The clearest example is pairing controllers: Meta's controller pairing article says controllers cannot be paired without the app. Our controller troubleshooting guide walks through that process step by step.
What the app is used for day to day
Device settings. From the menu, Devices shows each headset on your account. From there you can check for software updates, manage controllers and change settings that are awkward to reach in VR. Meta's settings guide shows where each option lives.
Casting. You can cast the headset view to your phone so others can watch. Our casting guide covers phone, browser and TV options.
Store and library. You can browse and buy apps from your phone, and they are tied to your Meta account so they appear on the headset. Our guide to buying VR games for less has tips on doing that sensibly.
Family and teen settings. Parents use the app's Family Center to supervise teen accounts and manage younger children's profiles. More on that below.
Requirements and where to download it
Meta's help page lists iOS 15.1 or later or Android 5.0 or later, and notes the app may not work on tablets. Download it only from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Avoid APK sites and "Meta Horizon app download" links on third-party websites: the official stores are the only safe source, and you never need to pay for the app itself.
If you were looking for a Meta Horizon app for Windows, that is a different product. Connecting a Quest to a gaming PC uses the Meta Horizon Link desktop software, covered in Meta's Link and Air Link setup article and in our PC connection guide.
Parental supervision in the app
Meta's supervision article explains that supervision for teens aged 13 to 17 is optional and both parent and teen must agree to it. Once set up, parents can see time spent in apps, set daily limits and scheduled breaks, approve or block apps and purchases, and manage access to features such as Link, Air Link and developer mode. Parents cannot read a teen's private messages. Children aged 10 to 12 use parent-managed profiles, which Meta covers separately. Meta's Family Center page summarises the options, and our VR for kids and families guide puts them in context.
When the app is not working
Most app problems come down to three things. First, make sure the app is up to date from your phone's app store. Second, check that your phone and headset are signed in to the same Meta account and are on the same Wi-Fi network. Third, turn Bluetooth on and keep the headset switched on, unlocked and close to the phone when pairing or changing device settings. If the app cannot see a headset that will not power on at all, start with our Quest not turning on guide instead.
If problems continue, use the Meta Quest Help Centre or Meta Store Support. Never share your Meta password or two-factor codes with anyone offering to fix the app for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Meta Horizon app?
It is Meta's free phone companion app for Quest headsets, formerly called the Oculus app and the Meta Quest app. It handles setup, device settings, controller pairing, casting, the Store and family supervision.
Is the Meta Horizon app required to use a Quest?
You need it for first-time setup and for some jobs such as pairing controllers. After setup Meta says you will not need to open it every time you use the headset.
Is the Meta Horizon app free?
Yes. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Games and subscriptions bought through it are separate purchases.
Can I get the Meta Horizon app on a PC?
The phone app is for iOS and Android. To play PC VR on a Quest you use Meta's separate Meta Horizon Link software for Windows.
Why is my Meta Horizon app not connecting to my headset?
Update the app, sign in to the same Meta account on phone and headset, put both on the same Wi-Fi network, turn on Bluetooth and keep the headset on, unlocked and nearby.