If you are within the Apple ecosystem and are considering buying the Meta Quest 3, you might wonder whether it's possible to connect it to a Mac or MacBook.
We know that you can connect the Meta Quest 3 to a PC to play PC VR games such as Pavlov VR and Phasmophobia. However, considering the popularity of Apple devices, it only seems logical for the Quest 3 to work seamlessly with them as well.
That's precisely what we'll explore in this guide—unveiling how to connect Meta Quest 3, one of the best VR headsets, to a Mac and MacBook and tap into new possibilities.
Can you connect Meta Quest 3 to a Mac or MacBook?
While connecting your Meta Quest 3 headset to a Mac or MacBook is possible, the available functionalities are limited. Meta Quest headsets are primarily designed to work with Windows-based PCs and laptops.
You can use Virtual Desktop to connect your Mac to Meta Quest 3 remotely. This turns your Meta Quest 3 into an extended display for your Mac, allowing you to watch movies in VR or interact with your Mac through a virtual screen environment. But it does come with a pricetag of $24.99.
Furthermore, you can connect your Quest 3 to your Mac or MacBook using a regular USB-C cable for seamless file transfers, including items like photos and videos. However, engaging in PC VR gaming is not achievable on a Mac.
You can opt for Apple's own Vision Pro VR headset if you're looking to dive into a more Mac-centric virtual reality experience. Or you can wait for the affordable version of the Vision Pro.
How to connect Meta Quest 3 to a Mac and MacBook
As mentioned, Virtual Desktop is the only viable option for connecting your Mac to Meta Quest 3 remotely. The process is identical to connecting an Oculus Quest 2 to an Apple Mac or MacBook.
To connect Meta Quest 3 to a Mac or MacBook, you need to install Virtual Desktop on your Meta Quest 3 and the Virtual Desktop Streamer app on your Mac. The Virtual Desktop app is available on the Meta Quest store for $24.99.
Once both apps are set up, all that's left is connecting them. The connection process is quite straightforward, as the apps' UIs are designed intuitively, making it easy to establish a connection between your Quest 3 and Mac without significant effort or time investment.
With that, we are wrapping up our guide on connecting Meta Quest 3 to a Mac or MacBook. Before you go, check out our other Quest 3 guides, like the one about battery life and how long it takes to charge.