The Oculus Quest 2 is a great VR headset, and thanks to regular software updates, it keeps getting better. In fact, the Oculus Quest 2 software looks near unrecognisable compared to the software it shipped with back in 2020, with a range of new features and UI tweaks rolled out to the headset to improve the experience and functionality over time.
That makes Oculus Quest 2 software updates fairly important – so how can you make sure you’re running the latest software? We talk you through how to update the software on your Quest 2 right here, both automatically and manually.
What’s the latest software update for the Quest 2?
At the time of writing, Meta is in the process of rolling out v37 to Quest 2 users, introducing the framework for Horizon Home in the coming months with the ability to (finally) walk around the virtual Home environment. No friends can join your Horizon Home space just yet, but that’ll be coming soon.
It also features a new Stationary Guardian mode that utilises the passthrough camera in lieu of a wireframe, improved image sharpness using Oculus Link and more.
As with all Quest 2 updates, the rollout can take a few days to reach your headset once released to the public, so if you’re not seeing the update right now, just sit tight.
How to automatically keep the Quest 2 software up to date
The good news is that your Oculus Quest 2 should keep itself up to date if you use it regularly. It won’t download and install updates while you’re using the headset, of course, but it’ll run the update process when it’s connected to Wi-Fi, powered on and not in use.
There are a few stipulations to trigger the automatic update process, so if you’re finding that your Quest 2 isn’t automatically installing pending updates, follow these tips:
- Keep your headset charged up
- Make sure that your headset is powered on
- Make sure your Quest 2 is connected to an active Wi-Fi connection
- Leave the headset on a flat surface for a long period of time, ensuring that nothing is blocking the inside sensor
It’s worth noting that your Quest 2 won’t automatically install updates if it’s either sleeping or completely powered down. While the latter isn’t a surprise, the former is, considering the headset goes to sleep within 15 seconds of removing the headset.
How to manually download Quest 2 software updates
The finicky nature of automatic Oculus Quest 2 software updates meant Meta was forced to build a traditional manual update process into the headset – a feature that, surprisingly, wasn’t available at launch back in 2020.
The good news is that manually triggering a software update is a straightforward process that’ll require no more than for you to don the headset to access the Settings menu.
Here’s how to download the latest Quest 2 software updates manually:
- Put on your Oculus Quest 2.
- Press the Oculus button on the right controller to bring up the universal menu.
- Click the clock in the bottom-left of the universal menu to access the Quick Settings menu.
- Select the Settings (cog icon) in the top-right.
- Select System.
- Select Software Update from the left-hand menu.
- If there’s a software update available, select the Download Update button to start the update process.
The update should then be downloaded and installed on your headset – just be sure to leave it powered on, on a flat surface.
Interested in learning more about your VR headset? Take a look at our selection of the top Oculus Quest 2 tips to help you get the most from your virtual experience.
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Author: Lewis Painter, Senior Staff Writer
Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You'll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.