1: Turn on the 120 Hz refresh rate.
Quest 3 defaults to a refresh rate of 90 Hz (i.e., how often the screen refreshes). You can increase the refresh rate to 120 Hz for a better viewing experience with less lag. And you'll be less likely to experience nausea.
How do you activate Quest 3's 120Hz refresh rate?
- Navigate to Settings → System → Display on your headset.
- Turn on the "120Hz Refresh Rate."
Quest menus should now default to 120 Hz, and any program that supports 120 Hz should be able to use this mode as well. Keep in mind that this may slightly affect battery life.
2: Calorie counting
You can see your current calorie status through an app overlay on the Meta Quest 3 if you use it as a fitness tracker. Install the Move app from the library, configure it with your preferences and start it up. You can then use the smartphone app to view stats.
3: Enable Passthrough
Using the headset's sensors, the VR feature Passthrough shows the user's environment in real time. It was updated to full color for Meta Quest 2 after being available in monochrome in the original headset.
When Passthrough is enabled, the real and virtual worlds are mixed while using specific apps or during the "Guardian" installation process. This feature is easy to use with the Double Tap for Passthrough shortcut. Enable Double Tap for Passthrough by going to Settings in the main menu, selecting Guardian and then selecting Quick Settings. With two taps on the headset, you can now enable or disable Passthrough.
4: Creating your own 360-degree background
You can use your own 360° photo as the background instead of the pre-installed photos.
Setting a 360° background in Quest Home:
- Navigate to Settings → Personalization → Virtual Environment on your headset.
- Navigate all the way down the Virtual Environment list.
- Move the mouse pointer over "Custom Skybox View."
- You can now choose your own skybox or one of the pre-installed skyboxes.
Keep in mind that the background and a few other elements are not displayed in Quest 3 Home's default setting. Most settings display your skybox, but some offer a better view than others, so try a few and see which you like best.
5: Pair keyboard and mouse
To use the web browser on the Quest 3, you can pair it with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. To do this, add the required devices under Bluetooth settings.
6: Connect Quest Pro Controller
If you have a Quest Pro Controller, you can pair it by selecting "Pair new controller" in the smartphone app after going to Menu > Devices > Meta Quest 3 > Headset settings > Controller. Use both controllers to do this.
7: Use hand tracking
Users can use hand gestures instead of controllers to control their Meta Quest thanks to hand tracking. The functionality is supported by a number of games and apps, including Piano Vision, Vacation Simulator and Cubism. Without a controller, it is an excellent method for exploring the Web or experimenting with video apps, although in-game functionality and usability may vary. The ability to switch smoothly between hand tracking and controllers is provided by an auto-switch feature. Pointing and pinching to choose, pinching and scrolling to navigate and palm pinching to return to the Meta Home menu are among the supported movements.
8: Linking Quest Pro controllers
If you have the Quest Pro Controllers, you can pair them by selecting "Pair new controller in the smartphone app after going to Menu > Devices> Meta Quest 3 > Headset Settings> Controller. Do this for both controllers.
9: Watching movies
On the Quest 3 you can watch movies. This can be done, for example, with the built-in Quest 3 player or with the programs SkyBox, Bigscreen, a virtual theater, and Virtual Desktop, which also allows you to stream movies from your PC. 3D movies are also supported.
>> Check out our list of the best VR video apps here <<
10: Create an avatar
For example, if you invite friends to your "home environment," they can see the avatar you created for your Meta account. To do this, simply click on the mirror in your home environment to open an avatar customization window. Under Personalization -> Interactive Objects in the settings, you can turn the avatar mirror on and off.
11: Look for updates
Updates for your Quest 3 do not always install themselves on their own. Go to Settings -> System -> Software Update to see if a new update is available. You will see an update when it is available. To always receive the latest updates even when your Quest is off, you should also enable the "Automatically turn on the headset for updates" option.
12: Notifications on smartphones
In Quest 3, you can see notifications from your smartphone. To do this, use the Meta smartphone app and activate it under Menu > Devices > Meta Quest 3 > Headset Settings > Phone Notifications.
13: Developer mode
For certain things, such as Sideloading, you need a developer account and mode. Go to the Meta Developer page and convert your account to a developer account to accomplish this. Then activate developer mode for the smartphone app by going to Menu > Devices > Meta Quest 3 > Headset Settings > Developer Settings.
>> Go to the Meta Developer page here <<
>> Read all about Sideloading here <<
14: Shortcut for screenshots and video recording
It's likely that if you're new to the Quest 3, you'll want to take and save screenshots of your VR antics. Fortunately, there is a shortcut that allows you to do this easily, even while playing a game.
Screenshot shortcut:
Hold down the Meta button (menu button on the right controller) and pull the trigger once.
Start video recording shortcut:
Hold down the Meta button (menu button on the right controller) and then pull the trigger for a few seconds. You will see a message appear when the recording has started.
End video recording shortcut:
If you are already recording a video, you can run the same command as the End Video Recording shortcut to stop recording. This works regardless of whether you started the recording with the shortcut, with your voice, or via the regular record button.
15: Measure the distance between your eyes.
You can measure the distance between your eyes in a few different ways, and in Quest 3 you have to adjust it with the wheel under your headset to see everything correctly. Using a ruler is the simplest but least accurate way. An app to measure distances on your smartphone is better. However, having an optometrist measure the distance is the safest way. This only takes a few seconds and they often do it for free.
>> Measure the distance between your eyes with an iOS app <<
>> Measure the distance between your eyes with an Android app <<
16: Resetting the screen
Press and hold the meta button on the right controller for two seconds to reset the display of the start menu and your active app.
17: Use hardware or software to extend your battery life.
The Meta Quest 3's battery lasts about two hours on average. There are options to increase this using hardware or software. To extend battery life, the Quest 3 has an Extended Battery Mode. Turn on the Extended Battery Mode switch in the headset's settings under System > Power. To save power and extend battery life, this mode reduces brightness, resolution and possibly frame rate. Another alternative for people who choose not to reduce performance via software is to use first- and third-party battery packs.
18: Reset the Quest 3 settings to the default settings
You can perform a "factory reset" from recovery mode if your VR headset stops working (properly) even after rebooting, or if you want to sell the headset and a reset via the app doesn't work. To do this, turn the Quest 3 off completely. The Quest 3 will then turn back on if you briefly press the "volume down" and "on/off" keys at the same time. Release the keys as soon as the Meta logo appears. Press the menu icon and select "Factory Reset."
19: Making app purchases refundable
If you purchased an app from the Meta Store and have not used it for more than two hours, you can return it for a refund as long as you purchased the app within the last 14 days. To do this, go to Menu > Settings> Purchase in your Meta app on your smartphone. To "return" an app, click on the three dots next to it and then select "Request a refund."
20: Sharing apps
App Sharing allows you to share your game collection with friends or family members. Your friend must use his/her meta account on your Quest 3 to log in to your app under Settings and Account to get this done. Then in the same menu, enable "app sharing." On his Quest 3, your friend can then browse your game library. Unfortunately, this is not compatible with multiplayer games.
21: Disable automatic activation.
If you find it annoying that the Quest 3 turns on automatically, you can disable the "Automatic activation" feature in the smartphone app by going to Menu > Devices > Meta Quest 3 > Headset Settings > Power Settings.
