Hey everyone! I’m on the lookout for VR headsets that allow for some serious customization—like installing different operating systems or running any software I want, whether through official or unofficial means. Any suggestions for headsets that are mod-friendly and come with documented methods for digging into their software? Think of it as rooting or jailbreaking, but for VR. Appreciate any insights you can share. Thanks!
P.S. Gear VR is on my radar.
3 Answers
While you can’t exactly ‘jailbreak’ the Quest 3, it’s possible to sideload apps, including Android APKs. The Quest’s OS is based on Android, which allows for some flexibility, but it won’t let you replace core functions or the operating system itself. This sideloading capability is neat if you want to try unconventional apps, though.
The only standalone VR headset I know of that offers root access is the Lynx R1. With it, you could potentially run a different OS altogether, assuming you’re into that. Just a heads-up, it’s a Kickstarter project and might not be available off-the-shelf just yet. Definitely worth checking out if it fits the kind of modding you’re interested in.
With any Quest headset, you can actually run various Android apps directly. However, there’s still no official jailbreak method for these headsets, and replacing the native OS would be pretty much useless since you’d lose 3D features, tracking, and inputs. For basic app experimentation, though, they’re a decent choice!
