Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, recently announced via Instagram that the company will continue to support Horizon Worlds in virtual reality (VR), despite earlier indications it would cease this functionality. This news has provided reassurance to a small but dedicated group of VR users who were disheartened by the prospect of losing access to the platform.
Initially, Meta had hinted this year at the discontinuation of Horizon Worlds on its Quest VR headsets, marking a significant shift for an app originally envisioned as a key player in social VR experiences. Subsequently, Meta confirmed that it would transition the app to mobile and web platforms exclusively on June 15. However, this announcement was quickly reversed, allowing Horizon Worlds to remain operational on Quest headsets.
The decision to maintain the VR aspect of Horizon Worlds is indicative of Meta’s struggles with its Reality Labs division, which has seen losses of approximately $73 billion since the company’s rebranding from Facebook in 2021. This staggering figure highlights the challenges Meta faces as consumer interest in the metaverse wanes. IDC reported a 16% decline in Quest headset sales from the previous year, raising doubts about Meta’s ability to compete effectively against smartphones in the hardware sector. Similarly, Apple has encountered difficulties with its Vision Pro headset, necessitating a reduction in production due to tepid demand.
In response to this downturn, Meta has implemented substantial cuts within Reality Labs, affecting around 1,500 employees and closing several game development studios. Speculation persists about further layoffs, potentially impacting 20% of the workforce.
Despite the continued support for Horizon Worlds on Quest headsets, Meta seems to be prioritising the mobile version of the app. Bosworth acknowledged that the audience for Horizon on mobile is significantly larger and that the team is finding more success in this format. The mobile app has recorded 45 million total downloads across iOS and Google Play, achieving a noteworthy 53% increase in downloads in early 2026 compared to the previous year.
However, despite having gained popularity, consumer spending on Horizon Worlds remains disappointingly low, with total expenditures amounting to just $1.1 million—insignificant when compared to Meta’s substantial investments in the metaverse.
In summary, while Horizon Worlds will continue to operate in VR, Meta’s focus is clearly shifting towards enhancing its mobile offering. The company faces the urgent need for increased consumer spending to justify its ongoing investment in the metaverse, as it navigates a challenging marketplace and dwindling interest in VR technologies.
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