Meta just dropped some massive news for the XR industry, and if you’re using Quest devices for your business or organization, things are about to look a little different.
In a recent update from ArborXR, they broke down exactly what Meta’s pivot toward consumer tech means for the future of Enterprise VR. Here are the five key takeaways every XR manager needs to know:
1. HMS is Now Free (But There’s a Catch)
As of February 20th, Horizon Managed Services (HMS) is officially free for both new and existing customers. This is great news for reducing initial friction, as you no longer have to pay licensing fees to enroll Quest devices into a mobile device management (MDM) solution.
2. Horizon Managed Services is Entering “Maintenance Mode”
While it’s now free, Meta is putting HMS into maintenance mode through January 2030. This essentially means the product is at its “end of life.” Don’t expect any new features, major development, or robust support moving forward. Meta will keep the lights on, but the platform isn’t evolving anymore.
3. The End of “Commercial” Quest Hardware
Meta is no longer selling specific “Enterprise” or “Commercial” Quest units. Going forward, all Quest devices will be sold as consumer units. While the hardware itself remains excellent, the enterprise-level warranties and direct support from Meta are disappearing. If those protections are vital for your team, you’ll likely need to work with third-party resellers for extended coverage.
4. A Hard Pivot to Consumer & AI
Why the change? Meta is shifting its massive resources (we’re talking a team of over 13,000 people!) toward consumer VR, AI wearables, and AR glasses (like the popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses). This means they are intentionally pulling back from the enterprise and education sectors to focus on the general public.
5. Time to Look at Alternatives?
With Meta stepping back, the door is opening wider for competitors who are still investing heavily in the professional space. Many teams are beginning to look more closely at:
- Pico & HTC: Both have long-standing, dedicated enterprise products.
- Android XR: Keep an eye out for upcoming devices from players like Samsung.
The Bottom Line
If you’re running an XR program, HMS is now effectively just an “enrollment tool” to get you started. To manage a fleet at scale—with remote troubleshooting, content management, and security—you’ll likely need a dedicated MDM like ArborXR that is built to fill the gap Meta is leaving behind.