Meta wants to make it easy for Quest VR users to log into its Metaverse

Meta has introduced a new way for people to log into their Quest VR headsets without needing a Facebook account. The company made the announcement in a press release stating that the changes will begin on August 2022. 

“Starting in August 2022, if you’re new to Meta VR devices or have previously merged your Oculus account with your Facebook account, you’ll need to create a Meta account and Meta Horizon profile.”

Meta wants to transfer your Oculus profile into a new customisable Meta Horizon profile, which will then become how you represent your social presence in VR. This will help to provide a clear separation between your Facebook past and VR future.

Meta says if you have been logging into your VR device with an Oculus account, you can continue to do so until January 1, 2023. 

This makes sense as the need for Facebook accounts will no longer discourage people from buying Quest VR headsets since they only need a Meta account to log in. 

In addition to a Meta account, users will also have to create a Meta Horizon Profile. Rather than just a username to share with friends, this is a customisable digital avatar.

A standard Horizon Profile will include a unique username, a profile name that’s visible to other users while in VR, a profile photo, and an avatar. Those who already have an Oculus profile will have it converted to a Horizon profile with new options.

Despite not being a social media profile, there are a lot of social media-like features tied to owning a Meta account, albeit with a fair amount of control. Users will be able to choose if they want their account to be open to the public, to friends and family, or stay completely private.

The first option allows anyone to follow an account and see their activity and activity status. However, the last two options give users the choice to approve who can follow them. Furthermore, for those whose accounts are open to friends and family, only their followers can see their activity and activity status.

Meta notes, “People between the ages of 13 and 17 will have their Meta Horizon profiles set to private by default.” This prevents people from seeing their activities or activity status. 

Though they will still receive follower requests but have the choice to review them before choosing to accept or reject them. 

Meta, however, states that “strangers” will be able to view a private account’s profile picture, avatar, username, follower count of a user with a private account, together with the number of people they follow. 

In addition, those who already own a VR headset will have their Oculus friends automatically converted to followers, but they will have the option to remove a follower at any time.