Meta has launched Horizon managed services (HMS), replacing Quest for Business as its first-party device management system, and has made ArborXR an approved third-party MDM.
This change affects how organizations manage Quest deployments, requiring all Quest devices (OS v74+) to use Horizon managed services for enrollment into third-party MDMs. In addition, Quest devices can only be enrolled into approved third-party MDMs.
Key Takeaways
HMS is now mandatory for enrolling & managing Quest devices.
ArborXR is now an approved third-party MDM and integrates with HMS.
HMS offers basic MDM features, but most organizations will need a more flexible and powerful device management solution.
What is Horizon managed services?
Horizon managed services is Meta's first-party device management solution for Meta Quest devices. It provides basic device management features and integrates with third-party mobile device management (MDM) solutions like ArborXR for more advanced control.
Here's a breakdown of what Horizon managed services offers:
First-party MDM solution: Developed by Meta for Meta Quest devices.
Basic device management: Provides tools for managing Quest headsets.
Integration with approved third-party MDMs: Works seamlessly with third-party MDMs like ArborXR for enrollment enhanced management capabilities.
Replaces Quest for Business: Serves as the new commercial platform for Quest headsets.
Required on Meta OS 74 and later: Required for devices not already enrolled in MDM running Meta OS v74 and later.
Free for a limited time: Offered free for two years with new device purchases made through commercial channels.
If you're interested in using Horizon managed services, you can sign up here or contact Meta sales for more information here.
How does Horizon managed services impact device management platforms like ArborXR?
Horizon managed services is Meta’s first-party device management system for Meta Quest devices. However, this shift also limits sideloading third-party MDMs making HMS a required intermediary for enrolling Quest devices.
New Requirement: All new Quest devices must have an active HMS license before enrolling in a third-party MDM like ArborXR.
No More Sideloading: Previously, organizations could sideload MDMs like ArborXR. Now, HMS must be used to enroll Quest devices.
Meta Approved Third-Party MDMs: Devices can only enroll into Meta approved third-party MDMs like ArborXR.
Why Use ArborXR with Horizon managed services?
While Horizon managed services as a first-party MDM offers tools for managing Quest devices, ArborXR enhances this foundation with a comprehensive suite of features and industry-leading support. Here's why you should use ArborXR in conjunction with Horizon managed services:
Manage Your Entire XR Ecosystem:
ArborXR supports a wide range of XR devices, including PICO, HTC VIVE, Magic Leap 2, and more, giving you a single platform to manage your entire XR ecosystem.
Effortless Enrollment:
No individual/personal Meta accounts.
No need to enable developer mode, making device onboarding faster and easier.
Say goodbye to USB cables! Enroll your Quest devices wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
Enhanced User Experience:
No more escape hatches into the Meta Home Environment if using ArborXR Home or ArborXR Kiosk Mode.
Quick access to all device system settings when using ArborXR Home or ArborXR Kiosk Mode.
Create a Tailored XR Experience:
Design a fully branded home environment with custom shortcuts to essential content, providing a seamless and professional experience for your users.
Streamline Device and Content Management:
Remotely launch apps, reboot devices, wipe app data, and track device location with ease.
Seamlessly connect to a custom storage bucket for self-hosting content, manage versions and release channels, schedule content installs, and more.
Unlock Advanced Capabilities:
Utilize features like EST Wi-Fi, in-VR SSO, and developer tools (API and CLI) to tailor ArborXR to your specific needs.
World-Class Support:
Receive expert support from the ArborXR team whenever you need it, ensuring your XR deployments run smoothly.
More to Come:
Being an approved third-party MDM for Quest devices grants ArborXR access to powerful new APIs from Meta, enabling exciting new device management features in the future.
Feature Comparison:
💡 See Why You Should Use ArborXR with Horizon Managed Services for an in depth overview of key features that differentiate ArborXR.
What are the costs associated with using ArborXR and the integration with Horizon managed services?
ArborXR and Horizon managed services have separate pricing structures. Here's a breakdown:
ArborXR: ArborXR has its own pricing plans based on your needs. Visit our website or contact our sales team at sales@arborxr.com for detailed pricing information.
Horizon managed services:
New devices: When purchased through an approved Meta reseller, HMS is included for the first two years at no additional cost.
Ongoing costs: If purchased separately from devices, Horizon managed services will require an annual subscription. Meta is finalizing pricing based on market insights and feedback. We’ll update our assets once details are confirmed.
Education-specific pricing: Schools can purchase a device lifetime HMS subscription as part of a bundle, with an MSRP starting at $499 per device. This subscription is tied to the device’s serial number.
Existing devices: Migrating existing Meta devices to HMS requires a factory reset and the purchase of an HMS subscription at $179.99 per device, per year.
Contact Meta's sales team for specific pricing details.
Does Horizon managed services offer a free trial?
Yes. Horizon managed services offers a 30 day trial per device and it is possible to test ArborXR's integration with it during the trial period.
My Quest devices are already enrolled in ArborXR. What now?
Your currently enrolled Quest devices will continue to work with ArborXR, even after the OS v74 update. Registering existing devices with HMS is optional. However, to take full advantage of the latest features and improvements in ArborXR enabled by the integration, devices must be registered with HMS which is a seamless and 'zero touch' process that does not require factory resetting or re-enrolling devices.
💡 Click Register Consumer Meta Quest Devices with Horizon Managed Services to learn more.
Pros of registering with HMS:
Advanced Device Management: ArborXR’s approved MDM integration with HMS unlocks deeper controls (like controller battery reporting, extensive controls for shared mode, and faster bug resolution).
No Meta Accounts: Use devices in Shared Mode without Meta accounts, eliminating issues like re-authentication codes.
Future App Store Access: Integration with Meta’s managed app store is coming soon, letting you remotely install managed app store apps directly from ArborXR. Learn more.
Cons of registering with HMS:
Pricing for ArborXR and Horizon managed services is separate. The published price of a HMS license for an existing device (a consumer device being registered with HMS) is $179.99 per device, per year.
Registering devices with HMS configures them to Shared Mode. When a device is in Shared Mode, you cannot access the Meta Horizon Store. Any apps already installed from the store will be uninstalled during registration.
Do I need a Meta account to enroll devices using the ArborXR integration with Horizon managed services?
No, you no longer need personal Meta accounts to enroll devices.
However, your specific enrollment method determines if you need a managed Meta account:
For Individual Mode (Device Code Enrollment): Yes, you will need a managed Meta account. This method uses a device code over Wi-Fi.
For Shared Mode (Meta Horizon Device Setup App): No, you do not need a managed Meta account. This method enrolls the devices directly into Shared Mode.
What if I factory reset a Quest device that was previously enrolled in ArborXR?
If you factory reset a Quest device that was previously enrolled in ArborXR, you'll need to re-enroll it using the new enrollment method through Horizon managed services.
The new enrollment method is Wi-Fi based and eliminates the need for personal Meta accounts, developer mode, and USB cables. To re-enroll your Quest device, follow the step-by-step instructions in this help article.
💡 Signed up for Horizon managed services and ready to use its integration with ArborXR? Check out the next FAQ, Horizon managed services FAQ 2 (Post-Signup & Usage), for answers to frequently asked questions about the product experience.