Understanding Shared Mode and Individual Mode
On devices enrolled through Horizon managed services, Individual Mode and Shared Mode are two distinct ways to manage and use Meta Quest devices.
Individual Mode:
Intended for a Meta Quest device that’s used by one person in your organization.
Each user has their own managed Meta account and profile, allowing them to personalize their experience and access the on-device "consumer" Meta Horizon Store to download apps.
In ArborXR, the Device Home Environment Headset Experience setting configures the device to Individual Mode.
Shared Mode:
Intended for when a device is to be used by multiple people without the need for individual accounts or logins.
When devices are configured to Shared Mode, the managed Meta account on the device is removed and the on-device "consumer" Meta Horizon Store cannot be accessed. However, apps from Meta's "managed" app store can be remotely installed via ArborXR.
In ArborXR, the ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, and In-House Launcher Headset Experience settings configures the device to Shared Mode. This is because the Meta API that enables ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, and In-House Launcher is only exposed through Shared Mode.
💡 When you first enroll your devices into ArborXR through Horizon managed services, they will be set to Device Home Environment by default and therefore configured to Individual Mode. Once devices are set to either ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher, the devices will be configured to Shared Mode, thereby removing the managed Meta account and the on-device "consumer" Meta Horizon Store.
Shared Mode and the Horizon App Store
ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, and In-House Launcher use Meta Quest's Shared Mode. This mode is designed for multiple users sharing a device without needing separate accounts.
When devices are configured to Shared Mode, the on-device "consumer" Meta Horizon Store cannot be accessed. However, ArborXR integrates with Meta’s "managed" app store, known as Discover Apps within Horizon managed services (HMS). This integration allows you to remotely install and manage Meta Horizon Store apps directly through the ArborXR portal.
Key details about this integration:
Remote Installation: You can browse the Discover Apps library—a catalog of 500+ apps tailored for classrooms, training, and enterprise use—and deploy them to your devices via ArborXR.
Expanding Catalog: The list of available apps is growing as developers opt-in to make their software available for enterprise deployments.
Shared Mode & Kiosk Mode Compatibility: Previously, Meta Store apps were inaccessible in Shared Mode. Now, a subset of apps in the Discover Apps catalog are compatible with Shared Mode.
No Accounts Required: For compatible apps, this means you can install and launch them within ArborXR Home or ArborXR Kiosk Mode without needing to sign into managed Meta accounts on each individual device.
Follow our guide on How to Install Meta Horizon Store Apps via ArborXR to get started.
💡 While the "consumer" on-device Meta Horizon Store remains inaccessible in Shared Mode, the "managed" Meta app store integration bridges this gap for professional and educational content.
Configure Shared Mode Settings
ArborXR offers controls to manage Shared Mode settings on devices updated to Horizon OS v78 and higher. These settings for Shared Mode can be adjusted within the ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, and In-House launcher Kiosk Experience configurations.
Term | Definition | Default Configuration in ArborXR |
Require Login with Managed Meta Account (i.e. Identity) | In Shared Mode, "identity" refers to the requirement for users to log in with a managed Meta account. If you choose to require an account, anyone using the device will have to log in with a managed Meta account. | Disabled, meaning logging in with a managed Meta account is not required |
Required Password Complexity (i.e. Session Passcodes) | Determines the security requirements for users to resume an active session. When enabled, users must create and enter a passcode (Low, Medium, or High complexity) to gain access after the device has been idle or restarted. | By default, no passcode is required. For devices running v85 or later, this allows sessions to persist indefinitely, meaning users can resume their work after a break or a reboot without being asked to continue or end their session. |
Offline Mode | Users can start sessions without an internet connection. | Enabled |
Controller Free | Enable hand tracking on the device. Users will be guided through Meta's hand tracking tutorial at the start of each new session. | Disabled |
Stationary Boundary by Default | The guardian will default to a stationary boundary that persists across sessions. | Enabled |
Wake Controllers | Ask the user to confirm that controllers are connected. | Disabled |
Adjust Device Fit | Guide the user through fitting the device properly. | Disabled |
App Data Persistence | Persist app data between Shared Mode sessions. | Enabled on all apps installed via ArborXR by default |
However, the following session introduction steps cannot be turned off:
Term | Definition |
Acknowledge Safety | The user acknowledges health and safety warnings. |
Agree to Terms of Service | The user agrees to the Terms of Service. |
Home Button Behavior in Shared Mode
When devices are configured to ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher (i.e. Meta's Shared Mode), pressing the home button will open Meta's pause menu with options to Resume (to return to ArborXR Home or to the kiosk app) or Quit (which will restart ArborXR Home or the kiosk app).
From Meta's pause menu, click on the Wi-Fi and battery icon in the bottom left to open Meta's Quick Settings menu.
This menu provides access to useful settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Casting, and USB Debugging. Meta's Quick Settings menu is locked down and does not let users escape to the Meta Home environment.
Exiting ArborXR Home or ArborXR Kiosk Mode in Shared Mode
On Horizon managed services devices, it is not possible to temporarily access the native home environment when devices are configured to ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher (i.e. Meta's Shared Mode).
Instead, exiting ArborXR Home or ArborXR Kiosk Mode gives access to additional system settings.
Switching from Individual Mode to Shared Mode or Vice Versa
Individual Mode to Shared Mode (seamless ✅)
The Device Home Environment Headset Experience setting in ArborXR is Individual Mode.
You can seamlessly switch from Device Home Environment (i.e. Individual Mode) to ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher (i.e. Shared Mode).
Shared Mode to Individual Mode (factory reset required ❌)
The ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, and In-House Launcher Headset Experience settings in ArborXR configures devices to Shared Mode.
While you can configure devices from ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher back to Device Home Environment in the ArborXR portal, in order for these changes to take effect on devices, you will need to factory reset and re-enroll them. This is because certain system components, such as the managed Meta account and the on-device "consumer" Meta Horizon Store, are removed from the device after configuring ArborXR Home, ArborXR Kiosk Mode, or In-House Launcher, which puts devices into Shared Mode. A factory reset and re-enrollment is required to set devices back to Individual Mode, which brings back the managed Meta account and Meta Horizon Store system components.