What is In-House Launcher?
Within a group's Headset Experience settings, In-House Launcher allows you to set your own .apk as the launcher instead of ArborXR Home. However, it’s important to understand the limitations and scenarios where ArborXR Home may be a better fit.
Why ArborXR Kiosk Mode Doesn't Support Custom Launchers
ArborXR Kiosk Mode is not compatible with custom launchers because the system blacklists all apps except the designated kiosk app. If you configure Kiosk Mode with a custom launcher as the kiosk app:
The custom launcher will open automatically when the headset powers on.
But users will not be able to access or launch other apps.
Limitations of In-House Launcher on Non-Meta Horizon Managed Services Devices
Non-Meta Horizon managed services devices (including PICO and HTC VIVE)
When devices are configured to In-House Launcher, users lose access to key device settings like Wi-Fi and casting unless your custom launcher app provides dedicated UIs or shortcuts for these settings.
Normally, pressing the home button opens the device’s quick settings menu, giving access to features like Wi-Fi and casting.
When In-House Launcher is configured, pressing the home button instead takes users directly back to the custom launcher app.
Horizon managed services devices
When devices are configured to In-House launcher, pressing the home button will open Meta's pause menu with options to Resume (to return to your launcher) or Quit (which will restart your launcher).
From Meta's pause menu you can click on the Settings button to open a quick settings menu.
On some devices, you might not see the Settings button and instead will need to click on the Wi-Fi and battery icon in the bottom left.
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.
Why We Generally Recommend ArborXR Home
ArborXR Home provides a simple, customizable UI and ensures access to essential device settings.
Key Features of ArborXR Home:
Content Management: Supports apps, videos, and WebXR links with full control over what is shown or hidden.
Device Settings: Includes access to settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and casting.
Customization Options:
Adjust the UI color theme.
Add a custom logo.
Personalize the background with a 3D environment or 360° image.
Learn more about ArborXR Home here.
Steps to Configure In-House Launcher
Navigate to the device group or individual ungrouped device in question.
Select the Kiosk Experience tab.
In the Headset Experience section, select In-House Launcher.
Click Configure.
In the Launcher tab, select the app that represents your launcher. Only one app can be selected since the device can only be configured with one launcher.
In the Apps tab, select the apps users should be able to launch via your launcher. This step is critical as this is what adds your apps to our system's "allow list", thereby enabling them to be launched via your launcher. If you do not select apps during this step then they will be "blacklisted" by the ArborXR client and therefore will not launch.
Click Apply Changes to apply to device(s).
💡 On clicking Apply Changes, the device(s) will be provisioned with the In-House Launcher configuration the next time they come online and connect to ArborXR's servers.