Launching headset experiences

You can Preview and Publish your headset experiences in the usual manner as shown in our Previewing and Publishing documentation; however, as the user experience for launching and viewing headset experiences differs when compared with traditional mobile AR experiences, we've put together this guide to ease the user flow.

Scanning the QR code with a handheld device will launch the experience as a regular mobile WebAR experience.

Launching your experience

As launching headset experiences often requires the user to enter a long URL (which could be tedious), or scan a QR code (possible with Zapbox but not widely supported otherwise), we recommend using a third-party tool called hmd.link.

This website allows you to easily post the URL on the desktop version of the site and automatically have the ability to launch it on a user's headset version of the site; providing the desktop and headset devices are on the same network.

Using hmd.link to launch your headset experiences
  1. Create a Deep Link Trigger for your published project (or scan a preview QR code to find the preview URL)
  2. Go to hmd.link on your desktop device
  3. Click on Add Link and enter the project's Deep Link or preview URL on your desktop device
  4. Go to hmd.link on your headset device and ensure that both devices have the same room name at the bottom
  5. If so, your headset will show the same URL for you to interact with and launch the headset experience

When using the Preview button in the Zapworks Designer editor, Meta Quest users can also take advantage of the Preview on Meta Quest option to use Meta's launch method.

Sharing your experience

There are several ways to share your experience with your users:

  1. Using hmd.link: By far the easiest method, using the steps described above. Please confirm that both the user's desktop and headset device show the same room name to ensure that the URL is discoverable to your headset.

  2. Typing in the URL directly in the headset browser: You can also use a URL shortener like a Zapworks Deep Link Trigger or a third party solution such as bit.ly to make it easier to type.

  3. (Meta Quest) Using the Meta Quest app on your phone: Simply scan the QR code for the experience. Once the page opens, use your phone's share feature to share it with the Meta Quest app. The app will then ask you to either save the link or launch it on your device.

  4. Using a messaging app on your headset: Download a messaging app such as WhatsApp app on your headset and use your phone or desktop device to send the URL to yourself. You can then open the link within your headset by interacting with it as normal.

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