New to Meta Horizon device modes? Learn more about Shared Mode, Individual Mode, and how to manage device modes from ManageXR in our Understanding Meta Horizon Device Modes doc.
Overview: Shared Mode Sessions
Meta devices using a restricted kiosk experience like Custom Home or Kiosk App use Meta Shared Mode. To refresh device and app data between users and ensure that all users in-headset have accepted required legal terms, Meta requires Shared Mode devices to use Sessions.
At the start of each new Session, new users must complete new user experience “Session Intro Steps” before getting to the Home Screen or Kiosk App. The Session Intro Steps include a series of optional tutorial steps and required legal screens. When a session is ended, newly created local app and device data are cleared and the device is rebooted. This guide covers how to start, return to, and end sessions on Meta Quest devices using Shared Mode.
Note, this information does not apply to legacy Meta devices or devices from other hardware manufacturers.
Start Session
Before arriving at your Custom Home Screen or Kiosk App, a user needs to start their Shared Mode session. To start a Shared Mode session, the user must complete a series of Session Intro Steps.
You can configure the Shared Mode Session Intro Steps in ManageXR:
Session Intro Step | Description | Default value on ManageXR |
Wake Controllers | Ask the user to confirm controllers are connected | OFF |
Adjust Device Fit | Guide the user through fitting the device properly | OFF |
Enable Hand Tracking | Automatically turn on hand tracking and show a short hand tracking tutorial | OFF |
Set Session Passcode | Require users to set a session passcode to resume a session | OFF |
Set up boundary | Require users to set up a boundary at the end of Session Intro.
When OFF, a stationary boundary is set by default | OFF |
Safety and policies | Review Meta's safety recommendations and accept terms of service | ON - Required by Meta |
Once you've completed the Session Intro Steps, press the Meta button on your controller or use a pinch gesture with hand tracking to go to the ManageXR Home Screen, Kiosk App, or Kiosk Video.
Video Demo
To learn how to edit the Session Intro Steps and Session Passcode settings, go to our doc on managing device modes and related settings.
Return to Inactive Sessions
Inactive sessions pause or automatically end, depending on the device's Meta firmware version and the settings you've selected.
If Session Passcodes are ON:
The session will pause and the user will see an Enter Passcode screen upon putting on the headset after inactivity:
To return to the current session, enter the session passcode
To end the session and start a new one, press the red “End Session” button at the bottom of the screen. Doing so will restart the device, wipe local app data, and kick off a new sequence of Session Intro Steps to begin a new session.
If Session Passcodes are OFF:
Behavior varies by Meta firmware version
v78+: The session will pause after the inactivity timeout and prompt the user to continue or end the session. You can control the length of the inactivity timeout. The default and max length of the timeout supported by Meta is 60 minutes. Learn more
v77 and below: Sessions without passcodes automatically end after 15 minutes of inactivity.
End Session
There are two ways users can end Meta Shared Mode sessions in-headset:
From the Return to Session “Enter Passcode” screen
From within an active session on the Meta quick settings menu
You can bring up this menu by pressing the Meta button on your controller from within the Custom Home Screen or Kiosk App.
When a session ends, the following happen:
The device reboots
Local app and device data that were created during the previous session are wiped. This includes consents (permissions granted to the app e.g., location, camera), settings, app user data (sign in credentials, tokens), and media storage.
A new session is started, requiring the user to complete the Session Intro Steps.
FAQs
Can I turn off session passcodes?
Can I turn off session passcodes?
Yes. You can turn off session passcodes on devices using Meta firmware v77+. On firmware v77, sessions without passcodes will automatically end after 15 minutes of inactivity. On v78+ sessions without passcodes will not automatically end after inactivity; instead, they will prompt the user to continue/end session after the session inactivity timeout.
Can I set multiple session passcodes at once to maintain several user sessions?
Can I set multiple session passcodes at once to maintain several user sessions?
No. Only one session is active on a device at a time. For example, say User A sets a passcode (1234), uses the device, then puts it down. If User B picks up the device, leaves the session, and sets a new passcode (1111), User A will not be able to enter 1234 to retrieve their previous session. The only valid passcode at that time to resume a session would be 1111.
Can I complete the Session Intro Steps without controllers?
Can I complete the Session Intro Steps without controllers?
Yes. To complete the Session Intro Steps without controllers you must Enable Hand Tracking. You can find the setting to Enable Hand Tracking on your configuration under Device Experience > Custom Home/Kiosk > Meta Only > Session Intro Steps.
Minimum firmware version: v77
Can I turn off all of the Session Intro Steps?
Can I turn off all of the Session Intro Steps?
No. You can turn off some of them on your configuration, but there are several required Session Intro steps that cannot be disabled:
Review Meta Quest Safety warnings and select Continue.
Set session passcode
Review Terms and privacy policies and select Continue
Choose whether to enable hand and body tracking
Press the Meta button on your controller or use a pinch gesture with hand tracking to go to the ManageXR Home Screen, Kiosk App, or Kiosk Video