How To Play Minecraft VR in 2024 – Explained in Easy Steps

Minecraft is one of the largest sandbox games in history, being played by people of all ages. With all the unique mods and multiplayer modes, it seems almost impossible to get bored of the game. But once you have played it enough, you might find it a bit repetitive. What if we added a twist to it, maybe like changing the entire POV?

While this seemed like a distant dream in the past, it has now become a reality with the Oculus Quest 2 (Meta Quest 2). Not only can you play Minecraft in VR, you also have the capability to install additional mods is now also available, doubling the fun. So stick around to find out how you can join in on this experience. There are a few ways to go about this and we will be mentioning three of those for your convenience.

Minecraft VR via QuestCraft

The first method we’ll be talking about is with using QuestCraft. QuestCraft is an unofficial port for Minecraft Java. This means that is not officially supported and your gameplay can be disrupted due to it being blocked or shutdown. It also requires some third-party apps and the method is a bit longer, but has a larger scope.

  1. First, you need to be an authorized ‘developer’ on the Meta website. Simple, go to Oculus’s website and create an organization. Accept the developer agreement and verify your account using a phone number or credit card.

    Organization Creation Instructions on SideQuest
  2. Download the Oculus Mobile App and turn on Developer Mode. You can find this in the Device Menu on the Oculus app.
  3. Download and install SideQuest on your PC/laptop.

    Organization Creation Instructions on SideQuest
  4. Plug-in your Oculus headset into your PC using a USB cable, and launch SideQuest. The app should automatically detect your headset. (The first time you do this, you will receive a prompt asking for permission).
  5. Download the QuestCraft on the SideQuest app. Once that is done, disconnect the headset from your device and wear it.

    QuestCraft Launcher on SideQuest | Tom’s Hardware
  6. On your Quest 2, go to the apps menu, and select ‘Unknown Sources‘ from the dropdown menu. (This will be the last option in the list).
  7. After selecting ‘Unknown Sources’, you will see the option to load QuestCraft. Load it up and give it permission to run.
  8. Now you’ll be redirected to the Minecraft Login screen. Enter your Microsoft account details to proceed further.
  9. Navigate to the Settings menu and go to Renderer. Select the third option which will be gl4es 1.1.5 (Open GL ES 3). Some users say this is not necessary but it is a required step as stated by the developer team of QuestCraft.

    Renderer Screen for QuestCraft | GitHub
  10. Select fabric-loader from the version menu (last option in the menu).
  11. Finally, you’ll be shown a Warning prompt before the game boots up. You can select Play Anyway and be transported to the Minecraft VR (It takes some time to load, make sure not to disrupt the connection in between).

The last method might seem way too complicated, and maybe even risky, to some. If you don’t want to opt for third-party software methods, you can easily use this method. All you need to do is hook-up your Oculus headset to your PC/laptop using a wire or via internet.

  1. Install the Oculus desktop app.
  2. Go to Devices on the Oculus app and click “Add Headset“.
  3. From the list, select Quest 2.
    List of Headset Devices | Tom’s Hardware
  4. You’ll be shown two pairing methods, Wired and Wireless (Air Link).
    • For wired connections, you need to connect your Oculus headset to a USB 3 or faster port on your PC. Click Continue and you’re all set.
    • For wireless connections, toggle Air Link to on in the Experimental Features menu in Settings. Turn on Air Link on your headset, enter the pairing code, and click Confirm. You should be able to launch Minecraft VR on your headset now.
Wired/Wireless options | Tom’s Hardware

    You should keep in mind that while this is the official and a comparatively easy way to play Minecraft VR, it does not support mods and there is no roomscale.

    Minecraft VR via Vivecraft

    Our final method today is another third-party software known as Vivecraft. This method is only viable for Minecraft Java and requires some connection to your device (wired/wireless). The upside is you can use Forge mods by using this method.

    1. Download and install Vivecraft. There are several versions of Vivecraft available online, you can choose to download the latest version or the one that supports Forge mods. No version supports fabric mods hence they are unavailable in this method. Make sure you don’t install a version that has “NONVR” in the file name.
    2. During the installation process, check the box that says ‘Install Vivecraft with Forge. This will allow you to run Forge mods while playing.

      Vivecraft Installer with Forge | Tom’s Hardware
    3. Make sure your Minecraft launcher is not running. Once your installation is complete, launch Minecraft using Vivecraft.
    4. Now you need to connect your Oculus headset to your PC and link the connection on your Oculus desktop app.
    5. Next, install SteamVR on Steam. You’ll need to install Steam first if you haven’t done so prior.

      SteamVR Installation Page
    6. Open the Minecraft launcher on your PC. Remember to select the Vivecraft version in the version menu. Click Play and enjoy.

    Parting Thoughts

    While Minecraft is an immense game on its own, multiply that by using VR if you can. Experience an entirely different POV than what you’re used to, especially with the easy methods listed above. If one doesn’t work for you, keep trying and you’ll definitely get it!

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Farhan Ali


    Farhan is a passionate writer with an undying love for games, PC hardware, and technology. With nearly 5 years of experience in blogging and over 14 years of experience in gaming, this is what he loves and does best.