This tool lets you take Facebook off your Oculus Quest 2

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If you don’t like that your Oculus Quest 2 VR headset needs to be logged into Facebook to work, you’ll love this new tool.

Called ‘Oculess‘, the tool enables users to remove the Facebook requirement so they can keep using their headsets, sans Facebook.

Previously, you had to spend an extra $500 to get an enterprise version of the headset to get around the Facebook requirement.

READ MORE: Meta Quest 2 users can now ditch their Facebook accounts to log in

Basically, it works by logging you out of Facebook on the headset, while keeping it (mostly) usable. That also has the additional benefit of letting you use the headset when Facebook is down, like it was earlier this week.

To use the tool, you have to sideload it onto your Oculus Quest 2. That means making a developer account first, verifying your identity with a credit or debit card, and then connecting the headset to your Android phone or PC, to send the Oculess tool onto the storage inside the headset.

READ MORE: How to switch from a Facebook to Meta account on Quest

The tool then unlinks the Facebook account on the headset, so it can work even if Facebook’s servers go down again.

You can also disable telemetry, which is data sent back to Facebook, and pause firmware updates so Facebook can’t push out a firmware that stops the tool from working.

READ MORE: A Quest 2 Pro VR headset might be coming later this year

Be warned that this does break the Oculus Store, and any default Oculus apps like the Browser, because all of those require Facebook on the headset to work.

You’ll be able to use any sideloaded apps though, and a factory reset removes the tool so you can set the Oculus Quest 2 back up to use the official apps.

READ MORE: Meta Quest 2 now has better hand tracking for high fives and clapping

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• 5 of the scariest takeaways from the Facebook whistleblower interview with 60 Minutes
• Valve is reportedly working on a wireless VR headset because everything is better without wires
• You can soon shit your pants in VR with Resident Evil 4 for the Oculus Quest 2
• Apple’s AR/VR headset will probably require users to have an iPhone or Mac

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.