Until now, the only way to play PC VR games wirelessly on the Oculus Quest 2 was via a third-party app called Virtual Desktop. It’s a brilliant solution that does the job and if you want to know more about it, check out my article here.
However, Oculus has now got in on the act. Air Link is a feature that offers the same wireless experience as Virtual Desktop, but comes built-in and requires no additional apps. It’s still in early development, but from what I’ve seen, it works exceptionally well.
If you fancy giving it a go, read on.
Is there anything I should know before I start?
As this is currently an experimental feature, it may not work well for everyone. If you want to get the best experience, Oculus recommends the following:
- Connect your Quest 2 headset to the router on a 5Ghz band.
- Connect your PC to your router via an ethernet cable.
- Your PC, router and Quest 2 should ideally be in the same room or in line of sight. As with wireless in general, the closer everything is to the router, the better the connection and the smoother the streaming will be. Oculus also recommend that your router is at least 1 metre off the ground.
- Don’t use a mesh network configuration. It is best to connect directly to your main router.
Anything else?
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re running up-to-date software on both the Quest 2 and your PC. To set up Oculus Air Link, you’ll need to be running version 28 or later on both devices. Here’s how to check:
Checking Your Quest 2
Put on your Quest 2 headset and select Settings (the gear icon to the far right of the main bar).
On the Settings page, scroll down and select About from the left-hand menu. In the about section, look for the number under Version. To make sure you can enable Air Link, the first two digits of this rather long number need to be 28 or higher.
The update should have hit all headsets by now. If you aren’t already on v28 or later, it may offer the option to update via a button to the right of Software Update. If not, you could try restarting the headset or simply waiting. Unfortunately, there is no option to force the update.
Checking your PC App
First, launch the Oculus PC App on your computer and, on the left-hand menu, select Settings.
In the Settings menu, select the General tab at the top of the page.
Scroll down the General section, and at the bottom of the page, you’ll see the version number. As with the headset, make sure the first two digits are 28 or higher.
If you aren’t on v28, the update should become available soon and update automatically. You could also check in the Library section of the app. Under the Updates tab, see if there’s an Oculus Software Update pending. If so, let it update and restart the program.
I’m on v28. What now?
If both your apps are on v28, it’s time to set up Oculus Air link. Here’s what to do:
How to set up Oculus Air Link on your Quest 2
Put on your Quest 2 headset and select Settings (the gear icon to the far right of the main bar).
On the Settings page, scroll down and select Experimental Features from the left-hand menu. The Air Link option should now be available in the right window. To enable Air Link, toggle the switch to blue.
How to set up Oculus Air Link on your PC
To get started, launch the Oculus app on your PC. From the left-hand menu, select Settings.
Select the Beta tab from the top of the page. The Air Link Option should now be listed, and you can enable it by toggling the switch to blue.
All enabled, what’s next?
Now it’s time to enjoy your PC VR games wirelessly. Firstly, open the Oculus App on your PC and check you’ve got Air Link enabled, as the program will turn it off after 24hrs.
Next, put on your Quest 2 headset and select Settings (the gear icon to the far right of the main bar).
From the left-hand menu, select Quick Actions – if it’s not already selected.
On the Quick Action section, select the Oculus Air Link button.
The app may now show you some Air Link Requirements. If so, read and click Continue. Next, you’ll see your computer listed under Available Computers. As this is the first time you’ve used Air Link, you’ll need to select your PC and then click Pair. Once the two devices are paired, click Launch.
Keep in mind, pairing is only required once. When you use Air Link again, you can just select your PC and click Launch.
You’ll now be able to view the Oculus PC app dashboard. Select your games from your library and enjoy the freedom of wireless.
How do I quit the PC app and get back to the Quest 2 dashboard?
If you’ve finished your PC VR gaming you’ll probably want to return to the Quest 2 dashboard – here’s how.
Open the Oculus PC app menu with the menu button on your right controller – if it isn’t already showing.
To the far left of the bar, you’ll find the Oculus Air link icon. Select it to open the Air Link section and click the Quit button to return to the Quest 2 dashboard.
There’s also an option in this section to adjust the bitrate. Unless you’ve some reason to adjust it, I’d suggest leaving it on Dynamic.
Conclusion
Oculus now offers you PC VR wireless gaming via its Air Link option. If you have the recommended setup and up-to-date software, give it a go!
READ NEXT: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: Can my PC run it?
Add Comment