Reference
Hardware guide
Meta Quest hardware overview
Identify your Meta Quest model, understand every button and port, and know what to check before handing a headset to a learner.
Jump to your headset
InvolveXR supports three Meta Quest headset models. Use this guide to identify which headset you have, understand the physical controls, and confirm everything is set up before handing it to a learner.
01Which headset do you have?
The fastest way to tell them apart is the front of the headset.
Meta Quest 3
Three vertical pill-shaped sensor areasBest image quality, mixed reality passthrough.
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Meta Quest 3S
Three round lenses/sensors on each sideSame power as Quest 3 in a more compact form factor.
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Meta Quest 2
Two small camera/sensor areas near the outer sidesLegacy device, fully supported.
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Tip
If in doubt, look for the power button. If it is on the left, it is a Quest 3S. If it is on the right, check the strap and controllers to tell Quest 3 from Quest 2.
02Meta Quest 3
The flagship headset
The best image quality of the three, with full-colour mixed reality passthrough. Power button on the right side.
Headset buttons
Power button
Right sideHold 3 seconds to power on or off. Short press to sleep or wake.
Volume button
Bottom rightLeft button to adjust volume up and down.
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USB-C port
BottomCharging.
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IPD adjustment
Bottom of lensesPhysical dial for interpupillary distance. Adjust for each learner.
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Info
The Quest 3 supports full mixed reality passthrough, so learners can see their real surroundings when the app calls for it. Useful for hybrid scenarios.
03Meta Quest 3S
Compact, same processor
Same processor and operating system as the Quest 3. The differences: a more compact body, no IPD dial (fixed optics), and the power button is on the LEFT side, which is the most common source of confusion.
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Meta Quest 3S hardware
Meta Quest 3S hardware
Headset buttons
Power button
Left sideHold 3 seconds to power on or off. Short press to sleep or wake.
Volume buttons
Bottom rightAdjust volume up and down.
USB-C port
BottomCharging.
⚠️
Warning
No IPD adjustment on the 3S. The lenses are fixed. For most adults this is fine, but learners who wear strong prescription glasses or have an atypical IPD may find visuals slightly blurry. Prescription lens inserts are available if needed.
04Meta Quest 2 (legacy)
Older, still fully supported
Older model, still fully supported by InvolveXR. Lower resolution display and no colour passthrough compared to Quest 3 and 3S, but works well for clinical simulation.
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Meta Quest 2 hardware
Meta Quest 2 hardware
Headset buttons
Power button
Right sideHold 3 seconds to power on or off. Short press to sleep or wake.
Volume buttons
Right sideAdjust volume up and down.
USB-C port
BottomCharging.
3.5mm audio jack
BottomHeadphone audio.
💡
Tip
IPD adjustment. The Quest 2 has a physical IPD slider with 3 positions. Check during setup, since blurry visuals are usually an IPD mismatch, not a hardware fault.
05Touch controllers
The same interactions, across all three
Every Quest headset ships with a left and right Touch controller. Buttons and layout are consistent across generations, so learners can move between headsets without relearning the controls.
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Touch controllers
Touch controllers
Trigger
Index fingerPrimary select. Used to pick up objects and confirm actions.
Grip button
Middle fingerGrab and hold objects in the simulation.
Thumbstick
ThumbMove around the environment and turn.
A / B and X / Y
Right / leftScenario-specific actions. Menu access on some buttons.
Meta / Menu button
Right controllerOpens the Meta system menu. Learners should not press this mid-session unless directed.
06Before handing a headset to a learner
Pre-session checklist
- Headset fully charged (LED solid green means full)
- InvolveXR installed (search "Healthcare" in the Quest App Library)
- Connected to your facility Wi-Fi
- Guardian boundary set up in your session space
- Lenses adjusted for learner's IPD (Quest 3 and Quest 2 only)
- Controller batteries checked
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Best practice
Charge headsets overnight before session days. A Quest at 20% will drain before a 30-minute scenario ends.
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You know your hardware.
Next up: putting the headsets in a room, and getting learners in.
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