Turn your Meta Quest into a massive display for any HDMI device – here’s how

Ever wish you had a massive screen for your gaming session or work project? If you have a Meta Quest headset, you’re in luck — you can now connect it to nearly any device.

Meta’s new app for the Quest headset, HDMI Link, turns your headset into a giant screen for any HDMI output-compatible device, including media players, game consoles like the Nintendo Switch or PS5, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. 

Also: Meta Quest 3 is getting AI before Apple’s Vision Pro does – here’s how to enable it

The good news for older headset users is that this app works on the Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and Pro.

With HDMI Link, Meta says, you can enjoy a huge variety of 2D content in a 3D space in 1080p with almost no latency. However, it might not work for movies or shows. The company warns that certain apps, especially streaming apps, utilize built-in copy protection software that may interfere with HDMI Link. 

In 2021, Meta released a somewhat similar feature called Air Link, which allows you to connect your Meta Quest wirelessly to your PC to play PC VR games on your Quest. That feature only works on PCs, though, and requires reliable Wi-Fi. This new feature works wirelessly but is open to all HDMI devices, not just computers.

There is one small caveat. HDMI Link needs a little extra hardware — a UVC- and UAC-compatible capture card and cables. Meta says this is “basically plug-and-play” but adds that it’s not quite as easy as Air Link. A quick search online shows several decent options for compatible cards under $30, so it’s a relatively affordable investment.

Also: This $50 Meta Quest 3 accessory is a game-changer for people with glasses

Here’s how to set up HDMI Link on your Quest headset.

• Install the Meta Quest HDMI Link app.
• Connect your source device to your capture card with an HDMI cable, USB-C-to-HDMI cable, or Lightning-to-HDMI cable.
• It’s optional but recommended to run USB-C power to your capture card. If available, this keeps your headset charged during use.
• Connect your headset to the capture card using a USB-A female to USB-C male cable.
• Turn on the headset and grant the Camera and Record Audio permissions.