Meta has announced a significant change in the Quest 3's user interface with the release of update v85. The update removes the Horizon Feed, the previous default landing screen, and replaces it with the Navigator interface. This shift aims to streamline the user experience by providing a more direct path to games and content.
The Horizon Feed, which highlighted popular Horizon Worlds, apps, and user activities, often required users to close it upon startup to access desired content. Meta acknowledged that the Horizon Feed "historically has not driven strong entitlement conversion," indicating that users seldom engaged with the content it presented. (truenorthvr.com)
The Navigator interface, introduced in previous updates, offers a floating UI that emphasizes mixed reality with simplified icons and a bar for easy navigation between the library, home, social contacts, and the app store. This design is intended to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience. (truenorthvr.com)
Some users have expressed hope that this change signals a broader shift away from the Horizon ecosystem, suggesting that the Quest 3 could benefit from a more focused approach without the Horizon integration. (truenorthvr.com)
This update reflects Meta's ongoing efforts to refine the Quest 3's interface based on user feedback, aiming to enhance the overall virtual reality experience.
Meta Quest 3 Update v85: Horizon Feed Sunset and Navigator Introduction:
- RIP New User Interface - Meta Quest v85 Update — What’s New (or Gone) in Horizon OS v85 (January 2026) - True North VR, Published on Wednesday, January 07