Oculus Quest 2 has been a revelation for Virtual Reality. Launching with higher specs, wireless gameplay, and a lower price point than its predecessor, Facebook's been making a huge push into this space. Having implemented 120 Hz support, Facebook's given both Quest headsets a new feature called Oculus Air Link.
Letting players play PC VR games wirelessly at no extra cost, it's an incredibly useful feature, but you'll need the right setup to make the most of it. If you've got an Oculus Quest, here's everything you need to know.
Oculus Air Link - What You'll Need
Firstly, these games are still running off PC hardware, so you'll still need a VR-ready PC for Oculus Air Link. You can check Oculus Link's specification requirements here, and providing all's fine, you'd also need to download the Oculus PC app.
On the Quest 2 side, make sure it's updated to firmware v28 or beyond, as this is when Air Link was introduced. For original Quest users, you'll need v30. To check what software version your Quest is running, look on the Settings menu when using your Quest, and browsing the "About" section.
Finally, you'll need a good Wi-Fi router with a stable network connection, and Oculus recommends using a 5Ghz network running on an AC or AX router. In terms of your PC, for the best performance, have it directly connected to the router via ethernet cable if possible. Facebook also advises not using range extenders and being in the same room as your router.
Oculus Air Link - How To Set It Up
On the PC, launch the Oculus PC app and select "Settings", then go onto the Beta tab. At the bottom, you'll see a switch for Air Link, so click it to enable it. This will automatically turn off after 24 hours, so you'll need to activate it again on your next session.
Then, load up your Quest. As this is an experimental feature currently, you'll need to go onto the Quest "Settings" menu, then turn on experimental features. A tab will appear to turn on Air Link, so click that. You'll receive a warning about the required equipment, which mirrors what we've said above.
Click continue, and Air Link will appear in the Quick Actions menu within Settings. Providing your Quest is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC, it'll ask you to pair them up on the first time using this. Once you've selected your PC, you'll be good to go!
Oculus Air Link - What Headsets Can Use It?
Originally, only the Oculus Quest 2 supported Air Link, but thanks to the v30 firmware update, support for original Quest headsets is now included. As for the Oculus Rift/Rift S headsets, both were designed as wired PC VR headsets anyway, so Air Link isn't applicable.
Oculus Air Link - Are There Alternatives?
Before Facebook revealed Air Link, many players used Virtual Desktop instead, available on both Quest headsets. It costs £15 but has seen strong reviews across the VR community. Otherwise, you can also use a Type-C cable for a wired connection, through Oculus Link.
Naturally, that negates the wireless nature of Quest, but also offers the strongest connection. For the wired Oculus Link, you'll want a 5 metre cable at least, and while you can use any Type-C cable, make sure to invest in a good quality one. Facebook sell them directly, but those retail at £89, so it's worth shopping around.
Oculus Air Link - Can It Run At 120 Hz?
It can. Though unannounced within the latest v29 update, Facebook's new update lets you play PC games at 120 Hz through Oculus Air Link. Once your Quest 2 is connected to your PC, head towards the PC Oculus app, click Devices and select your headset.
Choose Graphics Preferences and in the right menu, you'll find the option to use 120 Hz. Though Quest 2 implemented 120 Hz support in the v28 update, that wasn't extended to Air Link until now. For more details about this higher refresh rate, you can check out our guide here.
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