When it comes to virtual reality devices, there are so many types. There are VR headsets you hook up to a gaming PC, standalone VR headsets, and VR headsets that use your smartphone as its display. Sadly, the iPhone isn’t the best in support of virtual reality. Yet, you can still use a VR headset with your iPhone. The question is, how will you go about it?
Essentially, there are two ways to use a VR headset with an iPhone. The first is with a standalone virtual reality headset where you connect it to an iPhone for better control. While the second is more like a DIY virtual reality headset where you download a VR app that turns your iPhone into a VR screen and is inserted into the headset.
Note that a standalone virtual reality headset is more expensive than a DIY one. And it’s important to note that the iPhone may not be compatible with some standalone virtual reality headsets.
Following the steps in this article, you should find it easy to use a VR headset with your iPhone.
How To Set Up A Virtual Reality Headset for Your iPhone
When you want to set up an authentic virtual reality experience, there are three things you need to consider. The first is the display, the second is the hand controller, and the third is a quality headset. Most standalone VR sets come with these three main features, but not all DIY VR sets come with these features.
When shopping for a VR set, ensure that it comes with these three essential features. With these three features in place and a suitable VR app that supports your version of iPhone, then you are on your way to having a standout experience.
Method #1: With a Standalone VR headset
iPhones support the use of standalone VR headsets. A standalone VR headset has everything you need to jump into the virtual reality world immediately. Hence, there is no need for a computer, cords, or anything else – just the VR headset.
A perfect example of a standalone virtual reality headset is the Oculus Quest VR headset. With a headset like this, you shouldn’t have any issue connecting it to your iPhone. If you dig around, you should find several other standalone VR sets with full iPhone support.
Here’s how to use a standalone VR headset like Oculus Quest with iPhone.
- Go to the App Store and download the Oculus mobile app for free.
- Open the app, then create an account if you don’t have one with your Facebook account.
- Once done, turn the Oculus headset on and pair it with the app; your iPhone should pair with the headset automatically; if not, you can do it manually.
- Once pairing is complete, you can use the app on your iPhone to control your virtual experience.
The Oculus app is only compatible with iOS 10 and later. If you installed it on an unsupported app, you would have issues configuring it.
Method #2: With a DIY VR headset
If using a standalone VR seems too expensive, or you don’t want to use it, you can create a DIY VR headset like the Google Cardboard Viewer. Ensure the one you get is the perfect size for your iPhone.
It is also advisable to download the VR app that lets you use your iPhone as a display. An example of this is the Google Cardboard View. And remember, it helps if you have a hand controller to help you easily control things.
Here’s how to use a Google Cardboard headset with iPhone.
- Go to the App Store and download the Google Cardboard Viewer.
- Open the app on your iPhone and pair it with the viewer by scanning the QR code on the viewer.
- Pair the iPhone with a hand controller if you have one to help you easily control the VR.
- Insert your iPhone into the viewer by opening the flaps of the view and fastening your iPhone inside.
- Look through the lens and follow the onscreen instruction to begin setup.
With the Google Cardboard Viewer app, you can change the viewer settings to get a different perspective.
Conclusion
Using a virtual reality headset on your iPhone is pretty simple, as you can see from this guide. However, your experience with it can vary greatly depending on the type of virtual reality headset you use. Some virtual reality headsets may let you interact with the content in the app, while others may not.
So, when getting a VR headset for your iPhone, consider all the essential features that are vital to you.
