When is Meta shutting down Horizon Workrooms?

Meta is discontinuing Horizon Workrooms as a standalone app on February 16, 2026.

What is Meta's new metaverse strategy?

Meta is shifting its metaverse focus from VR headsets to mobile phones and AI creator tools.

Will Meta continue selling VR headsets?

Meta will stop selling commercial SKUs of Meta Quest headsets and managed services by February 20, 2026.

Home / Business and Economy / Meta's Metaverse Pivot: VR Workrooms Shut Down, Mobile Focus

Meta's Metaverse Pivot: VR Workrooms Shut Down, Mobile Focus

16 Jan

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Summary

Meta is discontinuing Horizon Workrooms as a standalone app on February 16, 2026.
The company is ceasing sales of Meta Horizon managed services and commercial headsets.
Meta is shifting its metaverse focus from VR headsets to mobile phones.

Meta's Metaverse Pivot: VR Workrooms Shut Down, Mobile Focus

Meta is shutting down its virtual reality collaboration platform, Horizon Workrooms, on February 16, 2026, marking a significant departure from its initial vision for a VR-centric metaverse. The company will also stop selling its Meta Horizon managed services and commercial Meta Quest headsets effective February 20, 2026.

This decision follows substantial layoffs within Meta's Reality Labs division, underscoring a strategic re-evaluation of its metaverse investments. The focus is now shifting towards mobile platforms, with plans to "double down on bringing the best Horizon experiences and AI creator tools to mobile," as indicated by internal memos.

While the term "metaverse" was originally coined to describe fully immersive virtual worlds, Meta's current direction suggests a broader interpretation, akin to expansive mobile gaming platforms. This pivot may disappoint VR enthusiasts but aligns with a potential broader market appeal for mobile-based virtual experiences.