Horizon API Upgrade Skill

When to Use

Use this skill when:

Upgrading an existing Quest application to a newer Horizon OS SDK version
Fixing deprecated API warnings or compilation errors after an SDK update
Migrating between major API versions (e.g., VrApi to OpenXR)
Understanding what changed between SDK releases
Planning an upgrade path for a project that has fallen behind on SDK versions

General Upgrade Workflow

Every SDK upgrade, regardless of platform, follows the same high-level process:

1. Identify Current SDK Version

Determine what version the project currently targets:

Unity: Check Packages/manifest.json or the Package Manager UI for com.meta.xr.* package versions
Unreal: Check the Meta XR Plugin version in .uplugin files or the Plugins browser
Spatial SDK / Android: Check build.gradle or build.gradle.kts for com.meta.spatial:* dependency versions
Web / IWSDK: Check package.json for @meta-spatial-sdk/* or @iwsdk/* package versions

2. Check the API Changelog

Before upgrading, review what changed between your current version and the target version. See references/api-changelog.md for a summary of recent changes.

Use the device hub to search documentation:

hzdb docs search "release notes v72"
hzdb docs search "migration guide openxr"

3. Update SDK Dependencies

Update the version numbers in your project configuration:

Unity: Update via Package Manager or edit manifest.json directly
Unreal: Download and install the new plugin version
Gradle projects: Bump version strings in build.gradle
npm projects: Run npm update or edit package.json

4. Fix Deprecated API Calls

After updating, compile the project and address errors and warnings. See references/deprecation-guide.md for common replacements.

# Search project for known deprecated APIs
grep -rn "vrapi_" --include="*.c" --include="*.cpp" --include="*.h" src/
grep -rn "OVRManager" --include="*.cs" Assets/

5. Test on Device

Deploy and verify functionality on a connected Quest device:

hzdb app install ./build/output.apk
hzdb app launch com.yourcompany.yourapp

6. Run Performance Check

Ensure the upgrade did not introduce performance regressions:

hzdb perf capture

Platform-Specific Upgrade Paths

Unity: Meta XR SDK

The Meta XR SDK for Unity is distributed as UPM packages. Upgrades are performed through the Unity Package Manager. Key packages include com.meta.xr.sdk.core, com.meta.xr.sdk.interaction, and com.meta.xr.sdk.platform.

See references/sdk-migration.md for the step-by-step Unity upgrade guide.

Unreal Engine: Meta XR Plugin

The Meta XR Plugin for Unreal is distributed as an engine plugin. Upgrades involve downloading the new plugin version and regenerating project files.

See references/sdk-migration.md for the step-by-step Unreal upgrade guide.

Android / Spatial SDK

The Meta Spatial SDK is distributed as Gradle dependencies. Upgrades involve bumping version numbers in your Gradle build files.

See references/sdk-migration.md for the step-by-step Spatial SDK upgrade guide.

Web / IWSDK

The Immersive Web SDK is distributed as npm packages. Upgrades involve updating package versions in package.json.

See references/sdk-migration.md for the step-by-step IWSDK upgrade guide.

Common Upgrade Issues

Namespace Changes

Meta has progressively moved from Oculus.* and OVR* namespaces to Meta.* namespaces. After an upgrade, you may see compilation errors due to renamed classes or moved packages.

Removed APIs

APIs that were deprecated in previous versions may be fully removed in newer versions. If you skipped intermediate upgrades, you may encounter missing symbols. Always upgrade incrementally.

New Required Permissions

Newer Horizon OS versions may require additional permissions in your AndroidManifest.xml. Common additions include:

com.oculus.permission.HAND_TRACKING for hand tracking features
horizonos.permission.HEADSET_CAMERA for passthrough camera access
New <meta-data> entries for feature declarations

Manifest Changes

Newer SDK versions may require updated <meta-data> entries in AndroidManifest.xml, such as com.oculus.supportedDevices or updated minSdkVersion values.

Android SDK Targeting Requirement

New binary uploads for Meta Horizon apps must set targetSdkVersion within the supported range.

What's required

Set targetSdkVersion to API level 32-34 for immersive apps (or 32-36 for 2D panel apps)
minSdkVersion can remain at API level 32
Applies to all new binary uploads for both new and existing apps
Existing published apps continue to work without changes

How to update

Unity: Use the Project Setup Tool in the Meta XR SDK -- it can update API versions automatically. Or manually set in Player Settings -> Other Settings -> Target API Level.

Unreal: Use the Project Setup Tool in the Meta XR Plugin. Or set in Project Settings -> Android -> Target SDK Version.

Gradle (Spatial SDK / Native):

android {
    defaultConfig {
        targetSdkVersion 34  // 32-34 for immersive, 32-36 for 2D panel apps
        minSdkVersion 32
    }
}

For step-by-step instructions, see the Meta developers blog.

Using hzdb for Documentation Lookup

The hzdb tool provides documentation search to help during upgrades. Install once with npm install -g @meta-quest/hzdb.

# Search for migration-related documentation
hzdb docs search "migration guide"
hzdb docs search "deprecated API"
hzdb docs search "breaking changes v73"

# Search for specific API replacements
hzdb docs search "OVRManager replacement"
hzdb docs search "vrapi openxr migration"

References

Deprecation Guide -- Common deprecated APIs and their replacements
SDK Migration Guide -- Step-by-step platform-specific migration instructions
API Changelog -- Summary of changes across recent SDK versions

hz-api-upgrade