XR

New to XR development? Start here.

XR is an umbrella term that includes the following types of applications:

• Virtual RealityA system that immerses users in an artificial 3D world of realistic images and sounds, using a headset and motion tracking. More info
  See in Glossary (VR): The application simulates a completely different environment around the user.
• Mixed Reality (MR): The application combines its own environment with the user’s real-world environment and allows them to interact with each other.
• Augmented Reality (AR): The application layers content over a digital view of the real world.

Supported platforms

Unity works closely with strategic partners to make sure that creators have all the support they need when developing content for Unity’s supported platforms. This involves deep platform integration, Unity engine improvements, and XR tech stack optimizations for each platform.

Unity supports these platforms for XR:

• ARKit
• ARCore
• Microsoft HoloLens
• Windows Mixed Reality
• Magic Leap
• Oculus
• OpenXR
• PlayStation VR

Unity does not support XR on WebGLA JavaScript API that renders 2D and 3D graphics in a web browser. The Unity WebGL build option allows Unity to publish content as JavaScript programs which use HTML5 technologies and the WebGL rendering API to run Unity content in a web browser. More info
See in Glossary.

Unity XR plug-in framework

Unity has developed a new plug-inA set of code created outside of Unity that creates functionality in Unity. There are two kinds of plug-ins you can use in Unity: Managed plug-ins (managed .NET assemblies created with tools like Visual Studio) and Native plug-ins (platform-specific native code libraries). More info
See in Glossary framework called XR SDK that enables XR providers to integrate with the Unity engine and make full use of its features. This plug-in based approach improves Unity’s ability to make quick bug fixes, distribute SDK updates from platform partners, and to support new XR devices and runtimes without having to modify the core engine. To learn more about:

• How to upgrade to the new framework, see the Configuring your Unity Project for XR page.
• How the new framework functions, see the XR plug-in framework page.

AR development in Unity

The AR overview page details how to get started with creating an ARAugmented Reality (AR) uses computer graphics or video composited on top of a live video feed to augment the view and create interaction with real and virtual objects.
See in Glossary application, lists the packages you need to download, and offers related links to additional documentation. Unity recommends downloading the AR Template from the Unity Hub to create your application for Unity’s supported handheld and wearable AR devices.

VR development in Unity

The VR overview page details how to get started creating a VR application, lists the packages you need to download, and offers related links to additional documentation. To start, Unity recommends downloading the VR Template from the Unity Hub to create your application for Unity’s supported VR devices.

API usage examples

Thie AR Foundation Samples GitHub repository contains examples of how to use Unity’s AR Foundation APIs.

Additional Unity resources

• AR/VR Tutorials on Unity Learn
• Unity AR/VR Forums
• XR Platform System Requirements
• Glossary of XR-specific terms
• Rendering for AR/VR