Change your background through the Meta Quest app or headset settings
You can change your background in Meta Quest Link in two ways: through the Meta Quest mobile app on your phone, or directly in your headset settings. The mobile app route is faster if you want to browse available backgrounds before choosing. The headset method works if you prefer to adjust settings while wearing the device. Both lead to the same result — a new background appears the next time you put on your headset or launch a linked application.
Meta Quest Link backgrounds are the virtual environments that appear around you when you're in passthrough mode or between applications. They're different from your home environment, which is the main space you see when you first put on your headset. Changing your background doesn't affect your home — it only changes what you see in specific moments.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Meta Quest app on your phone, tap your profile, select Devices, choose your headset, and go to Settings > Passthrough to pick a new background.
- You can also change your background in the headset itself by going to Settings > Display > Passthrough and selecting a background from the available options.
- Meta provides several built-in backgrounds, and some are only available if you have a compatible headset model with color passthrough.
- Your background choice saves automatically and applies the next time you enter passthrough mode or switch between apps.
Using the Meta Quest mobile app to change your background
Open the Meta Quest app on your phone and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select Devices, then tap the name of your headset. Scroll down and tap Settings, then find and tap Passthrough. You'll see a list of available backgrounds with preview images. Tap the background you want to use, and it saves immediately.
This method is useful because you can see what each background looks like before committing to it. The app shows you a small preview of each option, which helps if you're trying to decide between similar-looking environments. Once you select a background, close the app — your headset will apply the change the next time you use passthrough or switch between applications.
Changing your background directly in your headset
Put on your headset and go to Settings in the main menu. Select Display, then tap Passthrough. You'll see the same list of backgrounds available in the mobile app. Tap the one you want, and it applies immediately. This method is faster if you're already wearing your headset and don't want to pull out your phone.
The headset settings menu shows backgrounds in a grid layout, making it easy to scroll through options quickly. If you're in the middle of using your headset and want to change your background without taking it off, this is the most direct route. The change takes effect right away, so you'll see your new background the next time you enter passthrough mode.
What backgrounds are available and which ones require color passthrough
Meta provides several built-in backgrounds, including natural environments like forests and beaches, abstract designs, and solid colors. The exact list varies depending on your headset model and whether it supports color passthrough. Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro both have color passthrough, which unlocks additional background options that look more realistic and detailed. Older models like Meta Quest 2 have black-and-white passthrough and access to a smaller set of backgrounds.
If you have a headset without color passthrough and you see a background in the app that isn't available in your headset settings, that background requires color passthrough to display properly. You can't use it on your device, but you can still choose from the backgrounds that are listed in your Settings > Display > Passthrough menu. Meta occasionally adds new backgrounds through software updates, so check back periodically if you want more variety.
Troubleshooting: background won't change or doesn't appear
If you changed your background but it's not showing up, first make sure your headset software is up to date. Go to Settings > System > About and check for any pending updates. Install any available updates and restart your headset, then try changing your background again. Outdated software sometimes prevents background changes from applying correctly.
If the background still doesn't appear, try changing it again through the headset settings rather than the mobile app. Sometimes the mobile app takes longer to sync the change to your device. You can also try restarting your headset completely — hold the power button until you see the shutdown menu, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. After restart, go back to Settings > Display > Passthrough and select your background again. If none of these steps work, your headset may need a factory reset, though this is rare.
The difference between background and home environment
Your background is what appears in passthrough mode — the view you see when you're looking through your headset's cameras at the real world, or when you're between applications. Your home environment is the main virtual space you see when you first put on your headset or when you press the home button. They're separate settings, and changing one doesn't affect the other.
If you want to change your home environment instead, go to Settings > Environment and choose from the available virtual spaces. Home environments are more elaborate — they're full rooms or outdoor spaces where you can place apps and interact with objects. Backgrounds are simpler and more minimal, designed to stay out of the way while you're using passthrough or switching between tasks. Make sure you're adjusting the right setting depending on what you want to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom photo as my background?
No, Meta Quest Link only supports the built-in backgrounds that come with your headset. You can't upload your own photos or custom images to use as a background. Your only options are the backgrounds listed in Settings > Display > Passthrough on your headset.
Will changing my background affect my apps or games?
No, your background only appears in passthrough mode and between applications. Once you launch an app or game, that app takes over the full display and your background is no longer visible. Changing your background won't change how any of your apps look or function.
Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi to change my background?
No, you don't need an internet connection to change your background through your headset settings. If you're using the mobile app, your phone needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your headset so the app can communicate with it and send the change.
Why are some backgrounds grayed out or unavailable?
Backgrounds that are grayed out require color passthrough, which your headset doesn't have. Meta Quest 2 and older models only support black-and-white passthrough, so color-specific backgrounds aren't available. Upgrade to a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest Pro if you want access to all available backgrounds.