LUMENOIRHow to watch movies on Meta Quest
You can watch movies on Meta Quest 2, 3 and 3S (formerly Oculus Quest) in three ways: stream them from an app such as Prime Video or Disney+, put your own files on the headset or a USB-C drive, or play them from a server at home (Plex, Jellyfin, a NAS or a PC). For your own files, install a VR video player: it puts the film on a big screen and keeps your audio tracks, subtitles and 3D.
Every route, side by side
Pick the route that matches where your films already are. Copying is the most reliable, streaming from home saves headset storage, and streaming apps only show their own catalog.
| Route | What you need | Good for | Watch out for | In Lumenoir |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming apps | A subscription and Wi-Fi | New releases, series | Their catalog only, not your files | Not offered |
| Files on the headset | A USB-C data cable and a computer | Trips, offline viewing | Uses headset storage | Free |
| USB-C drive | A drive formatted exFAT | Large libraries, no copying | One USB-C port, shared with charging | Free |
| Plex | A Plex Media Server at home | Organized libraries, resume | No official Plex app on Meta Quest | Free |
| Jellyfin | A Jellyfin server at home | Open-source libraries | Server on the same network | Free |
| NAS or PC share | SMB, DLNA, WebDAV, FTP or SFTP | Folders of films, no server app | Fast Wi-Fi for 4K | Premium |
| Web browser | Meta Quest Browser | Web video, Plex web app | Flat window, no 3D | Not applicable |
Streaming apps
If you only want the catalog of a service you already pay for, use its app. Meta's TV app showcases films and shows from services such as Peacock and Prime Video, and Disney+ has its own app on Meta Quest (a Disney+ subscription is required). The Prime Video listing on the Meta Horizon Store says you can download videos to watch offline.
These apps play their own content only. They cannot open the MKV on your drive or the films on your NAS, and Lumenoir does not play streaming services either.
Files on the headset
The simplest offline setup: copy the movie into the headset's storage, then open it in a player. Connect the Meta Quest to a Windows PC, a Mac or a Chromebook with a USB-C cable that carries data, put on the headset and select Allow. On Windows the headset appears as a drive. Drag your films into the Movies folder (or Download). The full procedure, with the Mac steps, is in the USB and file transfer guide.
In Lumenoir, choose Headset files and allow access to your videos. Everything stored on the headset shows up in one list, with posters, resume points and every audio and subtitle track. It is free.
A USB-C drive
A flash drive or a portable SSD lets you carry a whole library without filling the headset. Meta's Files app lists USB drives as soon as they are connected. Format the drive as exFAT: FAT32 cannot hold a file larger than 4 GB, and most 4K films are bigger than that.
In Lumenoir, open Headset folder or USB drive and select the drive once. It comes back by itself each time you plug it in. Details, formats and power tips: USB drives on Meta Quest.
Plex and Jellyfin
If your films live on a Plex or Jellyfin server, you do not need to copy anything. There is no official Plex app for Meta Quest, but a VR player can sign in to your server. In Lumenoir, choose Plex, then enter the code shown in the headset at plex.tv/link on your phone or computer. Your libraries, collections, playlists and Continue watching appear, in original quality when your Wi-Fi allows it. Every option, including the browser and sideloading, is in Plex on Meta Quest.
Jellyfin works the same way: Lumenoir looks for Jellyfin servers on your network, and you sign in with Jellyfin's Quick Connect code or a password. Both sources are free.
A NAS or a PC on your network
Films in shared folders on a Synology, QNAP or UGREEN NAS, a Freebox or FRITZ!Box, or a Windows or Mac computer can stream straight to the headset. Meta's Files app does not list network shares among its sources, so a player has to do it. Lumenoir reads SMB shares through Network drive (NAS), media servers through DLNA / UPnP, and file servers through WebDAV, FTP, SFTP.
Network sources are part of Lumenoir Premium. Setup for each brand: NAS and PC videos on Meta Quest.
3D, VR180 and 360°
A Meta Quest is a very good 3D screen: each eye gets its own picture, so side-by-side (SBS) and over-under (OU) films show real depth without glasses. Lumenoir reads the 3D layout from the file's metadata or name, and also plays iPhone spatial videos in 3D. VR180 and 360° videos wrap around you instead of sitting on a screen.
In Lumenoir, 3D, VR180 and 360° are free for 20 minutes a day, then part of Premium. How to set up each format, and why 3D Blu-ray discs play in 2D: 3D movies on Meta Quest.
What Lumenoir does not do
Knowing the limits saves you an evening. Lumenoir is a player for your own videos. It does not offer:
- Streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney+ or Netflix: use their apps.
- Watching together with friends in a shared room.
- Streaming your PC desktop or PC games to the headset.
- 3D from 3D Blu-ray discs (MVC): they play in 2D. Disc menus are not supported either.
Everything else on this page works in the free version, except network shares and disc images, which need Premium. A one-time purchase, see Free and Premium.
Questions
How do I watch movies on a Meta Quest 3?
For streaming services, install their app (Prime Video, Disney+). For your own files, copy them to the headset over a USB-C cable, plug in a USB-C drive, or stream them from Plex, Jellyfin or a NAS, then open them in a VR video player such as Lumenoir.
How do I watch downloaded movies on a Meta Quest 3?
Connect the headset to your computer with a data USB-C cable, select Allow in the headset and copy the files into the Movies folder. Then open them in a video player. In Lumenoir they appear under Headset files.
Can you watch movies on an Oculus Quest 2?
Yes. The Meta Quest 2 plays the same apps and files as the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. Lumenoir is tuned first for the Meta Quest 2, the least powerful of the three, and is developed and tested on one.
Can I watch movies on a Meta Quest without Wi-Fi?
Yes, once the files are on the headset or on a USB-C drive. Lumenoir needs no internet connection for those. Plex, Jellyfin and NAS sources need your home network.
Do I need a PC to watch my movies on a Meta Quest?
No. A computer helps to copy files over the cable or to share a folder, but a USB-C drive or a Plex, Jellyfin or NAS server works without one. The headset runs the player on its own.
Which app should I use for my own movies?
Several players exist on the Meta Horizon Store, including Skybox VR, 4XVR, Moon VR Player, DeoVR and Bigscreen. Pick one that reads your sources and formats without conversion. Lumenoir plays headset files, USB drives, Plex and Jellyfin for free, in original quality, in a modeled cinema.
Is Lumenoir available now?
Not yet. Lumenoir is coming soon to the Meta Horizon Store. You can already try its theater in your browser on the home page.