How to Use Chrome VR – Everything You Need to Know with FAQs, Tips, & More

Do you want to know how to use Chrome VR?

Let’s find out.

How to Use Chrome VR?

1. Make sure that your Chrome browser has reached at least version 66.
2. Restart your browser once the update has finished installing.
3. Type chrome://flags into the address field.
4. Type “VR” into the search box at the top right corner of the browser window, then click on the magnifying glass icon next to the word “Search.” This will make Chrome display only the flags related to VR.
5. Make sure that you enable the flag regarding WebVR and the runtimes that you normally use for virtual reality.
6. Click the RELAUNCH NOW button
7. Have fun using your brand-new WebVR browser!

Quickstart for Google VR SDK for Unity with Android

This tutorial teaches you how to set up Unity 3D development with Google VR SDKs and create an Android app using them.

Set Up Your Development Environment

Hardware requirements:

• Daydream: You’ll need a Daydream-ready phone and a Daydream View.
• Cardboard: You’ll require an Android device running Android KitKat (API level 19) and a Cardboard viewer to use this app.

Software requirements:

• Install Unity:
  • Recommended version: LTS release 2018.4 or newer
  • Minimum version for 6DoF head tracking: 2017.3
  • Minimum version for smartphone: 5.6
  Make sure that the Android Build Support component is selected during installation.
• Configure your environment so that it’s ready for Android app dev. Follow Unity’s guide for setting up Android Studio.

Download the Google VR SDK for Unity

• Get the latest version of Google VR for Unity from the releases page.

Import the Google VR Unity Package

1. Create a new 3D project in Unity.
2. Select Assets > Import Package > Custom Package.
3. Open the GoogleVRForUnity package file that you downloaded.
4. Click Import in the Importing Packages dialog. Accept any API upgrades, if prompted.

Configure Settings

1. Select File > Build Settings.
2. Click “Switch Platform” from the menu bar at the top of the screen
3. Click the Player Settings button in the Project Settings window.

Preview the Demo Scene in Unity

1. To open the HelloVR scene, click Google VR > Demo> Scenes. Then, select the HelloVR scene from the list.
2. Click the play button. You should now be able to see a rendered version of the game. If you’re using an iPhone, Unity may warn you that the image you see in the editor window isn’t actually stereoscopic. You can ignore this warning if you want to render the game for mobile devices. You cannot use VR for development in Editor mode. Please switch to Player mode and test on an actual device.
3. If you want to simulate real controllers when using the editor, you can do so by pressing “Instant Preview” from within the editor.
4. Use simulation control buttons to interact with the scene

Prepare your Device

You need to turn on Developer Options and USB Debugging before preparing your supported devices for development.

Build and Run the Demo Scene on Your Device

1. Plug your smartphone into your computer via a USB cable.
2. Click “Build” and then click “Run”. Unity builds your project for Android devices, installs it on the phone, and then runs it.
3. Try out the demo by putting the device into your viewer.

What is WebVR?

WebVR is an Open Specification that makes it possible to access VR content from any web page. The goal is to enable anyone to create VR content without having to learn anything new.

How Do I Experience WebVR?

To experience WebVR, you need a VR head­set and a web browser that supports WebVR.

Headset

Basic

If you want to start using VR right away, just buy a simple headset like Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR. Or if you want something more advanced, you can use your smartphone with an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

Best Performace

If you want the best performance and most advanced features, you can use an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive connected to a PC. These will give you the highest frame rates, and highest resolution, and even allow you to move around in VR.

Use without Headset

On some websites, you don’t need a headset at all. You can view the site using your computer or smartphone without one. However, you won’t be able to see everything in 3-D or interact as fully as if you had a headset.

WebVR Browser Setup

Instructions

You’ll be able to experience content in virtual reality using a head­set like the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, or any other device that supports WebVR.

You may want to use the latest browser versions to take advantage of new web technologies like Firefox Nightly, Google Chrome Canary, or a chromium-based browser tuned for WebVR.

If you’re having trouble setting up your account, see the following instructions for various options you may need to change.

Desktop or Mobile 360° Viewing

Most VR websites let you view their contents through a desktop or mobile device with a modern browser without a headset.

They often provide a way for browsing in 360° using panning, orbiting, or zooming with the mouse cursor.

Chrome

1. In the address bar, open chrome://flags#enable-webvr and enable WebVR.
2. Open chrome://flags#enable-gamepad-experiments and enable Gamepad Experiments.

Note: You may need to install Google Chrome manually if you’re using an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset. See the Chromium section below for details.

Chromium

1. Download Chromium with WebVR support from: https://webvr.info/get-chrome.
2. Unzip the downloaded file.
3. Open the chrome.exe file located in the folder.
4. In the address bar, open chrome://flags#enable-webvr and enable WebVR.
5. In the address bar, open chrome://flags#enable-gamepad-extensions and enable Gamepad Extensions.
6. Open the SteamVR app.

Chrome for Android

1. Install Google Chrome on your Android device
2. In the address bar, open chrome://flags#enable-webvr and enable WebVR.

Firefox

You might need to use an older version of Firefox if you’re using Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. Try using Firefox Nightly instead.

Firefox Nightly

Download from: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/desktop

Oculus Rift

If you’re trying to use the Oculus Rift headset to view webvr content, you might first see a message telling you that you cannot view content from “unknown sources.” To resolve this issue

1. Open Oculus Home application settings > general settings
2. Turn on “Unknown Sources”
3. Use Firefox or Chrome to view web pages.

Google Daydream & Cardboard

Google Daydream and cardboard use a mobile phone in combination with a headset.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this quick start guide useful. Please visit the WebVR website for more information about the tech and its potential.

WebVR is currently supported by Firefox Nightly, Chrome beta, and Opera developer edition. It is expected to be included in the standard browser over time.

If you have any questions feel free to comment below.