The Horizon OS 2.9 (v209) system software update recently started rolling out in the PTC (Public Test Channel).
What Is the Public Test Channel (PTC)?
The Public Test Channel (PTC) is Meta Quest’s beta release channel. If you opt in, your headset receives a pre-release build of each version of Quest’s system software, now technically called Horizon OS.
Note that there are often features in the eventual stable version not present in the PTC, and occasionally (but rarely) features or changes in the PTC don’t make it to the stable version. Even when an update supports a feature, individual headset owners may not gain access for weeks or months after it’s announced, while some features quietly roll out to select users as experiments without ever being officially mentioned.
Meta also sometimes describes features inaccurately or lists features as rolling out with a particular PTC or stable version despite them actually being planned for a later release. Some features are announced but then delayed without notice, only to reappear in later announcements.
Meta’s latest update for the Public Test Channel introduces an overhauled 2D window management system, brings back a selection of legacy Virtual Environments, and more.
2D Window Overhaul & Redesigned Control Bars
Horizon OS 2.9 introduces an overhaul of its 2D window management system, internally codenamed Display Evo, which Meta describes as “A new way to organize your app windows.”
While the Navigator replaced the operating system’s tablet-style app dock with a more modern overlay-style launcher, the underlying 2D window system remained largely unchanged, still centering the experience around three apps in a relatively restrictive triple-monitor-style layout and forcing users to juggle additional windows between a simplified dock and the space around them.
Display Evo removes the dock entirely.
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Horizon OS 2.7 pre-release version of the Display Evo system and the Window Manager.
With Horizon OS 2.9 PTC, 2D windows now open spatially around you, and can be grouped by simply moving their edges together, or arranged into a “Stack” that you can flip through like a deck of cards.
This system also introduces a new component called the Window Manager, which Meta says can be accessed via Quick Settings in 2.9 PTC. This allows you to view all open 2D windows, bring them forward, or close them individually or all at once. This is broadly similar to Android XR’s app management interface, presenting open spatial windows in one place for quick selection or dismissal.
In the Horizon OS 2.7 pre-release version of the feature, the Window Manager also includes “Stack” and “3-Up” presets for automatically organizing windows into stacked or triple-monitor-style layouts.
Alongside these larger changes, Meta is also rolling out redesigned window Control Bars, with a dedicated grab handle and separate function buttons. This appears to be designed around the gaze input system shipping with Meta VR Glasses.
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Horizon OS 2.7 pre-release version of the Display Evo Control Bar.
Meta also notes that the standalone “Anchor” option for 2D windows has been removed from the Control Bar in favor of relying on Magnetism, a default window behavior introduced in Horizon OS 2.1 that automatically anchors and attaches windows to vertical surfaces such as walls when they are pushed against them, which Meta says now works more reliably in 2.9 PTC.
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Classic Home Environments
Beginning with the rollout of v81 PTC in August 2025, Meta overhauled the Horizon OS Home Environment system, replacing the many Virtual Environments from over the years with a single high-quality space called Loft that features unrestricted locomotion and customizable Scenery styles.
David Heaney
While reception of Loft’s higher quality and unrestricted locomotion was mostly positive, many existing users were frustrated that Meta chose to remove all of the older Virtual Environments with little warning.
Meta now appears to be directly addressing that feedback with a new feature called Classic Environments.
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Horizon OS 2.9 PTC introduces a new Classic Environments submenu within the Home Editor, accessed by pressing the menu button on the left Touch controller or performing a palm-facing pinch with your left hand. It contains pre-v81 Virtual Environments seemingly ported to the Horizon Engine, with optimized performance and the same free locomotion as Loft.
The two environments available at the time of writing are Desert Terrace, Quest 2’s default environment, and Space Station, the fourth environment released for the original Quest in April 2020.
Harry Baker
Dataminer and programmer Nori was also able to display many other Virtual Environments with active development channels in the Classic Environments submenu, suggesting that more may be released on a rolling basis.
QR Code Scanner
Horizon OS 2.9 PTC adds a system-level QR code scanner to Quest 3 and 3S. The scanner can be accessed by opening the Camera app and scrolling to the bottom of the Camera Bar widget. It can also be added to Quick Controls as a tile through Settings > General > Quick Controls.
Meta also says it can be accessed through Navigator’s Global Search, or by asking Meta AI, “Hey Meta, open QR code scanner,” though I haven’t been able to get it to surface through those entry points.
In my testing, it works well enough in terms of speed. However, a major caveat is that it is currently an immersive app, meaning you can’t use it to scan QR codes alongside 2D windows in Passthrough. You also can’t use it to scan QR codes that may appear within 2D windows or inside immersive apps, including QR codes that world creators sometimes use in social apps such as VRChat.
Improved Surface Keyboard And Touchpad
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Surface Keyboard and Touchpad as shown in the Meta VR Glasses reveal video.
Introduced with v85 PTC in January 2026 as an Experimental feature on Quest 3 and later added to Quest 3S, Surface Keyboard and Touchpad allows you to place a virtual keyboard and touchpad on top of any surface, such as a table or desk. It is set to be a core feature of Meta’s upcoming VR Glasses, and Horizon OS 2.9 PTC sees the company continuing to improve it.
David Heaney
Horizon OS 2.9 PTC simplifies the layout of Surface Keyboard and Touchpad’s UI to more closely match what was shown in the Meta VR Glasses reveal video, while making it easier to access shortcuts and adjust its position.
Meta also says that “Surface Keyboard and Touchpad now works in fully virtual environments as well as passthrough.” However, this was not functional in my testing, suggesting it may be a separate rollout.
Additional Changes
Boundary Setup Recovery
Meta notes that Horizon OS 2.9 PTC changes the scene capture system so that if Boundary setup or space scanning is interrupted, Quest will now revert to the previous Boundary or default to a Stationary Boundary.
In my testing, this also seems to mean that you can start a space scan for a Roomscale Boundary, cancel it, and then restart the process in the same space while retaining the partially scanned area. It is unclear how long the system can preserve interrupted boundaries.
Touch Controller Troubleshooting
Meta says that Horizon OS 2.9 PTC introduces a troubleshooting flow for Touch controllers:
“If a touch controller stops responding, you can now troubleshoot it from your Quest. Go to Settings > Devices > Controllers and select Troubleshoot controllers.”
Search Improvements
Meta notes that Navigator’s Global Search has been improved with the ability to access device settings directly, including while offline:
“You can now find and change settings directly via search. Type Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do not disturb, Travel mode, Passthrough, and more to see the settings for each in the results – even when you’re offline.”
Lying Down Mode Moves To Stable
An undocumented change, Horizon OS 2.9 PTC moves “Use apps while lying down” from the Experimental menu in Settings to general availability in Accessibility > Mobility. This feature allows you to rotate the virtual coordinate space upwards using the recenter action, letting you comfortably use immersive apps and games in bed.
David Heaney
For reference, this feature was first added with v53 PTC in April 2023, was removed from the stable version as Meta explored how to make the tracking mode more robust and simple, re-added to Quest 2 and Pro with v63 in March 2024, then added to Quest 3 with v64 the following month.
Pause Hand Tracking In Gamepad Mode
Another undocumented change, Horizon OS 2.9 PTC adds an optional toggle that prevents the system from automatically switching to Hand Tracking when using the new Gamepad Mode introduced in Horizon OS 2.7, helping prevent accidental hand inputs.
Luna
