# Tutorial — Vision Pro Builds
*Augmented Traveler local tutorial.* Back to [[Unreal — Tutorials]] · surface: [[Apple Vision Pro — Process]] · other headsets: [[Tutorial — OpenXR Headset Builds]]
What Unreal can and can't do on **Apple Vision Pro** in September 2026, how to make a test build, and the other routes if we need mixed reality.
## 1. Where things stand (September 2026)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Support level | **Experimental**, since UE 5.4 |
| Mode | **Full immersion only.** No mixed reality or passthrough, no shared space, no "progressive" immersion |
| Epic's position (January 2026, forums) | "Still considered experimental and we have **no roadmap to take it to Beta**… unlikely you'll see significant improvements" |
| Reported issues (5.7) | MSAA renders black, SMAA renders one eye, `vr.PixelDensity` has no effect, the app breaks after pressing Home, world-space UI text is pixelated. Users report 5.7 worse than 5.6.1 |
| UE 5.8 requirements | visionOS 2.4 with **Xcode 26.1.1** recommended (26.0 minimum); macOS Sonoma 14.5 or later on the build Mac |
**Consequence for us:** Unreal on Vision Pro is fine for an **internal test of a full-immersion room** (the Vestal House room with Mitchell). It is **not a dependable public product**, and it can't do the "figure standing in your real room" experience that makes Vision Pro attractive.
## 2. Our decision
1. **Kiosk and Quest remain the priority surfaces.** Vision Pro stays **optional** and unfunded until a partner asks for it (see the optional visionOS developer in [[Year One Budget — Personnel]]).
2. **For a mixed-reality Vision Pro piece** (the figure in your own room), plan a **native RealityKit** or **Unity PolySpatial** build using exported assets, not Unreal:
- **the figure:** export an animated USD (skeletal animation plus baked face animation) of an authored monologue. This is a performance, not live conversation;
- **props:** USD from Maya ([[Tutorial — USD for Maya]]);
- **live conversation** would need a separate lip-sync solution on device or streamed. Treat it as research.
3. **Revisit** when UE6 plans for visionOS are announced.
## 3. Making a Unreal full-immersion test build (Mac seat)
1. **Hardware:** an Apple silicon Mac with Xcode 26.1.1, an Apple Developer account and a Vision Pro in developer mode.
2. **Engine:** the same UE 5.8 project, opened on the Mac. Install the iOS/visionOS target components in the launcher.
3. **Project settings:**
- turn on the visionOS platform;
- set the bundle ID and signing team;
- use a **headset level** (baked lighting, **Optimized** MetaHuman, cards hair, skinned clothing);
- avoid MSAA until checked (it rendered black in 5.7 reports).
4. **Package** for visionOS and deploy through Xcode ([[Tutorial — Packaging Builds for Each Surface]]).
5. **On-device checks:**
- both eyes render;
- text readable;
- frame rate steady;
- Home and return works;
- microphone permission string set.
6. **Record every issue** on this page with the UE and visionOS versions.
## 4. Alternatives at a glance
| Route | Mixed reality | Our assets | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Unreal (visionOS target)** | ❌ Full immersion only | Direct | Low to try; unreliable |
| **Unity PolySpatial** (needs Unity Pro, Enterprise or Industry) | ✅ RealityKit, Metal or hybrid modes | Via FBX/USD; MetaHuman look won't match | Medium; see [[Unity — Process]] |
| **Native RealityKit / Reality Composer Pro** | ✅ | USD (animated) | Medium; Swift developer needed |
| **Native Metal (Compositor Services)** | Full immersion (passthrough via Apple's newer APIs) | Custom renderer | High |
## Sources
- 80 Level, Unreal Engine gets Vision Pro full-immersion support: https://80.lv/articles/unreal-engine-will-get-support-for-apple-vision-pro-s-full-immersion
- Epic forums, visionOS 26.2 and Vision Pro issues (Epic reply, January 2026): https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/collection-of-visionos-26-2-and-vision-pro-issues-and-hopes-for-any-timeline-to-resolve-them/2691226
- Epic, UE 5.8 release notes (Xcode/visionOS requirements): https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/unreal-engine/unreal-engine-5-8-release-notes
- Epic, Supported XR devices: https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/unreal-engine/supported-xr-devices-in-unreal-engine
- Unity, PolySpatial visionOS manual: https://docs.unity3d.com/Packages/
[email protected]/manual/index.html
- Apple, Drawing fully immersive content using Metal: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/compositorservices/drawing-fully-immersive-content-using-metal
- Apple, WWDC24 Render Metal with passthrough in visionOS: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2024/10092/
- Full list: [[Sources — 2026-09-20]]