Meta's Quest VR headsets now require a Meta account

Last month, Meta told us we'd soon need to make a Meta account to use its Quest virtual reality headsets and, folks, the day is here.

This morning, in an email you may have scrolled right past (like I did), Meta reminded us that new Quest users will needto create a Meta account, starting today. Existing users can stick with their current setup until Jan. 1, 2023, after which they'll be required to open a Meta account, too.

Previously, users were required to have or create a Facebook account to use the headsets. Now, you'll use your email address or Facebook account (Instagram is also an option for first-time users) to create a separate Meta account.

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Any existing apps, achievements, and friends will be automatically migrated to this new account, but friends will be re-dubbed "Meta Horizon followers." Info from your Oculus profile will be migrated to a new Meta Horizon profile, which Meta describes as "your social profile in VR and other surfaces like the web."

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To ensure account migration goes as smoothly as possible, Meta suggests you update your Quest headset to the latest software (R.I.P. my mods) or else you may need to do a factory reset.

The company posted a short overview of the changes in the video at this link. To get started on the update, you can visit the Meta website at this linkor open the Oculus mobile app.