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Getting Started

From VRChat Wiki
Revision as of 23:35, 13 November 2024 by Tony Lewis (talk | contribs) (Replace with suitable word)
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V · EThis is an official VRChat information page!
It is written and maintained by VRCWiki Team.


This page will help you get started with VRChat. You’ll be up and running in a jiffy!

Reading this page will easily explain:

  • Which devices are VRChat compatible
  • Where to install VRChat from
  • What to expect during your first few minutes of using VRChat
  • Bonus video guides to help with your first experience

If you are unfamiliar with any Unofficial Community Source Terminology, or subjects, feel free to click on any of the blue highlighted hyperlinks that lead to other pages of the VRChat Wiki.

System requirements / recommendations

Standalone devices

VRChat runs on the following standalone headsets:

  • Meta Quest 2
  • Meta Quest 3
  • Meta Quest 3S
  • Meta Quest Pro
  • Vive Focus Vision
  • Vive XR Elite
  • Pico 4
  • Pico 4 Pro
  • Pico 4 Ultra

Mobile devices

VRChat can be played on any Android 10+, or iOS 17.0+ device with at least 6GB of system RAM, and is connected to Wi-Fi or over 4G/5G cellular networks.

Any recent mid-range or higher Android or iOS device should meet these specifications.

Steam Deck

Valve's testing indicates that VRChat is Verified on the Steam Deck. It is fully functional and works great with the built-in controls and display.

  • All functionality is accessible when using the default controller configuration.
  • VRChat shows Steam Deck controller icons.
  • In-game interface text is legible on the Steam Deck.
  • VRChat's default graphics configuration performs well on the device.

PC

Minimum Requirements to play VRChat

Minimum Desktop Minimum VR
CPU Intel® i5-4570k or AMD FX 8350 or equivalent CPU Intel® Core™ i7-4790K or Ryzen 3 2400g/3000g or equivalent*
Memory 4GB Memory 8-10GB
GPU NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 970 or AMD Radeon™ R9 290 or equivalent GPU NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 580 or equivalent
Disk Space 21.5GB of storage (~1.5GB for application, 20GB minimum cache size) Disk Space -
Internet Connection 15-25Mbps download speed Internet Connection -
OS Windows 10, Windows 11 OS -

* You can get away with using an Intel i5-4570k or AMD FX 8350, but you will have heavily degraded performance.

These are the absolute minimum requirements to run VRChat on desktop and VR mode. Although the application will run, you may encounter performance issues. VRChat has lots of user-created content, some avatars and worlds may cause your performance to drop more than you might expect from a typical game! It is recommended adjusting your Safety Settings for the most optimal experience.

If you want to see if your PC is compatible with playing VRChat in VR Mode, you can download and use the Are you ready for Valve Index? application.

Recommended Specifications to play VRChat

Recommended Desktop Recommended VR
CPU AMD 5800X3D or 7800X3D, or 12th Generation Intel® i5 or equivalent CPU -
Memory 32GB Memory 32-48GB
GPU NVIDIA GeForce® RTX 3060 12GB or equivalent GPU NVIDIA GeForce® RTX 3070 8GB or equivalent
Disk Space 31.5GB of storage (~1.5GB for application, 30GB cache size) Disk Space -
Internet Connection 100-150Mbps download speed Internet Connection -
OS Windows 10, Windows 11 OS -

For your CPU, you'd want to get a 7800X3D, as AMD swapped to a new socket (AM5) with this generation. The AMD X3D series of processors perform unusually well in VRChat and other games due to their very large onboard cache. As for the GPU, selecting cards that have more V-RAM will give you a performant experience. However in certain cases (Including VR) it is mostly recommended that you choose a card that has generally better performance.

Installing VRChat

On Meta Quest

for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3(S), Meta Quest Pro

Either search for VRChat on the Meta store, or install from the Meta page.

On Pico

for Pico 4, Pico 4 Pro, Pico 4 Ultra

Either search for VRChat on the Pico store, or install from the Pico Store page.

On Vive

for Vive XR Elite, Vive Focus Vision

On the Viveport Store page, you may either search for VRChat, or click here.

On PC

Via Steam

On the Steam Store page, you may either search for VRChat, or click here.

Via Viveport

On the Viveport Store page, you may either search for VRChat, or click here.

Via Meta Store

for Meta Rift, Meta Rift S

Either search for VRChat on the Meta store, or install from the Meta page.

On Android

You can search for VRChat on the Google Play Store, or tap this link on your mobile device.

On iOS (Beta)

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V · EUnreleased or beta content!
This content is currently unreleased or in beta, be aware it could change!

If you were given access to the iOS beta, you can look for the "test-flight" invite link, on the e-mail address associated with your VRChat account. After you joining the beta test, you can then install the application.


Account creation

An image of the VRChat login screen

When you launch VRChat, you will be presented with a log in screen. You will have options on changing languages, reading Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy, and primarily signing in with a VRChat account, or create a device account via Steam, Meta, Google, Pico, or VIVE, depending on the device being used. To log in to a VRChat account, you must first register on VRChat's website. Creating a VRChat account will grant you access to the VRChat application, a web version of your VRChat profile, friend list, browse worlds, and generate impostors. You will also be able to access VRChat's Software Development Kit, Feedback Forums, Ask Forums, enroll in the Creator Economy Program, and edit the VRChat Wiki.

Creating a device account via Steam, Meta, Google, Pico, or VIVE, will only grant instantaneous access to the VRChat application. It is also possible to merge accounts if you wish to generate a device account now, and create a VRChat account later. After merging your device account to a VRChat account, choosing to log into the device account will transfer your login to the VRChat account.

Learning how to use VRChat

When you log into VRChat, you’ll start in a private Home world! Here, you can explore at your own pace to learn the controls, adjust settings, find your first avatar, and go to your next world! The default Home world is the VRChat Home, a welcoming place to begin your session. You can choose to go back to your private Home instance at any time by opening up the Quick Menu, and choosing the Go Home tile.

When meeting another user in VRChat, you can open up your Quick Menu, and learn more information about a user. To do this in VR, point the laser in your off-hand at them. A capsule will appear, and you click the trigger button to bring open a separate menu. On desktop, you can either click the Select User tile, or hold the Shift key and hover over the capsule. Use the left mouse button to open the new menu. On mobile, simply tap on the user to bring open the menu.

In the Quick Menu there also is a tab which shows you the list of current players in the instance: the Here tab. By clicking on one of the user names in the list you can: read their biography, request to add them as a friend, change their microphone volume, mute them, hide their avatar, clone their avatar if available, or block them.

Community resources

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V · ECommunity-written content
The following was created by the community. It may contain material not directly endorsed by the VRChat team. To learn more, consider reading Contributing to the VRChat Wiki.

Our community has created many great guides on getting started in VRChat. Here are a few videos that you can check out to learn how to use VRChat, and also some additional guides and context.

Thank you to PHIA and The Virtual Reality Show team for creating the videos below.

  • The Best VR Setup for YOU! - This guide for 2024 reviews the current VR hardware landscape and gives a good picture of what VRChat players use as they upgrade their equipment.

Official resources

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V · EGetting Started in VRChat
Getting StartedMenusControlsSafetyVRChat+TroubleshootingResourcesFAQ