Finger tracking
Finger tracking, also known as hand tracking, is a feature that exists on some VR headsets or VR controllers, that allow a user's hands and fingers to be accurately tracked on an avatar within VRChat. Hand tracking provides another way to use kinesthetic controls on VRChat.
Overview
Finger tracking can be emulated with controllers such as the Index controllers, but some headsets with 'inside-out tracking' such as the Meta Quest, or Pico, can also utilize finger tracking. Finger tracking is currently supported on Pico, and all Meta Quest headsets, and can be used with either standalone VR, or through PCVR.
Enabling finger tracking
On standalone Quest
To enable finger tracking on Quest systems, go to the settings on the Quest dashboad, then 'Movement tracking', then make sure 'Hand and body tracking' is enabled. Your hands should start being tracked within the Quest menu, and on VRChat if you set down your controllers.
On PCVR, through Quest
Please note that finger tracking cannot be utilized over wired Quest Link methods at this time.
Enabling finger tracking on PCVR also requires the feature to be enabled on standalone Quest, through the Quest dashboard's settings. When launching an application that connects to your computer, such as Steam Link, or Virtual Desktop, tap your controllers together twice, and then set your controllers down on a flat surface once the app is loaded.
For the best finger tracking results, keep your hands where the cameras on your Quest can see them, and offer ample lighting.
Controls
Finger tracking tutorial
To learn about hand tracking, VRChat released both a video tutorial, and a finger tracking tutorial world, designed for Quest headsets, and other VR systems utilizing Android.
To move around the world, hold your left hand up, palm facing upwards, towards your face. Touch your middle finger to your thumb in a "pinch" motion, and a small blue sphere will appear. While still pinching, move your fingers away from that sphere, and your avatar will move in that direction.
To turn left and right, pinch your middle finger to your thumb with your right hand. While still pinching, move your hand left or right from its original position. You can also turn with Comfort Turning (snap turning) on or off. If you have Comfort Turning on, you will need to move your pinched finger past the turn point each time you turn. It might be easier to use this locomotion method with Comfort Turning disabled in your Settings.
You can mute yourself by holding your thumb and ring finger together for a moment on your left hand.
Open your Quick Menu by pinching your index finger and your thumb on your left hand. This is a default gesture on Meta systems, and you will see a small menu icon floating over your hand, which fills a gauge as you long-pinch. There are three methods you can use to open your Quick Menu:
- Palm Facing Pinch
- Circle Key
- Push Button
Open your Action Menu by pinching your right index finger, and little finger together. You can close the Action Menu, by facing your palm towards the menu, and clicking on the Close button.
To interact with the user interface and menus, point at it with either hand, and select things by pinching your index and thumb together.
Picking up world objects can be done by going near the object, and clenching your fist. Additionally, you can use objects by keeping your middle, ring, and little fingers clenched, but separately pinching your index and thumb together.
Finger tracking controls can be viewed in the Controls tab of the Main Menu, while finger tracking is enabled.
Official resources
- Beginner's Guide to VRChat Hand/Finger Tracking by VRChat on YouTube
- Quest 2 Finger Tracking by VRChat on YouTube
- Quest 2 - Finger Tracking Tutorial world on VRChat
- SteamVR Skeletal Hand Tracking Driver Guide on docs.vrchat.com
