Meta XR headsets are very cheap for the performance they give. Unfortunately they require a Meta account and one can assume as much data as legally possibly is sent back to the advertising company.

For years now, since the Quest 1, those Android devices have not been rooted except for some specific version number of the Quest 2.

This recent work https://github.com/FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1 makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

GitHub - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1: Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation.

Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation. - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1

GitHub (github.com)

I should check if anyone's done this with the oculus rift..before they sold to that shit company. haven't used my VR headset since the popup showed to create some bullshit account

Meta XR headsets are very cheap for the performance they give. Unfortunately they require a Meta account and one can assume as much data as legally possibly is sent back to the advertising company.

For years now, since the Quest 1, those Android devices have not been rooted except for some specific version number of the Quest 2.

This recent work https://github.com/FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1 makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

GitHub - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1: Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation.

Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation. - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1

GitHub (github.com)

Reading this has me almost considering one. I feel like I still wouldn’t use it enough for it to be worth it.

Well I would ask you to reconsider reconsidering. It's a very neat technical fear, arguably even an important one... but you would be giving money to Meta. So unless you really have to, because you work in the domain, maybe try to recycle a 2nd hand headset for a cheaper price and tinker with it as much as you want? Maybe even contribute to the rooting process by finding ways to remove the Meta account requirement altogether?

TL:DR: nobody needs a XR headset but if you do and you want to get a Meta one, get it 2nd hand.

Reading this has me almost considering one. I feel like I still wouldn’t use it enough for it to be worth it.

I have a Quest 1 which I still use everyday because it gives me a set exercise regime. Sideloaded a bunch of free indie titles that get me moving and it's worth it.

That seems to be a huge factor in terms of continued usage: Do you use it for regular exercise. Most people who stick with VR seem to get some exercise related quality of life out of the technology.

Meta XR headsets are very cheap for the performance they give. Unfortunately they require a Meta account and one can assume as much data as legally possibly is sent back to the advertising company.

For years now, since the Quest 1, those Android devices have not been rooted except for some specific version number of the Quest 2.

This recent work https://github.com/FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1 makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

GitHub - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1: Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation.

Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation. - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1

GitHub (github.com)

Meta XR headsets are very cheap for the performance they give. Unfortunately they require a Meta account and one can assume as much data as legally possibly is sent back to the advertising company.

For years now, since the Quest 1, those Android devices have not been rooted except for some specific version number of the Quest 2.

This recent work https://github.com/FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1 makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

GitHub - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1: Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation.

Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation. - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1

GitHub (github.com)

Well I would ask you to reconsider reconsidering. It's a very neat technical fear, arguably even an important one... but you would be giving money to Meta. So unless you really have to, because you work in the domain, maybe try to recycle a 2nd hand headset for a cheaper price and tinker with it as much as you want? Maybe even contribute to the rooting process by finding ways to remove the Meta account requirement altogether?

TL:DR: nobody needs a XR headset but if you do and you want to get a Meta one, get it 2nd hand.

I'm kind of curious. Is the Quest 3 actually profitable, or is it a loss leader? If it's the latter, I'd be even more inclined to take their product and have them lose money in the process.

High probability of it being a loss leader with its specs. So if you were to buy and root it they'll definitely lose money.

However, the bootloader unlock process is still quite dangerous so you might end up with an expensive paper weight.

Yesssssss!

Using root on META Quest 3/3S is very dangerous SINGLE CHANGE IN THE BOOTLOADER PARTITION WILL RESULT IN A HARD BRICK AND MAKE YOUR DEVICE UNUSABLE!!! requiring one to unsolder the UFS chip and reprogramming it with external (and expensive) hardware. Reflashing the device via EDL is impossible due to Meta refusing to provide the users the cryptographical keys needed to authentificate secure boot on QFPROM implemetation.

Ehhhhh.... Maybe I'll wait a bit...

Meta XR headsets are very cheap for the performance they give. Unfortunately they require a Meta account and one can assume as much data as legally possibly is sent back to the advertising company.

For years now, since the Quest 1, those Android devices have not been rooted except for some specific version number of the Quest 2.

This recent work https://github.com/FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1 makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

GitHub - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1: Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation.

Our first exploit: a memory corruption vulnerability in the Adreno GPU driver for Eureka/Panther (3/3s) devices, enabling arbitrary kernel memory read/write and privilege escalation. - FreeXR/eureka_panther-adreno-gpu-exploit-1

GitHub (github.com)

... makes the latest headset with a rather recent update (but NOT the very last ones, so be cautious!) rootable.

Any ideas which version(s) are susceptible? I couldn't find it mentioned.

Waiting on a software freedom-respecting headset.

I'm kind of curious. Is the Quest 3 actually profitable, or is it a loss leader? If it's the latter, I'd be even more inclined to take their product and have them lose money in the process.

Yesssssss!

Using root on META Quest 3/3S is very dangerous SINGLE CHANGE IN THE BOOTLOADER PARTITION WILL RESULT IN A HARD BRICK AND MAKE YOUR DEVICE UNUSABLE!!! requiring one to unsolder the UFS chip and reprogramming it with external (and expensive) hardware. Reflashing the device via EDL is impossible due to Meta refusing to provide the users the cryptographical keys needed to authentificate secure boot on QFPROM implemetation.

Ehhhhh.... Maybe I'll wait a bit...

Actually, those steps are the ones necessary to recover from a hard brick (re: the device is unusable because you did something you shouldn't have as root).

The actual process to root the device is simply running a few adb commands (so a prereq is having Developer Mode enabled).

Once you have ran the exploit, your root escalation is temporary until the device is rebooted or you take additional steps to persists your root privileges (thus, potentially leading you towards a hard brick).

source: The docs