Meta recently announced a significant shift in its enterprise XR strategy: Horizon Managed Services (HMS) and the commercial versions of its Meta Quest devices will no longer be available for new purchases after February 20, 2026. While existing customers will retain access to HMS—at no cost—through January 2030, the change has far-reaching implications for organizations using Meta’s XR ecosystem in training, education, and enterprise environments. For leaders responsible for immersive technology deployment, this is not simply a licensing update; it is a clear signal that enterprise XR is evolving, and with it, the expectations and responsibilities placed on organizations deploying XR at scale.
At its core, Meta’s decision represents a pivot away from centrally managed, enterprise-grade device provisioning and toward a more decentralized, self-managed future. While customers with existing deployments can continue operating as normal for the next few years, those planning to expand, replace, or launch new XR initiatives built around Meta’s HMS will need to rethink how they source and manage hardware. This is especially critical in sectors like energy, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, where immersive training plays a central role in safety, compliance, and operational readiness.
Meta’s updated roadmap signals a broader industry trend: enterprises can no longer rely on consumer XR vendors to maintain long-term commercial support models. Instead, organizations must assume greater control over their own immersive infrastructure—whether that means managing device fleets, ensuring software compatibility, or handling licensing and support internally or via partners. For enterprise XR programs to remain resilient, they will need to embrace hardware flexibility, platform-agnostic content solutions, and proactive lifecycle planning.
There are three specific implications of Meta’s announcement that every XR leader should understand. First, organizations planning to grow their XR footprint in the next 12 to 24 months should reevaluate procurement timelines. If new Meta Quest devices are central to your roadmap, purchases should ideally be made before the 2026 cutoff. Delays may mean having to pivot to resellers or alternate platforms without the same level of managed support or enterprise provisioning tools.
Second, companies must audit their existing XR fleet. Understanding which devices are licensed under HMS, and documenting their support timelines, refresh cycles, and hardware dependencies, will be critical to avoid disruptions. This level of visibility ensures that training programs tied to specific hardware aren’t unintentionally interrupted as support structures begin to wind down.
Third, and perhaps most strategically, enterprises must decouple their XR initiatives from vendor lock-in. Relying too heavily on one hardware manufacturer or commercial services model creates long-term risk, particularly in industries where training compliance, safety protocol adherence, and real-time content delivery are mission-critical. The more scalable approach is to build on top of flexible, no-code platforms like Facilitate that enable immersive training content to be created and delivered across a variety of devices. This not only reduces procurement and development friction but also extends the lifespan of content assets across future hardware generations.
In many ways, Meta’s shift mirrors a broader maturity curve for XR in enterprise: moving from early experimentation and pilot programs to scaled, institutionalized training and operations infrastructure. The support for existing HMS users through 2030 is meaningful—but the writing is on the wall. Organizations that proactively invest in platform flexibility, internal capability building, and long-term XR roadmap planning will be far better positioned to maintain continuity, reduce risk, and drive value from immersive technology—regardless of the hardware manufacturer.
Ultimately, immersive learning remains a powerful differentiator for organizations looking to reduce risk, accelerate workforce readiness, and cut training costs. But success will depend on foresight. The sunsetting of HMS is not a crisis, but a catalyst—a chance to take control of your XR future and ensure it’s built on stable, adaptable ground.
What should I do now?
To prepare for this shift and ensure XR continuity at scale, enterprise teams should take the following steps:
This is an opportunity to reinforce the resilience and agility of your immersive training program. With the right preparation, your organization can maintain momentum—while building a stronger foundation for the next decade of enterprise XR.