unity-xr

Unity 6 XR Development Guide

Source: Unity 6.3 LTS Documentation (6000.3)

XR Architecture Overview

Unity defines XR as encompassing three application types:

• Virtual Reality (VR) -- The application simulates a self-contained environment around the user
• Mixed Reality (MR) -- Combines virtual environments with real-world settings for interaction
• Augmented Reality (AR) -- The application layers content over a view of the real world

The XR stack in Unity 6 consists of:

1. XR Plug-in Management -- Discovers and loads platform XR SDKs
2. OpenXR Plugin -- Open, royalty-free standard by Khronos for cross-platform XR
3. XR Interaction Toolkit (XRI) -- High-level component-based interaction system
4. AR Foundation -- Cross-platform AR framework with provider plug-in architecture
5. Input System -- Action-based input required by OpenXR and XRI

XR Plug-in Management

Configure via Edit > Project Settings > XR Plug-in Management.

• Enable OpenXR and desired Feature Groups per platform
• Select Interaction Profiles (controller mappings) in the OpenXR > Features tab
• Run Project Validation for build-time compatibility checks
• Verify the active runtime matches target hardware

Supported Runtimes and Platforms

Runtime	Target	Graphics
Windows Mixed Reality	Win64	DX11
Oculus PC + Link	Win64	DX11
Meta Quest	Android arm64	Vulkan
Magic Leap 2	Android x64	Vulkan
SteamVR	Win64	DX11

OpenXR Interaction Profiles

• Eye Gaze Interaction
• HTC Vive Controller
• Khronos Simple Controller
• Microsoft Motion Controller
• Oculus Touch Controller
• Valve Index Controller

OpenXR Scripting API

// Iterate all OpenXR features
var features = OpenXRSettings.Instance.GetFeatures();
foreach (var feature in features)
{
    Debug.Log($"Feature: {feature.name}, Enabled: {feature.enabled}");
}

// Get a specific feature by type
var feature = OpenXRSettings.Instance.GetFeature<MockRuntime>();
if (feature != null)
{
    Debug.Log($"MockRuntime Enabled: {feature.enabled}");
}

// Iterate feature groups (Editor only)
var featureSets = OpenXRFeatureSetManager.FeatureSetsForBuildTarget(
    BuildTargetGroup.Standalone
);
foreach (var featureSet in featureSets)
{
    Debug.Log($"Feature Set ID: {featureSet.featureSetId}");
}