Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset Coming to iOS Devices [Update: No]

Oculus VR is developing a mobile version of its Oculus Rift headset that will be compatible with iOS devices, according to CEO Brendan Iribe who announced the news during VentureBeat's GamesBeat 2013 conference. News of a potential mobile-compatible Oculus Rift originally surfaced earlier this year, when Iribe suggested the company was excited about the rapid development of cellphone technology.

First introduced via Kickstarter last summer, Oculus Rift is a virtual reality head-mounted display that is designed to offer a fully immersive gaming experience.


While current prototypes are designed to work with PCs and Macs, the company plans to launch a mobile version at the same time the PC version hits the market. According to Iribe, the initial mobile version of the Oculus Rift will work solely with iOS devices as Android is not designed to work with virtual reality. The iOS-compatible Oculus Rift will be lighter than the standard version and will utilize the mobile device's processor.

"We have some exciting plans on the mobile VR side as the PC VR side," Iribe said. "We're really looking at hitting the consumer market. We're very excited about what we're seeing. Skeptical about how good mobile VR could be on such a small platform. It's pretty incredible what [John Carmack has] been able to do."

At the current point in time, the Oculus Rift remains in development. Oculus VR has sent out a number of dev kits to Mac and PC developers, but a specific release date has not yet been announced. According to a July interview with Brandon Iribe, the company is aiming for a 2014 launch.

Update: Oculus VR has contacted VentureBeat to clarify that the mobile version of Oculus Rift is being developed for Android, not iOS.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...

Top Rated Comments

efktd Avatar
158 months ago
Update: No.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jsd Avatar
158 months ago
This article is incorrect

VentureBeat misquoted Iribe. The device will be Android-only. They've updated their article.

As for you skeptics: I have an Oculus Rift, and it's the best new device I've used since the original iPhone. It gets the same kind of reactions when I demo, and feels like a real change coming, unlike the Glass or some gimmicky motion controller.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
v0lume4 Avatar
158 months ago
My favorite part is the update in the title. "Update: No".
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MetalHaze Avatar
158 months ago
Really guy....REALLY?!

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
decimortis Avatar
158 months ago
AKA "I am a nerd" confirmation device or "I want to look ridiculous when gaming".

No, thanks.

Look ridiculous to whom exactly?
Half the time, I'm gaming without pants.

D.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locust76 Avatar
158 months ago
Android is not designed to work with virtual reality.
Get on the line to all the iOS Fanboys across the world!

Tell 'em how to bring those sons'a'bitches down!

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)