It’s the end of an era for block-building in virtual reality. Mojang has officially removed VR and mixed reality (MR) support for Minecraft in the latest Bedrock Edition 1.21.80 update, confirming what was announced last year: Minecraft’s official journey in VR has come to a close.
The decision, first revealed in October 2024, stated that support for VR devices would end after March 2025. Now, with the release of today’s patch, that promise has been fulfilled. Players using VR headsets—including Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Rift, and other supported devices—will no longer receive official updates or be able to use VR natively in Bedrock Edition.
In Mojang’s original announcement, the team explained the removal as a matter of resources and feasibility: “Our ability to support VR / MR devices has come to an end,” the studio said, without going into further technical or strategic details. Mojang did, however, reassure players that core gameplay, updates, and Marketplace content will remain accessible on standard platforms.
While this move marks the end of official support, not all is lost for fans who want to continue playing in VR. Thanks to the open and flexible nature of Minecraft Java Edition, modders have stepped in to fill the void. Popular community mods such as Vivecraft still offer VR integration across various headsets, including HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Oculus platforms. For standalone VR fans, QuestCraft enables Minecraft Java to run directly on Meta Quest headsets.
Still, the update is bittersweet for longtime fans. The removal of VR support recalls a moment of promise and potential from earlier days—especially the 2015 HoloLens demo, which showcased Minecraft as one of the most immersive and futuristic gaming experiences of its time. That augmented reality display, while never fully realized for consumers, left a lasting impression on the possibilities of building, exploring, and surviving in VR.
Since then, Minecraft VR had carved out a niche following, particularly among players who loved the immersive perspective and presence that VR offered in survival and creative modes. However, the maintenance costs, compatibility issues across evolving headsets, and relatively small active VR user base likely led Mojang to sunset the feature in favor of maintaining its core experience.
As of now, Minecraft remains one of the most popular games in the world, but it’s now firmly planted back in the realm of flatscreen play—unless, of course, you don’t mind diving into the world of mods.
