Hamburg Hall A-104 › Heinz XR Lab and Lending Library › Tutorial: Using XR Headsets › How to EXIT an APP and TURN OFF the headset?

How to Exit Apps and Power Down Your Meta Quest Headset?

Master the basics of safely exiting applications and properly shutting down your headset to preserve battery life and ensure system updates.

Exiting Any Application

Press the Meta button (located next to the A button on your right controller) to instantly return to your home menu from any app. No matter what you're doing in VR, one press brings you back to safety.

Properly Powering Off Your Headset

Hold the Power Button

Press and hold the power button on the right side of your headset for 2–3 seconds.

Wait for the Menu

Keep holding until you see “POWER OFF” appear in your display.

Confirm Shutdown

Use your controller to click “POWER OFF” before removing your headset.

Why Proper Shutdown Matters?

System Updates

Powering off properly triggers the system to check for and install critical updates while charging.

Battery Preservation

A complete shutdown saves significantly more battery than sleep mode - essential for next session readiness.

Pro Tip: Always power off completely after each session, not just when the battery is low. This simple habit extends your headset's lifespan.

Controller Battery Management

Check the Menu Bar

Battery levels for both controllers appear on your home menu bar - check them before starting any session. A green light means that it is fully charged.

One AA Battery Each

Each controller requires one AA battery. Keep spares handy - dead controllers mid-session ruins the experience.

Charging Your Headset

As a reminder, plug in your headset after EACH session and keep it on the charger until you're ready to use it again. The battery drains very quickly. If you need to charge it for class, you can use it while it is plugged in. However, you will need an extension cord since the charging cord isn't very long. If you're on campus, put one in your backpack for emergencies.