Key points
- The Meta Quest v72 update improves hand tracking latency, stability, responsiveness, and interaction functionality.
- The update integrates Instagram Direct Message, improves the media gallery, adds captions to calls, and improves keyboard tracking.
- Meta wraps up 2024's major updates with the release of v72, promising further improvements and options for the family of standalone VR devices in 2025.
The Meta Quest family of virtual reality headsets will see the v72 update roll out starting with this post, bringing with it a number of hand tracking improvements. It's the latest in Meta's efforts to improve the performance of existing Meta Quest hardware, allowing users to do and enjoy more with their VR headsets.
The Meta Quest remains one of the most popular virtual reality headsets due to its ability to be used completely independently. VR enthusiasts don't need a high-performance PC or PlayStation 5 to play VR games. While the headphones already come without a physical cable, the ability to use them with just your hands makes the experience even more liberating.

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While the Meta Quest headphones have had some form of hand tracking for some time now, the company has improved the performance in this new update. Meta Quest's v72 update has reduced latency, made tracking more stable and responsive, and improved pinch-and-drag interaction functionality. As recent updates have improved the Meta Quest headphones when traveling, this update takes that into account as well, allowing users to more easily use hand tracking in tight spaces, which could be useful while doing things like sitting on a plane or a seat on a train.
In addition to the hand tracking improvements, the v72 update also adds some new features and improves existing elements. Instagram Direct Message is now embedded directly into the headphones, the media gallery has been improved, and captions have been added for calls in the People app. Meta is also starting to roll out Meta Quest's keyboard tracking improvements, which will allow users to use any keyboard with mixed reality passthrough. Meta is also working on an experimental feature that will make pairing a PC and Meta Quest even easier. Once the initial setup is complete, users can simply look at their Windows 11 PC and the headset will ask if the user wants to pair devices, with no further input needed on the PC.
Meta said this summarizes the major updates the systems will receive for 2024 as the year comes to a close. However, more updates are coming the following year, so it will be interesting to see what new experiences and options come to the family of standalone VR devices once 2025 arrives.