One of the features of Samsung’s latest phones is that it can use the phone as a virtual reality (VR) headset. Here’s how to do it with your iPhone instead.
Between Samsung Gear VR and Google’s Cardboard VR initiatives, it’s been a good year for mobile virtual reality. While various versions of Samsung Gear VR work with multiple smartphones, has limited to expensive Samsung flagships. Meanwhile, Google’s Cardboard has made virtual reality available to anyone with an Android phone.
Although not widely announced, partly because Apple has not announced any VR projects, Google’s Cardboard has been working with iPhone and iOS for a while. Virtual reality development efforts on the iPhone still lag significantly behind the kinds of apps and experiences you see on Android, but it’s still fun to try.
Why would you want to try VR on iPhone?
Experiences may be light, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable. Some experiences you can try on iPhone include: movie player that creates a virtual movie theater to watch things Short but fun ride on a roller coaster developed by Cedar Point amusement park and collection of fun shorts inside Google Cardboard iPhone app.
Other than that, however, it can be a great way to introduce your friends and family to kids. idea modern VR. Most people born in the ’70s and beyond are familiar with what virtual reality looks like, but they’re also aware that any app is pretty scary. New headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive offer a more immersive experience than ever before, and while mobile headsets aren’t exactly comparable, they can manage a pretty compelling experience on their own.
How do I use an iPhone with VR?
Trying out iPhone VR is actually pretty easy. Her almost It’s as simple as downloading an app – because you’ll need both a VR-compatible app and a headset that turns your iPhone’s screen into a virtual reality screen. Explore the App Store on your own or try one of the apps we linked above.
In the end, it comes down to two steps:
- Launch a VR app on iPhone.
- Plug the phone into the headset and hold it towards your eyes.
As for finding a headset, the good news: You can get a pretty good experience without spending a lot of money. The easiest way is to look for a headset that says it’s compatible with Google Cardboard. It may or may not mention iPhone, but as long as you make sure it supports your screen size it should work fine.
You can use any modern iPhone – for example, iPhone 5 and newer, but there are two caveats. First, a larger iPhone like the 6/6s and 6 Plus/6s Plus will fit most VR headsets better than a smaller model; Secondly, the 6 Plus and 6s Plus have higher pixel density, so it will naturally look prettier when magnified on one of these earphones.
If you’re looking for the least possible investment to try VR with your iPhone, the new Google Goggle Tech C1-Glass VR Viewer. For just fifteen dollars, these headphones fold completely flat. It won’t work well for movies unless you only use it in a dark room as there is nothing to block the outside light.
For just twice the asking price of fifteen bucks, Mattel, among all people, has released the Mattel View-Master VR Starter Pack, which updates the famous toy (admit it: I’d like to check out the ’80s toy first, without checking out the first View-Master and I wrote it before I discovered it. 1939!) for use as a modern virtual reality headset.
Note: Since there is no connection with iPhone, you must use your headset with either of these headphones. For a completely wireless solution, check out our list of the best wireless earbuds for your iPhone.
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
