Hi there,
You're not alone—this has been a recurring frustration for many Quest 2 users who want a clean, distraction-free experience without social media integrations.
Currently, it appears that Meta's firmware or account synchronization system automatically re-installs these apps, especially after updates or resets. Unfortunately, there is no official setting that permanently disables them or prevents re-installation at this time.
A few workarounds you might try:
Disable Auto-Updates (if possible): While limited, checking your system update preferences may reduce frequency of forced reinstalls.
Log out of Meta Services: Some users report fewer reinstalls if they avoid linking accounts like Facebook or Messenger, though this can limit some functionality.
Developer Mode Workaround: If you're comfortable with tech, using Developer Mode and ADB tools, you can try to disable package installers or system permissions that trigger auto-installs—though this isn't officially supported and may break other features.
Submit Feedback to Meta: Use the "Report a Problem" feature in the Quest settings, and upvote this type of feature request on the official forums. The more people raise this, the higher the chances it will be addressed in future firmware updates.
We completely agree that users should have the choice to opt out of non-essential apps, especially when it comes to something as personal as a VR environment.
If Meta doesn’t respond to this concern soon, it may be worth exploring headsets from competitors like Valve or Pico that offer more modular software control.
Hope this helps, and you're not alone in asking for more control over your device.
