Removing Keyboard Tracking on Quest 2 / Pro: What’s next on the chopping block?

[antonio.sergio.II]

I’m writing this post to express my frustration and disappointment with Meta’s recent decision to discontinue support for physical keyboard tracking on the Quest 2 and Pro, as stated in the V72 release notes. As someone who invested in this device—and specifically purchased a compatible keyboard based on Meta’s advertised features—this move feels like a betrayal of trust.

Keyboard tracking was not just a minor feature; it’s a functionality that greatly enhances the use of the device as a true virtual desktop. Removing it now, without offering any meaningful alternative or compensation, leaves early adopters like me wondering: what’s next on the chopping block? It’s hard to justify investing in a platform when core features can disappear overnight. This even reminds me of the downgrade made to Horizon Workrooms’ resources.

Adding to my frustration, I spent a considerable amount of time searching for the reason why the keyboard tracking option wasn’t appearing in my settings. Only after reading the release notes did I realize the feature had been quietly removed. This lack of proactive communication is deeply disappointing and leaves customers feeling overlooked.

Seriously, what led to the removal of this feature? Is there any plan to offer a replacement or update to restore similar functionality? I’m not posting this to vent aimlessly; I genuinely hope Meta takes this feedback seriously.

If others here feel the same way, I’d like to hear your thoughts as well.

[Electrical_Algae]

I agree on all points and I am disappointed as well. I just spent hours getting from v71 to v72 for my Quest 2 headset (the version update would not finish) just because of the new tracking feature for all keyboards. Only after getting it done and wondering why the keyboard tracking feature is not there, I found the hidden remark of the Quest 2 losing support for that. 

My headset is only two years old and I feel completely left behind already.

Only upside is being lucky I did not get a "supported" keyboard for christmas (I told everyone how awesome that would be - now I tell everyone about the company's decision). 

Cheers.

[Origami4gamin_TTV]

I have argued with someone on the Meta Forum that support for Q2 is fading. And he said oh we have a long time before it's done for, true, but features fade out of the Q2 like they did to Q1 and as well Q Pro. Q1 is done for unless you use it for PCVR only, I believe. 

[DaftnDirect]

Depends on what works best overall.

Keyboard passthrough cut-out means every keyboard can be used instead of the ones that were given tracking support. I assume every tracked keyboard needs to have some sort of template stored on the headset for it to be properly recognised, size, shape, geographical variations, US ANSI, UK ISO, European ISO etc. There must also be some small processing cost associated with transposing the physical within the virtual... but I'm guessing there. Th cut-out probably needs similar resources to maintain tracking... so yeah, I'm guessing this is just a developer resource/keyboard compatibility decision. 

If you had a tracked keyboard, that's great but this means you don't need one. If you bought one because of the tracking feature, then yeah, it's annoying when the feature goes for sure, but those keyboards still work with the cut-out.

They could have kept the tracking and have the cut-out too but devs sometimes want to minimise code if they don't see a future for it.

[antonio.sergio.II]

I see your point, but in my case (Quest Pro), I lost both features—the passthrough cut-out isn’t available in most apps or even in the native system on the Quest 1, Quest 2, or Pro, and now the tracked keyboard support is gone as well. So instead of having an alternative, I’m simply left with a functional keyboard that no longer has any visual representation in VR—neither through tracking nor passthrough.

This fundamentally changes the experience. Previously, I could see and interact with my keyboard naturally in the virtual space, making typing more intuitive. Now, I’m left typing on an invisible keyboard, which is a major downgrade in usability—though fortunately, I can type without looking. While I understand the need to optimize resources, removing core features from premium devices like the Quest Pro without offering an equivalent solution for affected users erodes confidence in the platform's reliability and future direction...

[DaftnDirect]

@antonio.sergio.II yeah, sorry it's just a Quest 3 feature, I look at my keyboard (and my alpha and bravo flight controller buttons) through the space in the Pro's open lower area, so never checked if the cut-out was available on that headset.

Quest 2 users definitely lose out.

tbh it still needs more development on the Quest 3, it can be quite glitchy, at least when recognising my keyboard if there are too many similarly coloured items next to it. Hopefully it'll get the improvements but that doesn't help anyone who relied on the previous tracking feature.