Meta Horizon Managed Services: Everything you need to know about the discontinuation of the commercial offering and the transition to the free model in 2026

The truth behind the Meta announcement

Meta has informed its partners of a major shift in its B2B strategy. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the professional mixed reality sector. Yet, this strategic pivot could democratize access to VR device management tools for businesses.

February 20, 2026 marks a pivotal date. What does this change mean for your organization? Let's examine the real impacts on your professional Meta Quest products.

This effectively ends on February 20th.

End of specific hardware bundles

Product references dedicated to the professional market are disappearing. The Work and Education packages for the Meta Quest 3 and 3S , with their integrated features, are no longer available. These Business SKUs offered a turnkey package with Meta Horizon Managed Services licenses and pre-installed security settings.

From now on, only one range exists: consumer-grade equipment. Businesses will buy the same headsets as individuals, with potential advantages in availability and price.

End of extended "Business" warranty

The 3-year professional warranty is being discontinued. This coverage provided reassurance for large-scale deployments. Standard Meta headsets offer a 12-month warranty, insufficient for intensive use in training or shared environments.

Customers will need to anticipate the purchase of extended warranties via third-party insurers or resellers before the deadline.

End of bundled paid HMS licenses

The Meta Horizon Managed Services offering, bundled with hardware, is being discontinued. No more bundles with integrated fleet management licenses. Until now, companies paid extra for remote management features and content deployment tools.

But the end of the paid license does not mean the end of the service.

The paradox: Why this isn't the "death" of HMS

Free access for all: a strategic turning point

Meta Horizon Managed Services is not going away. Meta is making its management services completely free. Starting February 20, 2026, any company will be able to download and activate HMS via a portal on the Meta website. Zero license fees, no subscription.

This free service is revolutionizing a market where management solutions cost several tens of euros per device annually. Meta is promoting widespread adoption by eliminating the software barrier, preferring to save money on hardware and applications.

Thanks to this free service, SMEs can consider distance education and training projects without increasing costs.

Meta is committed: HMS functionalities will remain available until at least 2030. This guarantee covers technical support and updates to the management system. Companies investing today can be confident that they will be able to manage their device fleet until the end of the decade.

This commitment represents a floor that Meta could extend depending on business market adoption.

The "Consumer Equipment + Professional Services" model

The formula simplifies the approach: buy standard headsets , then activate the professional overlay for free. Businesses can take advantage of consumer promotions and purchase locally.

Professional users benefit from MDM tools: kiosk mode, content distribution, application control, account management – all these features remain available free of charge.

Impacts on existing users and fleets

For current customers: continuity guaranteed

Your deployments are continuing as normal. No interruptions are planned. Paid subscriptions will automatically switch to the free version upon expiration, with no loss of functionality. Your organization retains control over its VR environments, accounts , and deployed applications.

For new projects: a two-step process

• First step: acquiring standard equipment
• Step two: Register on the Meta portal to activate HMS. Create a professional account, register the serial numbers, and upload the profiles. Meta will offer mass deployment tools.

Conduct a pilot with 5 to 10 headsets to validate the process before full deployment.

Meta strategy behind this pivot

Simplification of the product range

Meta focuses on industrial efficiency. Producing a single product reduces costs and accelerates production. This streamlining unifies R&D: every innovation immediately benefits all users.

Democratizing XR deployment

By making the software free, Meta lowers the barrier to entry. SMEs can consider XR applications without any upfront software investment. A center can invest in 30 Meta Quest 3 devices, activate HMS for free, and deploy educational content .

Meta is betting on volume: more headsets = more business applications = enriched ecosystem.

Change history

Meta has transformed Oculus for Business into a unified Quest for Education. The move to a free model maximizes adoption while minimizing complexity.

FAQ: Your questions about Meta HMS

Can I still buy Quest Business headsets?

Yes, Business SKUs remain available until February 20, 2026. Take advantage of this to secure extended warranties, especially for large volumes.

What happens to my current HMS helmets?

They will continue to function normally. You will migrate to the free version when your license expires, without any interruption of service.

Does the free version of HMS have the same features?

Yes, the management features are identical: kiosk mode , content distribution, application control, and security settings. Support is evolving towards documentation and forums.

How do I activate HMS after February 20th?

Through a registration portal where you will create your professional account and download HMS profiles. Resellers will offer turnkey activation services.

What guarantee is there for consumer electronics?

The Quest 3 comes with a standard 1-year warranty. Purchase extensions through partners or resellers. Some XR resellers offer extended warranties and express replacements.

Conclusion: An opportunity to seize

Meta's announcement regarding Meta Horizon Managed Services reveals a democratization strategy. The end of the packaged offering opens access to everyone. Thanks to the free software, economic barriers collapse for all sectors: training, education, and industry.

Shared mode and immersive learning tools remain accessible. Simplification will accelerate hardware innovation.