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Oculus Quest 2 Reportedly Jailbroken, Bypassing Facebook Login Requirement

After weeks of waiting for your new Oculus Quest 2, you put on your shiny new device and turn it on, only to hit a brick wall (not literally). You have to log into a Facebook account in order to use the device. The only problem? You don’t own one or it got banned (oops) or you forgot your password. Now your Quest 2 has become nothing more than a fancy eye mask.

If only there was an alternative method to using the Quest 2. Or perhaps, a way to bypass the Facebook login requirement. A user on Reddit claimed that he or she was able to successfully obtain root access to the device. The possibility of gaining root access to bypass the Facebook Login has been confirmed by the independent research firm XRSI.

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While jailbreak is usually done to modify Android operating systems, this jailbreak may just be the solution to the unfortunate requirement of logging into a Facebook account for the Quest 2. The root method is not available to the public as of now. XRSI is working to create a clear set of policies around the Right to Repair, in order to protect researchers who are looking into other ways to gain root access.

Why are these policies important?

Imagine owning a Quest 2 only to have it rendered useless due to the impediment from Facebook Login. Or maybe you own the Oculus and it somehow starts glitching while you’re using it; logically, you would try to get it fixed instead of buying a totally new device for such a minor issue. However, you aren’t able to modify or repair the device despite owning it as the manufacturer terms dictate that you use the device according to the services it offers. The manufacturer can even throw you in jail for attempting to tinker with a device that you rightfully own!

This is where the Right to Repair comes in. The Right to Repair allows the users of the Quest 2 or any device to have total device ownership. Meaning they have the “ability to repair and modify their own consumer electronic devices, where otherwise the manufacturer of such devices requires the consumer to use only their offered services.” (via XRSI)

How does this affect the Oculus Quest 2?

While the Right to Repair wouldn’t apply to any Facebook services, it will allow owners to use their Quest 2 by bypassing the Facebook Login via jailbreak. Owners can also use the device via third-party app stores without the fear of the Quest 2 being bricked or being reprimanded by manufacturers.

In the midst of our climate crisis, devices can be fixed and thus be used for a longer-term. This makes it more sustainable for the environment as it reduces e-waste. You won’t be throwing away and buying new devices all the time.

The jailbreak is not available to the public as of now. However, some individuals have been showing off their use of the Oculus Quest 2 without a logged-in Facebook account. While it is possible to find a way around the manufacturer policies for the device itself, the rooting of the Quest 2 will most likely violate the Facebook Terms of Service. We will have to wait for the company to release an official statement with regards to this issue.

Meanwhile, the Oculus Quest 2 is now available on Amazon with the 64GB version of the Oculus Quest 2 currently going for S$429.99. The 256GB version is going for significantly more, at S$569.99.