How to use the new, easier Guest Mode on Vision Pro

Vision Pro Guest mode is how you can share your Vision Pro with someone else. Because if you own one of Apple’s new AR/VR headsets, everyone you know is inevitably going to want to try it on. That’s where Vision Pro Guest Mode comes in.

With the release of visionOS 2.4 and iOS 18.4, setting up Guest Mode is much easier than before. The old way still works — but to make sharing your headset more seamless, you should follow the instructions below. There’s a little bit of setup, but then it should be smooth sailing.

This is how to set up a guest user on Vision Pro. Keep reading or watch our video.

Vision Pro Guest Mode: How to let someone else try on your Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro is the company’s futuristic mixed-reality headset. It blends the experience of using apps like Messages, Safari, TV, Music and others into the real world, as large floating windows in your surrounding space. The Vision Pro’s advanced eye and hand tracking is a seamless and invisible user interface.

This technology comes at a rather steep cost — if you’re lucky enough to own one, others will surely want to try it out. That’s why Apple made Guest Mode for friends and family to share temporarily your headset.

Table of Contents: Vision Pro Guest Mode

Authorize your iPhone or iPad to set up Vision Pro Guest Mode
Have them put on contact lenses, if possible
Put on the headset
Click the Digital Crown to set up Guest Mode
Automatic screen sharing on your device
Calibrate hand and eye tracking, and save their guest setup

Authorize your iPhone or iPad to set up Vision Pro Guest Mode

On your Vision Pro, open Settings > Optic ID & Passcode. You’ll have to type in your passcode. Then, tap Enable Guest User with Nearby Device, and enable it on your iPhone (or iPad).

If you don’t see this setting, make sure your Vision Pro is running visionOS 2.4 or later and your iPhone is running iOS 18.4 or later.

Have them put on contact lenses, if possible

Vision Pro needs to be tuned to the user’s specific eye prescription, because it simulates a focal distance of about 4.5 feet. If you have Zeiss optical inserts, unless the person you’re sharing with has very similar eyesight to you, take them out and put them somewhere safe. If they wear contacts, they should put those on.

Some people have just been wearing their glasses inside Vision Pro and it does seem to work. Apple, however, cautions that glasses are “not compatible” with Vision Pro. It might work in a pinch, if the glasses are thin and small, but it’ll compromise how well the eye tracking feature works.

Put on the headset
This should automatically pop up.Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Make sure you and your guest both know to grab the headset by the metal frame or the ear pieces. Don’t pick it up by the foam light shield, because it attaches magnetically and could fall off. Allow them to tighten the strap to their head at their own degree of comfort.

Click the Digital Crown to set up Guest Mode

When they put on the Vision Pro, they’ll be prompted for a passcode — instead, tell them to click the Digital Crown. This will prompt your iPhone (or iPad) to set up Guest Mode. Just like connecting a pair of AirPods, you’ll see a slide-up panel on your phone. You can tap Continue to allow them to use the headset or Decline to be rude.

Through the setup panel, you can choose what the guest is allowed to access. Tap Select Apps if you want to give them selective access, or pick Start with All Apps if you’re comfortable with them seeing everything.

After that, your Vision Pro will be unlocked to the guest.

Automatic screen sharing on your device

It’ll automatically start screen sharing to your iPhone or iPad.

If your guest wants to watch content in the Apple TV app, you’ll need to pause screen sharing. Tap the Close button (×) in the upper left. To resume screen sharing, tap on the Live Activity or tap the Guest User button in Control Center or on the Lock Screen.

Calibrate hand and eye tracking, and save their guest setup

For your guest, on-screen directions will prompt them to hold their hands in front so it can take a quick scan. This is necessary for the gestures to work. It will also need to calibrate to their eyes.

During this process, your guest can choose to save their hand and eye calibration. If your partner or roommate wants to use your Vision Pro often, this will save them the hassle of recalibrating their eyes every single time they put it on. The next time they use it, they can choose the saved guest configuration.

You can only have one guest user saved at a time, and unfortunately, they expire if they aren’t used for 30 days. But while Guest Mode is active, there are no time restrictions. They can kick back and play games or watch all several hours of Immersive Video in the TV app.

End Vision Pro Guest Mode

Tap the Close (×) button the Vision Pro Live Activity to end Guest Mode. The Vision Pro will be instantly locked for the guest. All apps they’re running will close, though they will still be able to see their surroundings.

More on Apple Vision Pro:

We originally published this article on Vision Pro Guest Mode on February 6, 2024. We updated it on April 2, 2025.