This site has been archived and remains strictly as a historical reference for developers who actively maintain apps built using the legacy Google VR SDK, which was last updated in 2019 and is no longer receiving updates.
  • All developers actively developing experiences for Google Cardboard should use the new open source Cardboard SDKs for iOS, Android NDK, and Unity XR Plugin. These new SDKs offer streamlined APIs, improved device compatibility, and built-in viewer profile QR code scanning.
  • The Daydream View VR headset is no longer available for purchase as of October 15, 2019. Existing apps on supported devices are unaffected for users who previously installed those applications. It is no longer possible to opt-in to Daydream distribution via Google Play.

Cardboard

Cardboard is the world’s most accessible and affordable VR platform, supporting both Android and iOS. Cardboard enables immersive VR experiences by fusing data from the phone's sensors to predict the user's head position in both the real and virtual worlds. This combined with Cardboard's simple, easy-to-use headset makes it ideal for quick VR experiences.

Cardboard features:

  • Cross-platform support for both Android and iOS devices.
  • Affordable viewers that support one-button input and gaze-based UI.
  • Powerful SDKs that make it easy to create VR experiences in the development environment of your choice

Supported devices

  • Cardboard supports Android versions 4.1 or higher.
  • Cardboard supports iOS versions 8.0 or higher.

Not all viewers work with every phone. If you see a device incompatible message, you may not have a device with a gyroscope included. To see whether your phone will work with a specific Cardboard viewer, check the viewer's website.

Cardboard viewers

Cardboard viewers make it easy to insert and secure your phone for VR experiences. Cardboard viewers are:

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy-to-use even for first time users with just a single button input
  • Immersive, supporting a wide field-of-view

You can buy your own Cardboard viewer here.

Learn more

Take a look at our guides below to get started with the SDK on the platform of your choice.