AMD recently launched an updated version of their Radeon Software suite which brought the ability to stream SteamVR games to standalone and smartphone-based headsets, provided you own a supported AMD GPU. Now the company has put future support for all Oculus mobile devices in doubt.

The tool is already live for Vive Focus and Daydream devices through the AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition and requisite Radeon ReLive for VR companion app.

When it was released last week, an AMD spokesperson confirmed that the functionality would eventually come to Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR too. According to a statement from AMD obtained by PCGamesN, that may not be the case now, as the company is ostensibly retracting support for Oculus mobile devices on ReLive for VR.

“Due to the fact that the Radeon ReLive for VR software and the wireless streaming feature requires Steam VR, it does not comply with the requirements of the Oculus Store and therefore will not support Oculus devices.”

Tom’s Hardware also obtained a statement from AMD confirming the issue, saying that Oculus has not approved AMD’s companion app for the Oculus Store.

If Oculus Go and Gear VR are a no-go for the SteamVR app streaming service, it’s possible that Oculus won’t allow support for Oculus Quest when it arrives next year either due to the same Store policy roadblock.

To use the VR streaming feature, users need a modern AMD GPU (specifically RX 470, RX 570, RX 480, RX 580, RX 590 or RX Vega series), a Windows 10 PC and an 802.11ac (5GHz) router.

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There are however alternative services that do support SteamVR app streaming to Oculus mobile VR devices such as the paid streaming tool VRidge and the free, open source tool ALVR.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • AlanWake

    Wow, this is a huge mistake.. I hope nVidia will make similar drivers and will support Oculus Go and Oculus Quest.

    • NooYawker

      “Due to the fact that the Radeon ReLive for VR software and the wireless
      streaming feature requires Steam VR, it does not comply with the
      requirements of the Oculus Store and therefore will not support Oculus
      devices.”

      “obtained a statement from AMD confirming the issue, saying that Oculus
      has not approved AMD’s companion app for the Oculus Store.”

      Maybe I’m reading it wrong but it looks like its Facebook blocking AMD not AMD blocking the oculus.

      • Firestorm185

        Yes, because it requires a companion app to run which conflicts with Oculus drivers. But Geforce could just make a solution that uses Oculus’ drivers instead, whatever that be.

    • shakum

      You think Nvidia is out to rescue you LOL? Nvidia is a monopolistic proprietary corporation by nature and it’s marketing department has you by the balls. Oculus better get with the game else they’ll be left out because AMD is also bringing wireless VR to PS5 and Xbox in 2019.

  • doug

    The story doesn’t explicitly say it won’t work with oculus, only that AMD can’t make that marketing claim, due to Oculus’ marketing rules. If it doesn’t work week 1, I bet a hack has it working week 2.

  • Firestorm185

    *cough*sideload*cough*

    although I know that’s not how it works. XD

    • Lucidfeuer

      Well, you can always “sideload” drivers if the snapdragon is compatible which I believe it is.

  • kool

    I think occulus doesn’t want the go to compete with the rift right now, but that’s short sighted if true. I hope they have some kind of streaming option planned if they don’t want AMDs app because this eliminates alot of the problems that keeps casual people on the fence about VR.

  • Possibly Oculus want to control what you play on their device, keeping it to their own approved software from the Oculus Store and not just anything you can run on a PC like Steam games. Any walled garden BS would certainly make the HMD less appealing to PC owners, myself included.

  • What a pity

  • kakek

    I’m really not sure this is a good idea anyway.

    Very low latency between the computer and de headset is a key point of convincing VR. It might not be obvious immediately, but it’s one of the thing that subtly makes the experience confortable or not. Like having 60 or 90 fps.

  • Alina
  • OkinKun

    That’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard this morning.. “it does not comply with the requirements of the Oculus Store and therefore will not support Oculus devices.” That’s their bullshit excuse for not supporting it??? If that’s the only reason, are they stupid or something? They could probably just talk to Oculus to make an exception to their store.
    Whatever, this won’t stop us from finding other alternatives.. If they don’t wanna do it, someone else will.