Phasmophobia is already one of the most atmospheric and tense horror games available. Playing it in virtual reality takes the fear and immersion to a whole new level.
Thanks to native VR support, you can step directly into the role of a ghost hunter without the need for complicated mods or unofficial patches. All you need is the right headset, a capable PC, and a few simple settings adjustments.
In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know to set up Phasmophobia in VR, optimize your experience, and survive your first paranormal investigations.
Follow the steps and watch your back.
1. Equipment and Requirements
Before you can hunt ghosts in full immersion, it’s essential to ensure you have the proper setup. Playing Phasmophobia in VR demands more resources than standard gaming, and a good configuration is key for a smooth and comfortable experience.
A Compatible VR Headset
To play Phasmophobia in VR, you need a PC VR headset. The game runs through SteamVR, meaning most mainstream headsets are compatible. Here are the main supported devices:
- Meta Quest 2 / Quest 3 (using Oculus Link cable or Air Link wireless connection)
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive / Vive Pro
- Windows Mixed Reality headsets
Standalone headsets like the Quest 2 require a PC connection either through a USB-C cable or via Wi-Fi. If using Air Link, a strong 5GHz network is highly recommended for stable performance.
A VR-Ready PC
VR gaming is significantly more demanding than traditional play. To fully enjoy Phasmophobia in VR without frame drops or stuttering, a powerful machine is necessary.
Here’s the recommended configuration:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or higher
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti / RTX 2060 minimum (RTX 3060+ recommended)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: SSD highly recommended for faster load times
- Operating System: Windows 10 or 11
A weaker setup may technically launch the game, but at the cost of immersion, visual quality, and physical comfort (risk of motion sickness increases with lower framerates).
Essential Software
In addition to the hardware, you will need the following software installed and up-to-date:
- Steam: To purchase and launch Phasmophobia.
- SteamVR: To enable VR functionality through Steam.
- Oculus App (only for Quest users): Required for PC connection via Link cable or Air Link.
Before proceeding, verify that SteamVR recognizes your headset and that all firmware and drivers are updated to avoid connection problems.
2. Connecting and Setting Up Your VR Headset
Once your equipment is ready, the next step is to correctly connect and configure your VR headset to ensure Phasmophobia recognizes it without issues. Each type of headset has a slightly different setup process. Follow the guide below depending on your device.
Setting Up Oculus Quest 2 / Quest 3
There are two ways to connect a Quest headset to your PC: via a USB-C cable (Oculus Link) or wirelessly (Air Link). Both methods require the Oculus desktop app installed on your computer.
Wired Connection (Oculus Link)
- Install the Oculus App on your PC from the official Meta website.
- Connect your Quest headset to the PC using a high-quality USB-C cable.
- Put on the headset and accept the prompt asking to enable Oculus Link.
- Launch SteamVR from within the Oculus interface to begin VR mode.
This method offers the most stable connection and consistent performance, ideal for minimizing lag during intense ghost hunts.
Wireless Connection (Air Link)
- Ensure your PC and headset are connected to the same high-speed 5GHz Wi-Fi network.
- In the Oculus App on PC, go to Settings > Beta and enable Air Link.
- On your Quest, open Settings > Experimental Features and activate Air Link.
- Pair your headset with your PC, then start SteamVR from the headset’s menu.
While slightly more prone to latency, Air Link provides complete wireless freedom, enhancing immersion if your network is strong enough.
Setting Up Other VR Headsets (Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality)
The setup for non-Oculus headsets is straightforward:
- Connect your headset to the PC following the manufacturer’s instructions (typically via DisplayPort and USB).
- Install and launch SteamVR.
- Verify device tracking: Confirm that your headset and controllers are correctly recognized in the SteamVR status window.
No additional software is needed beyond SteamVR unless specified by the headset manufacturer (such as Viveport for HTC devices).
3. Installing and Preparing Phasmophobia for VR
With your VR headset set up, it’s time to install and configure Phasmophobia for a full VR experience. Unlike GTA 5, Phasmophobia has native VR support, meaning no external mods are required. However, a few steps are still necessary to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Purchasing and Installing Phasmophobia
- Open Steam and search for Phasmophobia.
- Purchase and install the game as you would any other Steam title.
- Ensure the game is fully updated to the latest version before launching.
Phasmophobia is regularly updated, and older versions may cause compatibility issues with VR features.
Launching the Game in VR Mode
Once installed, launching Phasmophobia in VR is simple:
- Connect your VR headset and make sure SteamVR is running.
- Locate Phasmophobia in your Steam library.
- Click “Play”, and when prompted, select “Launch in VR Mode” instead of Desktop mode.
If no prompt appears, you can right-click on the game in your library, go to Properties, and set the launch options to always start in VR
4. In-Game VR Controls and Interactions
Playing Phasmophobia in VR transforms the entire gameplay experience. Movements, object interactions, and communication methods are all adapted for virtual reality, adding a layer of realism — and tension — impossible to replicate on flat screens.
Basic Movements
In VR, you control your character’s movement using the analog stick on your controller:
- Walking: Move forward, backward, and strafe using the left thumbstick.
- Turning:
- Smooth turning or snap turning can be configured based on your preference.
- Snap turning is generally recommended to reduce motion sickness.
Physical actions such as crouching are performed by actually crouching in your play space, making the experience more immersive.
Object Interaction
Ghost hunting relies heavily on using different tools, and VR interaction is tactile:
- Grab/Use Equipment:
- Reach out with your hand controllers to pick up objects.
- Depending on your settings, you can “hold” the grip button or “toggle” it for more comfort.
- Drop Objects:
- Press the grab button again or make a throwing motion if throwing is enabled.
- Using Tools:
- Flashlights turn on automatically when held.
- Items like EMF readers, Spirit Boxes, and Thermometers have buttons or triggers to activate them.
Managing your gear efficiently is crucial during ghost hunts, where every second counts.
Voice Communication
Communication with your team is vital, especially in VR where tension can cause panic.
- Local Chat (Proximity Voice):
- Always active; simply speak naturally.
- Global Chat (Walkie-Talkie):
- Bring your left hand near your ear (where the walkie-talkie is strapped).
- Hold the trigger button to speak globally to your team.
The use of the walkie-talkie in VR feels natural and adds to the realism, especially when you’re separated from your group.
Inventory Management
Phasmophobia in VR limits you to carrying a few items at a time, but the management is more hands-on:
- Shoulder Holsters:
- Place items on your body (shoulders and belt) for quick switching.
- Swapping Items:
- Reach to your holsters and grab the item you need.
Mastering this system takes a bit of practice but makes you much faster and more efficient in critical situations.
Tips for Comfort
To enhance the VR experience:
- Set Grabbing to Toggle: Reduces hand strain during long sessions.
- Adjust Controller Deadzones: Minimize unintentional movements.
- Keep Play Area Clear: Avoid obstacles to prevent accidental collisions during intense moments.
Taking the time to fine-tune these elements early will pay off with a much smoother and more immersive ghost hunting adventure.
Conclusion
Playing Phasmophobia in VR delivers a level of immersion unmatched by traditional gaming. The added realism, grabbing objects with your own hands, hearing ghost whispers in full 3D audio, and having to physically reach for your walkie-talkie, completely transforms the experience.
While the setup requires some preparation, including proper hardware, a VR-ready PC, and a few in-game adjustments, the payoff is immediate. Every investigation feels more intense, every movement more deliberate, and every encounter more terrifying.
If you enjoy horror games and own a VR headset, Phasmophobia is a must-try. The native VR support means no complex mod installation is required, making it one of the most accessible and most chilling VR multiplayer games available today.
Once everything is configured, the game becomes not just something you play, but something you live.
