Customizing an avatar in Meta Horizon It's not just a matter of aesthetics: it's the way you present yourself and communicate in virtual worlds, events, and apps in the Meta ecosystem. Many people can Create more than one look from your mobile phone or even duplicate styles using apps to create an avatar from a photo., but then you hit a wall when you try to switch between them within the viewfinder. This is where the uncertainty begins, and if you're not clear about it, it's easy to get frustrated.
One of the most repeated questions is whether there is any real way to switch between different avatars directly from the viewerUsers are reporting that in Meta Horizon worlds, when they enter their profile and tap the small bag below, only one of their two avatars is displayed, labeled "primary," while the second one is nowhere to be seen. Some also recall that a help article mentions that it can be changed in Meta Horizon, and wonder if that mention actually refers to the mobile app and not the headset. In this guide, I explain what's going on, what you can do from your mobile device, what you can and can't do in the headset, and how to troubleshoot cases where your second avatar seems to have vanished.
What does Meta Horizon currently allow for with avatars?
To understand the situation, it is useful to distinguish between the "base avatar" and the "appearances" or sets. In practice, the system handles a main avatar that synchronizes in the Meta ecosystem (Horizon, Quest, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, as applicable) and several saved looks or outfits. That "primary" label you see under your user card in Meta Horizon isn't decorative: it defines which avatar appears in VR.
From the mobile, the Editing is very flexible with AI photo editing apps: You can create different styles, save combinations of clothes, accessories and facial features and switch between appearances with easeHowever, the behavior changes within the viewer. What you typically see on your Meta Horizon profile is the "bag" or outfit with the avatar that's set as your primary avatar. If you have a second avatar or a different look, it may not appear there unless it's marked as your primary avatar.
For practical purposes, this means that the viewfinder tends to expose the main avatar and its linked outfits, not a carousel of all the avatars you've created on your phone. So, if you're working with two very different avatars, you'll notice that only one actually lives in Horizon until you change which one is the primary one from the app.
Change and manage avatars from your mobile
Complete management is made more convenient on your phone. The Meta app allows you to enter the avatar editor, adjust features, clothing, and save multiple appearances. The important thing here is that you can mark the appearance you want as primary so that it is the one the viewer recognizes in your VR worlds.
When you create a second avatar or drastically change the look of your first one, save that look and check if there's an option to designate it as your primary. This action will cause the outfit displayed when you open Meta Horizon in the viewer and tap on your profile and then on the "bag" section. active avatar that you have chosen in the appIf you skip this step, the viewer will usually continue to display the one that was previously listed as primary.
In addition to setting your primary avatar, get used to organizing your appearances as saved "sets." While the viewer doesn't always display all alternate avatars, it usually respects and syncs them. the sets associated with the main avatarThis saves you time if you like to switch between clothing styles for events, work, or leisure.
Can you switch between avatars within the viewer?
As of today, and according to what users report, within the viewer you can open your profile in Meta Horizon and tap the "bag" icon below your user card, but there you will normally see only the avatar that is marked as primary. That view acts as a limited locker, not a selector for all the avatars you've created.
This is understandably confusing, as some help documentation mentions that you can change it in Meta Horizon. In practice, that reference is usually to the mobile experience or editing the active avatar rather than a multi-selector within VR. So, if only one appears in the bag under your profile and you see the word "primary," it's not a bug: it's the way the viewer reflects which avatar is actually in use.
If you want the viewer to show the other different avatar that you created on the mobile, what you need is change which is the main one from the appAfter doing so, give it a moment to sync, restart the viewer if necessary, and when you log back into Meta Horizon, you should see the new look under your profile.
What to do if your second avatar doesn't appear in Meta Horizon
The second avatar not appearing in the viewer's "bag" is a typical symptom that it is not marked as primary or that the synchronization has not finished. The solution is usually to set the correct avatar as primary on mobile and force a refresh on the viewer.
Before you go crazy, check that the secondary avatar is actually saved as a separate appearance and that, when you select it on mobile, you can make it the primary one. Then, check that your account is the same on mobile and the viewer, because if you edit with one account and access the viewer with another, the changes will never be seen.
When you confirm the above, apply this technical hygiene sequence to ensure synchronization:
- Set the secondary avatar as primary in the Meta app and wait a few seconds.
- Restart the viewer from the power menu to clear temporary caches.
- Open Meta Horizon, go to your profile and tap the “bag” under your card to check your wardrobe.
- If it remains the same, log out and log back in in the viewer with the same account you used on your mobile.
- Check that the viewer and the app are updated to the latest version.
- Check your internet; an unstable network may delay synchronization.
Occasionally, feature rollouts happen in phases. If none of the above works and you're sure everything is configured correctly, it may be a one-time delay in the propagated from the main avatarIn that case, please try again later or contact support with screenshots of the app and the viewer.
Good practices for customizing your avatar
Beyond the technical aspects, there are aesthetic and functional criteria that should be followed. Start by defining a main avatar consistent with your digital identity: facial features, skin tone, hairstyle, and accessories that represent you. From there, create variations such as clothing sets for different occasions, while maintaining a recognizable base.
Save several outfits on your phone and name each one for quick identification: for example, "office," "event," "casual," or "sports." Although the viewer tends to use the main avatar, outfits related to that avatar allow you to change styles without redoing the work each time.
Pay attention to accessories and colors. Neutral tones work well in environments with variable lighting, while contrasting pieces help make your avatar stand out. easily identifiable in populated spaces. To edit and adjust visual details, you can use tools such as PicsArtAvoid cluttered combinations if you're going to be in meetings or presentations: visual clarity adds points.
Don't forget technical details like avatar height and space calibration. well-sized avatar and with correct proportions it improves non-verbal communication in VR, especially when the platform reproduces gestures and facial expressions.
How to organize your appearances so you don't get lost
If you're working with two very different avatars, establish a flow so you don't get confused. First, decide which one will be your main VR avatar and keep most of your sets tied to it. Second, if you need to frequently switch between two visual identities, assume reliable switching is done from the app and plan those changes before entering the viewer.
A practical strategy is to duplicate your main avatar on mobile and create a variant with major changes, but keep only one as the main one at a time. When it's time to change, promote the variant to main in the Meta app, restart the viewer to avoid cache residue and check the result in Horizon.
Quick FAQ
These are common questions that arise when trying to switch between avatars in Meta Horizon. Each point helps you fine-tune your expectations. avoid unnecessary steps.
- How many avatars can I have? In the app, you can create multiple appearances, but the viewer displays the avatar marked as primary and the outfits associated with it.
- Why do I see the “primary” label under my profile? Because that is the active avatar that the viewer will use within Meta Horizon.
- Can I switch between multiple avatars within the viewer? There's typically no multi-switch in VR; switching is handled from the app when you choose which avatar is the primary.
- My second avatar doesn't appear in the "bag"Make sure to mark it as primary on your phone and restart the headset to force a sync.
- Is the avatar shared with other Meta apps? Yes, the main avatar syncs across the ecosystem, although each app may have display nuances.
Technical checklist
Before escalating the problem, go through this checklist. In most cases, these steps will get the problem resolved. correct avatar show itself without further stories.
- You have selected the desired appearance as main in the app.
- The mobile account and the viewer account are the same.
- You have restarted the viewer after changing the main one.
- You have the last version of the app and the viewer system.
- The network connection is stable and without drops.
- You have checked the profile in Meta Horizon by tapping the "bag" under your user card.
Extra tips for a frictionless flow
If you often switch between visual identities, create a reminder: before putting on the headset, open the app, set the avatar you want as main and wait a few seconds. This way, you'll avoid juggling once you're in VR.
Keep a sober, professional default outfit tied to your main avatar for formal meetings or gatherings. Then add themed outfits for leisure or events. That way, even if the viewfinder displays the main avatar, you can change your style in seconds without touching your basic features.
If you notice strange behavior after a system update, delete temporary data and restart. Often, it's not that the avatar doesn't exist, but that the viewer retains it. outdated cacheAnd if you participate in betas, be aware that there may be temporary changes in how appearances are displayed.
The key to managing avatars well in Meta Horizon is to understand the hierarchy: on mobile you can create and curate multiple appearances, but the visor prioritizes the avatar marked as primary and the sets associated with it. If your second avatar doesn't appear in the "bag" under your profile, it's usually not an error, but rather a matter of timing and selecting the primary one.
Manage changes from the app, reset the viewer when appropriate, and organize your outfits wisely; with this flow, switching styles and maintaining your digital identity just the way you like it becomes a headache. Share this tutorial and help more people customize their avatar in Meta Horizon.