HTC VIVE FLOW User manual

User Guide

Contents
Getting started
VIVE Flow features 5
What's inside the box? 6
About VIVE Flow 6
Connecting to a power source 8
Putting on VIVE Flow 9
Adjusting the diopter dial 9
About the phone controller 11
About the VR controller 13
Setting up VIVE Flow using the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app 14
Setting up VIVE Flow using the VR controller 16
Signing in with your HTC account 16
Downloading free titles on VIVE Flow 17
Getting titles from VIVEPORT VR 17
Getting the most out of your VR glasses
Connecting to a Wi-Fi network 19
Changing boundary size 20
Turning on Eye comfort mode 20
Changing preferred way to hold phone or VR controller 20
Hand tracking 21
Turning on Passenger mode 22
Mirroring your phone on VIVE Flow 23
Taking screenshots and screen recordings 25
Copying screenshots and screen recordings to your computer 25
Copying files from your computer to VIVE Flow 26
Browsing files on a USB drive 26
Playing videos from local storage 28
Casting your screen 29
Seeing real surroundings (Passthrough) 29
Pairing VIVE Flow with another phone 29
Switching between paired phones or VR controller 30
Setting up holoride on VIVE Flow 31
Switching to holoride mode 31
Pairing Bluetooth devices 31
Setting up and using Kiosk mode 32
Uninstalling apps 32
Installing system and firmware updates 33
About cleaning and disinfecting VIVE Flow 33
VIVE app and VIVE Flow app
What is the VIVE app and VIVE Flow app? 35
What phones do the VIVE app and VIVE Flow app support, and how do I get it? 35
What languages do the VIVE app and VIVE Flow app support? 36
Managing phone notifications 36
Installing system and firmware updates from the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app 36
Uninstalling the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app 36
2 Contents

Common solutions
General 37
System 40
Hardware 44
Apps and content 47
Trademarks and copyrights
Index
3 Contents

About this guide
We use the following symbols to indicate useful and important information:
This is a note. It provides detailed information for setup, common questions, and what to do in
specific situations.
This is a tip. It will give you an alternative way to do a particular step or procedure that you may
find helpful.
This indicates important information that you need in order to accomplish a certain task or to
get a feature to work properly.
This is a warning. Take note to avoid potential problems or prevent damage to your hardware.
Information contained in this guide may have changed. For the most up-to-date information,
including the latest version of this guide, go to VIVE Support.
Before using the product, carefully review VIVE safety information and follow all product safety
and operating instructions on https://www.vive.com/legal/.
4 About this guide

Getting started
VIVE Flow features
Lightweight and comfortable
The easy-to-wear VR glasses made for wellness and mindful productivity. Compact and
lightweight, VIVE Flow goes where you go. Check out how to put on VIVE Flow in Putting on VIVE
Flow on page 9.
Use your phone or VR controller
Use your phone or VR controller to interact in VR. Connect your Android™phone to VIVE Flow to
get phone notifications while in VR.
§Check out Setting up VIVE Flow using the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app on page 14 to learn
how to set up VIVE Flow using the VIVE app on an Android phone or VIVE Flow app on an
iPhone.
§Go to Setting up VIVE Flow using the VR controller on page 16 to learn how to set up
VIVE Flow using the VR controller.
Clear and warm view
VIVE Flow comes with adjustable diopter lenses so you can get a sharp and clear view. Using
VIVE Flow close to bedtime is also not a problem with Eye comfort mode.
§Go to Adjusting the diopter dial on page 9 to learn how to adjust the dials.
§Learn how to turn on eye comfort mode by going to Turning on Eye comfort mode on page
20.
Phone mirroring
Mirror your Android phone on VIVE Flow to enjoy phone apps on your own personal large screen.
§Learn how to mirror your Android phone in VR by going to Mirroring your phone on VIVE
Flow on page 23.
§Check the list of recommended Android phones for phone mirroring on https://
www.vive.com/vive-flow-phone-list/.
VIVE app and VIVE Flow app
Use the app to set up, configure Wi-Fi and language, perform system updates, and more for your
VIVE Flow.
5 Getting started

Learn more about the VIVE app and VIVE Flow app in What is the VIVE app and VIVE Flow app?
on page 35.
What's inside the box?
Your VIVE Flow comes with the following items, which you'll use to experience immersive VR
environments:
§VIVE Flow VR glasses
§Face cushion (attached)
§Nose rest (used only when adjusting the diopter dial)
§USB Type-C®cable
§Microfiber pouch
About VIVE Flow
VIVE Flow is your window to the VR environment. The VIVE Flow cameras track the position of the
VR glasses.
Front view
1. Headset button
2. LED (Status light)
3. Vent (Don't block or insert objects into it)
4. Temple pads (Removable)
5. Face cushion
6. Volume down button
6 Getting started

7. Volume up button
8. Device cameras
Inside view
1. Speakers
2. Proximity sensor
3. Vent (Don't block or insert objects into it)
4. USB Type-C receptacle cable
5. Diopter dials
7 Getting started

Connecting to a power source
VIVE Flow automatically turns on when plugged in to any power source such as a power bank.
Not all power banks or phones can provide enough power to VIVE Flow. VIVE Flow requires a
power source that delivers at least 7.5W of power. If you see an "Insufficient power supply"
message in VIVE Flow, connect the VR glasses to another power bank or to a power outlet
using an AC adapter. There's no need to press the Headset or Volume buttons after
connecting to a new power source.
1. Grab the USB Type-C cable from the box and connect one end to the USB Type-C
receptacle cable on VIVE Flow.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to a power source such as a power bank, power outlet,
or your phone.
If connecting to a power bank, make sure to connect the USB Type-C cable to the output port
of the power bank.
The LED indicator in front will light up when VIVE Flow turns on. After a few seconds, the
LED indicator will turn off.
To turn off VIVE Flow, unplug it from the power source.
8 Getting started

Putting on VIVE Flow
Open the frame of VIVE Flow, and then wear it as you would regular glasses.
§Before wearing VIVE Flow, connect it to a power source. See Connecting to a power source
on page 8.
§If you wear glasses, remove them first before putting on VIVE Flow.
§It is strongly recommended to take regular breaks. Stop using VIVE Flow if you feel any
discomfort.
If VIVE Flow keeps slipping down your nose while using it, adjust the fit of the face cushion.
Remove the face cushion, and then squeeze the middle part of the face cushion, below the 2
plastic tabs, for a tighter fit.
Do not squeeze the 2 plastic tabs as it may damage the face cushion.
Adjusting the diopter dial
You can adjust the diopter dial even after setting up VIVE Flow. This is useful when sharing your
VR glasses with friends or family so they can adjust it to get a clear and sharp view.
1. If you're currently running an app, tap/press the VIVE button on the controller, and then
select Back to Home.
9 Getting started

2. Select Library Tutorial Diopter adjustment.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to adjust the diopter dial to get a clear view.
Do not attach the face cushion when adjusting the diopter dial. You only need to attach the
nose rest.
When you've finished the steps, you'll be taken back to Home.
Remember to remove the nose rest and re-attach the face cushion when you're done.
10 Getting started

About the phone controller
Use your Android phone or iPhone to interact in VR.
§You need to use the phone that you paired with your VIVE Flow, and make sure your phone
and VIVE Flow are connected via Bluetooth®.
§Make sure the phone screen is unlocked.
§You can also use the VR controller or hand gestures to interact in VR. See About the VR
controller on page 13 or Hand tracking on page 21 for details.
Phone controller interface
1. VIVE Opens the VIVE menu where you can access shortcuts.
2. Trigger Depending on the app, this can either be used as a
trigger or to select/drag items. Tap to select items or tap and
hold, and then move the phone to drag items.
3. Menu Opens the app menu.
4. Select Depending on the app, tap to select items or tap and
hold, and then move the phone to drag items.
§In VR, look down on your hand holding the phone to see the controller layout. You can also
see visual feedback when you tap the phone screen.
§To close the currently running app and go back to Home, open the VIVE menu, aim the beam
on the Home image, and then select Back to Home.
11 Getting started

Touch gestures
§Aim your phone forward and hold it parallel to the floor, and then tap and hold the screen
with two fingers for two seconds to recenter the beam. Do this if the beam orientation is off
or you can't see the beam in VR.
§Swipe vertically or horizontally to go through screens.
Disable the phone controller
The phone controller is automatically disabled when you take off VIVE Flow. If you need to use
your phone while using VIVE Flow, disable the phone controller. To disable the phone controller:
§On an Android phone, swipe down from the top of the phone screen.
The phone screen is dimmed when the phone controller is enabled.
§On an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Enable the phone controller
To enable the controller again:
12 Getting started

§On an Android phone, swipe down to open the Notifications panel, and then tap Phone
controller disabled: Tap here to enable.
§On an iPhone, do one of the following:
§If the VIVE Flow app is the active app, just put on VIVE Flow.
§If the VIVE Flow app is not the active app, tap it in the App Switcher.
About the VR controller
Use the VR controller to interact with objects in VR.
If you don't have the VR controller, you can use your phone as a controller. See About the
phone controller on page 11 for details.
2
1
4
5
37
8
6
1Trackpad
2App button
3VIVE button
4Status light
5Volume control
6Trigger
13 Getting started

7Battery compartment
8Lanyard hole
For more information on how to use the VR controller, check the Quick Start Guide in the VR
controller box.
Setting up VIVE Flow using the VIVE app or VIVE Flow
app
Set up VIVE Flow using your phone with the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app. You'll start setting up
VIVE Flow on your phone and then finish setting up on the VR glasses.
1. On your phone, download and install the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app.
§On an Android phone, get it from https://www.vive.com/setup/flow or search VIVE
on the Google Play Store.
§On an iPhone, search VIVE Flow on the App Store.
If you're using an iPhone, make sure the VIVE Flow software supports connecting to an
iPhone. See Why can't VIVE Flow connect to my iPhone? on page 47.
2. Depending on your phone, open the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app.
3. In the Welcome screen, tap VIVE Flow.
If you're using an iPhone, skip to step 4.
14 Getting started

4. Tap Start. The app will walk you through in setting up the following:
5. Follow the instructions on your phone and VR glasses to set up VIVE Flow. Some things to
take note while setting up:
§Keep both VIVE Flow and your phone nearby.
§When the phone is trying to pair with VIVE Flow, it may take around 20 seconds or
more for the phone to find VIVE Flow. Please be patient.
§While pairing VIVE Flow with the phone, if the device name on VIVE Flow is different
from the one on the phone, tap Show more. Look for your VIVE Flow in the list.
§The VIVE app needs phone permissions for you to enjoy the full features of the VR
glasses. In the step where you're asked to grant permissons, after tapping Grant in
each box, you'll be guided on what to turn on. After granting permission, tap the back
arrow until you get back to the VIVE app.
Granting permissions is only for Android phones.
§When using a phone controller, VIVE Flow can only connect to a Wi-Fi®network that
supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/n (5 GHz band). Make sure your Wi-Fi router or phone's
Wi-Fi hotspot is set to the 5 GHz band. To learn how to set your phone's Wi-Fi
hotspot to 5 GHz, see Why can't VIVE Flow find my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot? on
page 37. To learn how to set your Wi-Fi router to the 5 GHz band, consult its user
guide.
§When going through the setup process on VIVE Flow, take note of the position of the
Headset button as you'll need to press it to go to the next step. See About VIVE Flow
on page 6.
If you have trouble pairing VIVE Flow with your phone, make sure VIVE Flow is connected to a
power source and near your phone.
15 Getting started

Setting up VIVE Flow using the VR controller
You can use the VR controller to set up VIVE Flow.
If you don't have the VR controller, check the VIVE accessories website in your region and see
if the VR controller is available.
Make sure you've inserted the batteries into the VR controller before setting up VIVE Flow.
1. Connect VIVE Flow to a power source. See Connecting to a power source on page 8.
2. Put on VIVE Flow, and then press and hold the Headset button until the progress bar is
full. See About VIVE Flow on page 6 to see the location of the Headset button.
3. Move your head and point the beam toward the language you want to use.
4. Go through the hardware tutorial. When you reach the Select setup method step, select
General setup.
5. Follow the instructions on VIVE Flow. Make sure you can easily reach for the VR controller
as you need to use it while setting up VIVE Flow.
Signing in with your HTC account
Sign in for the best experience and support. The best way to sign in is with the VIVE app, but you
can also sign in while in VR.
If you don't have an HTC account, we recommend creating one first on your computer. On
your web browser, go to http://www.viveport.com/, and then click Sign In at the top-right
corner.
1. From Home, select Profile.
2. Type your user name and password, and then select Sign in.
16 Getting started

Downloading free titles on VIVE Flow
There may be some free titles available for download on your VIVE Flow.
1. To check if there are free titles, select Library from Home.
2. Select Not Installed.
3. Select a free title to download and install it.
4. To switch back to the installed titles in the VR Library, select Installed.
Getting titles from VIVEPORT VR
VIVEPORT™VR offers a convenient way for users to access new titles and other content.
Before purchasing, you can browse through titles in VIVEPORT VR from your VR glasses.
17 Getting started

Access VIVEPORT VR by selecting Store from Home.
18 Getting started

Getting the most out of your VR
glasses
Connecting to a Wi-Fi network
It's easy to connect to Wi-Fi using the VIVE app or during the setup process, but you can also add
or change networks from Settings.
When using a phone controller with VIVE Flow, VIVE Flow can only connect to a Wi-Fi network
that supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/n (5 GHz band). Make sure your Wi-Fi router or phone's Wi-Fi
hotspot is set to the 5 GHz band. To learn how to set your phone's Wi-Fi hotspot to 5 GHz, see
Why can't VIVE Flow find my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot? on page 37. To learn how to set your
Wi-Fi router to the 5 GHz band, consult its user guide.
1. If you're currently running an app, tap/press the VIVE button on the controller, and then
select Back to Home.
2. From Home, select Settings.
3. In Connectivity, select Wi-Fi.
4. Choose a Wi-Fi network to add from the list. If your network is hidden, add it manually by
selecting Add Network at the bottom of the list.
5. If this is the first time you've connected to this network, enter your network information.
§For some public Wi-Fi networks, such as the ones in hotels or airports, you'll need to open a
web browser to log in to connect to the Wi-Fi network. In VR, open VIVE Browser, and then go
to any website. VIVE Browser will redirect you to the log in page where you can enter the
required credentials to connect.
§You can also use the VIVE app or VIVE Flow app to set up Wi-Fi for VIVE Flow. In the app, tap
your VIVE Flow under Headset, and then tap Headset Wi-Fi.
19 Getting the most out of your VR glasses

Changing boundary size
The boundary system automatically activates when you're close to the edge of your play area to
help keep you safe. If you have a lot more open space for your play area, you can change the
boundary size.
1. If you're currently running an app, tap/press the VIVE button on the controller, and then
select Back to Home.
2. From Home, select Settings.
3. In Boundary, select the size you want in Boundary size.
Turning on Eye comfort mode
Reduce digital eye strain by turning on Eye comfort mode while using VIVE Flow. When using
VIVE Flow at night, turning on Eye comfort mode may also help you sleep better.
1. If you're currently running an app, tap/press the VIVE button on the controller, and then
select Back to Home.
2. From Home, select Settings.
3. Select General, and then select the Eye comfort mode On/Off switch to turn it on.
4. Drag the Intensity slider to the level you want.
Changing preferred way to hold phone or VR controller
Changing the preferred way to hold your phone controller or VR controller changes the angle of
the beam emitted from the controller.
1. If you're currently running an app, tap/press the VIVE button on the controller, and then
select Back to Home.
2. From Home, select Settings.
3. In Controller, choose how you want to hold your phone or VR controller.
20 Getting the most out of your VR glasses