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Guide

AR support by browser

There are three ways to open AR on the web, and browsers do not open the same ones. Checked again on 2 October 2026.

In short

Three ways to open AR on the web

The first is WebXR. The browser opens the device's own AR mode. Reading the room and working out the pose is done by the device, which makes it accurate and light.

The second is reading the camera feed in the page. The browser hands over the camera image and the page looks for a marker or a face in it. This runs even without AR support in the device, but the page does the work, so it uses more battery and runs hotter.

The third is handing the model to the system AR viewer. The page passes a 3D file and the operating system does the rest. An iPhone is handed a USDZ file, and Android a GLB.

Support

What opens where

Checked against MDN browser compatibility data and each browser's own documentation again on 2 October 2026.

BrowserWebXRCamera in the pageSystem AR viewer
Chrome on AndroidWebXRYesCamera in the pageYesSystem AR viewerYes (GLB)
Samsung InternetWebXRYesCamera in the pageYesSystem AR viewerYes (GLB)
Safari on iOSWebXRNoCamera in the pageYesSystem AR viewerYes (USDZ)
Chrome and Edge on desktopWebXRNoCamera in the pageYes (webcam)System AR viewerNo
FirefoxWebXRNoCamera in the pageYesSystem AR viewerNo

Yes means the browser opens that way. Standing an object in a real room over WebXR or the system AR viewer also needs AR support in the device itself, and there is a separate list of supported devices. On Android, standing an object on the floor uses Google Play Services for AR. Most devices have it preinstalled, and if it is missing or out of date, the browser asks to install or update it.

Sources: MDN WebXR Device API, MDN getUserMedia(), Apple AR Quick Look, Google Scene Viewer, Google Play Services for AR supported devices

In practice

One way alone leaves some visitors out

You do not get to choose the browser. Build it to try the ways in order.

  • Go through WebXR when it opens, and hand the model to the system AR viewer when it does not. Keep a plain 3D view for when neither works.
  • Put a USDZ link alongside for iPhone. On an iPhone, standing the object in a real room only opens that way.
  • Browsers that open inside a messaging app do not open WebXR. Fall back to the camera in the page or the system AR viewer, and add a note about opening a normal browser when WebXR is a must.
  • Browsers move. The table above is as of 2 October 2026, and it is worth checking again before anything important rides on it.

Common questions

When will WebXR work on iPhone?

As of October 2026 Safari on iOS does not support WebXR, and no date has been announced. So an iPhone is served by the two other ways, reading the camera in the page and the system AR viewer.

Does AR work on a desktop?

Reading a marker or a face through a webcam runs fine. Standing an object in a real room needs AR support in the device, which an ordinary computer does not have.

Read next

What WebAR is

Augmented reality opened in a browser with no app to install. The kinds, and what happens after the QR code is scanned.

How GLB and USDZ differ

The format the web reads and the format the iPhone AR viewer reads, side by side.

What RAG is

How a model is made to answer from your own material, and where it falls down.

How 3D runs in a browser

WebGL and WebGPU, the order of work, and what makes it slow.

Build around what opens

Vi3w opens several kinds of AR from one address. Samples open straight in the browser.

See Vi3whello@labgl.net