Meta to close augmented reality studio used by third-party

With Meta Spark’s closure, all third-party AR effects, including filters, masks, and 3D objects created through the studio, will be removed from Meta’s platforms.

However, the company confirmed that its own AR effects will continue to be available on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.

Meta has increasingly focused on AI products and the development of the metaverse, a virtual environment that it believes will be the next evolution of mobile internet.

In a blog post, Meta said, “With the decision to shut down the Meta Spark platform, we’re also shifting resources to the next generation of experiences, across new form factors like glasses.”

The news has caused disappointment among third-party creators, many of whom took to the Meta Spark community group on Facebook to voice their concerns and seek alternatives.

One user speculated, “I wonder how many people will migrate to Snapchat Lens Studio or Unity now that Meta Spark is being sunset?”

Snap, a smaller competitor, offers Lens Studio, a free AR creation platform that allows developers to create custom AR effects.

This decision comes after Meta’s earlier announcement in May to phase out its Workplace app for external customers by June 2026, though it will continue using the app internally as a messaging board.

Meta said that while existing reels and stories featuring third-party AR effects will remain accessible, the AR effects and files within Meta Spark Studio and Meta Spark Hub will no longer be available.

(with Reuters inputs)