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Set Up XREAL AURA: First Android XR Glasses Guide

Step-by-step setup for XREAL AURA, the first wired Android XR glasses. Charge the puck, connect glasses, power on, sign in, and use Gemini.

November 7, 2026 Yum News

XREAL AURA is the first wired XR glasses powered by Android XR. Launched on October 28, 2026, it projects spatial content into your field of view through transparent lenses while you still see the real world. The glasses weigh under 95 grams. Processing and battery sit in a portable compute puck connected by cable, running the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform.

You can order it now in the U.S., Canada, and Korea, and from November 2 in Japan. Launch pricing starts at USD 1,099 through the end of the year. Shipments begin mid-November. This guide covers first-time setup based on official XREAL and Google documentation so you can start working, watching, or using Gemini right away.

Person holding eyeglasses in focus against a blurred street background

What you need before starting

AURA comes with the glasses, compute puck, glasses cable, charging cable, and nose pads. You also need a Google account (required and cannot be skipped) and a Wi-Fi network. The puck accepts up to 57W via a PD 3.0 with PPS charger.

The 70-degree field of view lets you place multiple Android apps around you. Over 150 apps made for XR are available at launch, plus the full Google Play Store. Gemini understands both the real world and your screens.

If you plan to mirror a laptop, bring a USB-C cable that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. The included charging cable carries power only.

Charge the compute puck

Charge the puck before first use.

Locate the USB-C charging cable in the box.
Connect one end to the charging port on the puck (marked with a power icon).
Connect the other end to a compatible PD/PPS charger.
Wait until the LED indicates charging is complete or sufficient. The light pulses amber below 75%, pulses green above 75%, and turns solid green when full.

You can use the device while it charges. Keep the first session under 30 minutes if you feel any dizziness.

Connect the glasses to the puck

The glasses power on only when connected to the puck or another host.

Find the glasses cable. One end is angled; the other is straight.
Insert the angled connector into the USB-C port at the back tip of the left temple. The angle lets you wear the glasses comfortably or even lie down.
Insert the straight connector into the Glasses Port on the compute puck (marked with a glasses icon).

Use only the cable from the box for the glasses-to-puck connection. Other cables can cause display, tracking, or camera issues.

Power on and run the setup wizard

Press and hold the power button on the compute puck for 2 seconds until you feel a vibration. The LED blinks white rapidly.
Put on the glasses. Peel off any protective film first. Try the included nose pads (S, M, L) until the image is sharp. Top of the screen cut off means the glasses sit too low; switch to a larger pad. Bottom cut off means try a smaller pad.
Wait for the XREAL logo and startup prompts.
Follow the on-screen wizard. It walks you through language, Wi-Fi, Google account sign-in, and basic hand-tracking gestures. Completing the full tutorial is recommended.

A Google account is mandatory for activation, Play Store access, Gemini, and cloud features. You cannot skip the sign-in step.

Person using a smartphone while wearing glasses in a modern setting

Basic controls after setup

These apply when the glasses are connected to the puck in Android XR mode.

Glasses buttons

Home (press once): open or hide the app launcher
Home (press twice): open the camera
Home (hold 0.5 seconds): activate Gemini
X (press once): cycle through five lens tint levels
X (hold 1 second): recenter the view
Home + X: take a screenshot

Hand gestures (keep hands in the tracking cameras’ field of view)

Select: pinch thumb and index finger together, then release
Drag: pinch and hold, then move your hand

You can also use the puck’s touchpad. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for desktop-style work. Press the puck’s power button to open or hide apps.

Gemini activates with a 0.5-second hold on the Home button. It can see your screens and surroundings when you grant permission, then highlight elements or answer questions about what is in front of you.

Use it as an external display

AURA works two ways with other devices.

Wired Mirroring (through the puck)

Keep the glasses connected to the puck’s Glasses Port and power the system on.
Plug a video-capable USB-C cable from your laptop, phone, or handheld into the puck’s Charging Port.
The source screen appears as a resizable window inside Android XR. Use your device’s own keyboard, mouse, or controller. The puck touchpad does not control the external device.

Glasses as a direct external display

Unplug the straight end of the glasses cable from the puck.
Keep the angled end in the glasses and plug the straight end into a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode on your source device.
The source powers the glasses. Choose mirror or extend in the source’s display settings.

No software install is required for either method. Gemini can still operate on the Android XR side when the puck is in use.

Tips for comfort and daily use

Adjust the nose pads until both the top and bottom of the virtual content are fully visible and sharp.
Dim the lenses with the X button for a more private viewing experience when watching video. They become transparent again when someone is in view.
Use window follow mode so apps stay centered as you move, or mini view at the edge when walking.
For travel, the cable design lets you use AURA on a plane or in a hotel. Keep sessions reasonable until you are used to the 70-degree field of view.
Update software from Settings > System > System update while the puck has at least 50% battery or is charging.

If the puck freezes, hold the power and volume-up buttons for 10 seconds. If you see a black screen, confirm the angled connector is in the left temple and the straight end is in the Glasses Port, and that the puck is powered on.

For developers building XR apps, the Jetpack XR SDK and Android Studio XR emulators are generally available. AURA runs the same Android XR platform that hosts Gemini and Play apps.

What you can do once set up

Open multiple apps at once—browser, documents, music—and arrange them in space. Pair a keyboard and mouse for a full desktop on a couch, desk, or airplane tray table. Stream from YouTube or Google TV, or play mobile and XR games. Spatial view turns many videos, photos, and games into 3D.

Gemini works across your screens and the real world. Ask it about maps content, highlight items in the room, or get help with a game without putting down the controller.

The same Android security architecture that protects on-device AI context also applies here. See the Android AISeal guide for how hardware isolation is expanding for personal AI data on compatible devices.

Conclusion

XREAL AURA brings Android XR into a lightweight, wired form factor you can wear for work, media, and Gemini assistance. Setup is straightforward: charge the puck, connect the supplied glasses cable, power on with a 2-second hold, and complete the Google-account wizard. From there, hand gestures, the Home button, and lens tint controls get you working or watching immediately.

Orders are open now at xreal.com/aura and Best Buy in the U.S., with mid-November shipments. Keep the first sessions short, adjust the fit with the included nose pads, and use a video-capable cable if you want to mirror a laptop. The result is a private, multi-window canvas that travels with you.