How to Set Up and Use XREAL Aura Android XR Glasses with Gemini

XREAL Aura launched on October 28, 2026 as the first wired XR glasses powered by Android XR. The transparent lenses project spatial content while you see the real world, and Gemini runs across everything in view.

This guide covers ordering, initial setup, core controls, Gemini use, laptop mirroring, and practical tips drawn from the official announcement. For earlier pre-order details, see our XREAL Aura pre-order guide.

What XREAL Aura Offers

Aura glasses weigh under 95 grams. A portable compute puck holds the battery and the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. A cable connects them. The 70-degree field of view supports multiple floating apps at once.

Android XR brings Google Play apps, including over 150 made for XR, plus Gemini. You can arrange browser, documents, and media around you. Electrochromic dimming fades the real world when you want a private screen. The lenses clear instantly when someone approaches.

Orders opened in the US, Canada, and Korea on launch day. Japan follows November 2. Launch pricing starts at $1,099 through the end of 2026. Shipments begin mid-November. Order at xreal.com/aura or Best Buy in the US.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Unbox the glasses, puck, cable, and carrying case. Choose the medium (60-66 mm) or large (66-72 mm) size if you ordered one.

2. Connect the glasses to the puck with the provided cable. Charge the puck fully before first use.

3. Power on the puck. Follow the on-screen Android XR setup. Sign in with a Google account. You must be 18 or older.

4. Adjust fit and IPD if needed. Use the physical controls: hold the upper button to launch Gemini. The red button controls dimming levels.

5. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for desktop-style work, or use the puck as a trackpad.

The system supports voice, hand gestures, keyboard, trackpad, and game controller input. Hand tracking lets you pinch to open, move, and resize windows.

Using Gemini on Aura

Gemini understands both the real world through the cameras and content on your screens. Ask it about what you see, such as places in Google Maps or steps in a document.

Share your view so Gemini can highlight relevant items in the room or on screen. It works across Android XR apps and a mirrored laptop window. For example, ask it to tidy windows or brainstorm based on visible content.

You can request help mid-task without switching apps. In games, ask for the next move. In work sessions, have it reference the document in front of you.

Laptop Mirroring and Multitasking

Plug a USB-C cable that supports video output from your laptop into Aura. The laptop screen appears as a resizable window. No extra software is required. Place it beside Android XR apps.

Open multiple windows: browser, docs, music, and the mirrored laptop. Arrange them at any size around you. Window follow mode keeps content centered when you turn your head. On the move, it tucks into a mini view at the edge of your vision.

This setup turns a hotel desk, airplane tray, or couch into a multi-monitor workspace. The private display keeps confidential work visible only to you.

Entertainment and Gaming

Open YouTube, Google TV, or other streaming apps and place the screen where it is comfortable. Dim the lenses for a private theater. Spatial view converts videos, photos, and games to 3D with a tap. Higher-resolution content is supported.

Immersive titles available at launch include Nevatars, Galapagos: the Last Eden, and the San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker. Play Android games on a larger canvas. Mirror a handheld or PC. Keep a walkthrough open beside the game. Ask Gemini for help while you play.

Google Photos will add a spatial gallery that wraps your library around you for panning through memories.

Practical Tips

• Start with a full charge. Battery life depends on use, but the puck carries the main power.
• Practice hand gestures in a well-lit space for reliable tracking.
• Use prescription inserts if you need them. XREAL supports them.
• For business deployments, check the Android Enterprise options mentioned in the launch post.
• Manage privacy by controlling camera and microphone access in settings.

Aura is designed for everyday use around the house, office, or travel because the lenses stay transparent until you dim them.

Conclusion

XREAL Aura brings Android XR and Gemini into a lightweight glasses form factor. Setup is straightforward once the puck is charged and you sign in. Multitasking with floating apps, laptop mirroring, and context-aware Gemini turns ordinary spaces into private workstations or theaters.

Orders are open now in select countries with launch pricing through year-end. Shipments start mid-November. The official Google post and XREAL site contain the latest availability details.

Sources

• Google blog: XREAL AURA: Wired XR glasses to watch, work, and play (October 28, 2026)
• XREAL product page and launch announcements