Changing the Avatar SDK in a VRChat Unity project usually means one of a few things. Maybe your SDK is old. Maybe the VRChat SDK tab is missing. Maybe you created a world project by mistake, but you actually want to upload an avatar. Or maybe you downloaded an old avatar package and Unity is now full of errors.
For most current VRChat avatar projects, the safest way to update the SDK is through VRChat Creator Companion (VCC). VRChat says Creator Companion is the easiest way to get started because it installs Unity and the VRChat SDK for you.
This guide explains how to update the VRChat Avatar SDK in Unity without degrading the project. We’ll cover VCC, Avatar SDK vs World SDK, old SDK projects, missing SDK tabs, and when it is better to make a fresh Unity project.
Quick Answer: Best Way to Change VRChat Avatar SDK
The best way to change the Avatar SDK in a VRChat Unity project is to close Unity, open the project in VRChat Creator Companion, go to the project’s package settings, and then add or update the VRChat Avatars SDK package. After that, reopen the project in Unity and check the VRChat SDK menu.
If your project is very old or was made with the old.unitypackage SDK method, it may need migration. If the project is already broken with many errors, a new clean avatar project is sometimes faster than trying to repair the old one.
Why You May Need to Change the VRChat Avatar SDK
Changing the SDK usually means you are fixing the project setup, not changing the avatar model itself. The SDK is the VRChat toolset inside Unity that lets you build, check, and upload avatars. If the wrong SDK is installed, or the SDK is too old, Unity may not show the right upload tools.
Common reasons include:
- The project has an outdated VRChat SDK.
- The project was made as a World project instead of an Avatar project.
- The VRChat SDK menu is missing in Unity.
- The project was created with an old legacy SDK.
- The Unity version does not match the current VRChat setup.
- Old SDK files were imported over a VCC project.
- Console errors are stopping the SDK from loading.
VRChat currently lists Unity 2022.3.22f1 as the Unity version used by VRChat, and it says Creator Companion is the simplest way to install the latest Unity version. So if you are on an old Unity 2019 project, that may also be part of the problem.
Before You Change the SDK: Back Up the Project
Before touching SDK packages, make a backup of your Unity project. Seriously, do this first. Avatar projects can have custom shaders, materials, animations, PhysBones, expressions, menus, and small setup details that are annoying to rebuild.
Copy the full Unity project folder to another place before making changes. You do not always need to copy the Library folder because Unity can rebuild it, but copying the whole project is easier for beginners. VRChat’s own Unity upgrade guidance also tells users to copy or back up a project before migrating.
At minimum, make sure you keep:
- Assets folder
- Packages folder
- ProjectSettings folder
- Your avatar model and textures
- Any custom shaders or dependencies
- Your avatar controller, menus, and parameters
If something breaks after the SDK change, you can go back to the backup instead of trying to undo everything by hand.
Method 1: Change or Update Avatar SDK Using VRChat Creator Companion
This is the main method for most users. If your project was created with VCC, do not import random SDK.unitypackage files manually. Use VCC and let it manage the packages.
Follow this flow:
- Close Unity first. Do not change SDK packages while Unity is still open.
- Open VRChat Creator Companion.
- Select your avatar project from the project list.
- Open the project’s package or the manage packages screen.
- Find VRChat Avatars SDK.
- Add it if it is missing, or update it if an update is available.
- Reopen the project in Unity from VCC.
- Check if the VRChat SDK menu appears at the top of Unity.
This method is cleaner because VCC uses VRChat’s package system. VRChat’s getting started page says VCC can create new Worlds or Avatar projects and open them with Unity, which is the normal workflow now.
After Unity opens, give it time to import packages. Do not click around too much while it is compiling. If there are console errors, fix those before trying to upload the avatar.
Method 2: Switch from World SDK to Avatar SDK
Sometimes people create the wrong type of project. This happens a lot. You wanted an avatar project, but you made a world project. Then the SDK tools do not look right, or the upload panel does not show avatar options.
Here is the simple difference:
| SDK Type | Used For | Common Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar SDK | Uploading VRChat avatars | Avatar descriptor, Builder tab for avatar upload |
| World SDK | Creating VRChat worlds | Udon, world objects, world upload tools |
World SDK is not for uploading avatars. Avatar SDK is not for building worlds. They are both VRChat SDKs, but they are made for different project types.
If your project is still new, the best fix is usually to create a new Avatar project in VCC and import your avatar assets there. Trying to force a messy world project into an avatar project can waste more time than starting clean.
If you have already done a lot of work on the project, back it up first. Then you can try removing the wrong package and adding the Avatars SDK through VCC. But for beginners, a fresh avatar project is often safer.
Method 3: Migrate an Old Legacy SDK Project
Older VRChat projects may have been made with SDK files imported directly into Unity. You may see old VRCSDK folders in Assets, or the project may have been created before VCC became the standard method.
VRChat has older SDK update guidance for SDK3 Avatars, including backing up the project and, in some cases, importing the new SDK over the old one. It also gives a separate project process for difficult upgrades. But for most newer creators, VCC/VPM migration is cleaner than manually mixing SDK files.
A safe migration flow looks like this:
- Back up the old project first.
- Open VCC and see if it can manage or migrate the project.
- Update the project to the supported Unity version if needed.
- Remove old duplicate SDK files only if you know what they are.
- Add the current VRChat Avatars SDK through VCC.
- Reopen Unity and check console errors.
If the old project has too many broken scripts, missing packages, or strange import errors, do not keep fighting it forever. Create a new clean avatar project and move the avatar assets instead.
Method 4: Create a New Clean Avatar Project and Reimport the Avatar
A new project sounds like extra work, but it can be the fastest fix when your current Unity project is badly broken. If the SDK tab is missing, packages are mixed, old SDK files are everywhere, and the console is full of errors, starting clean can save time.
Use this approach:
- Open VRChat Creator Companion.
- Create a new Avatar project.
- Use the current supported Unity version.
- Add the VRChat Avatars SDK through VCC.
- Import required shaders and tools first.
- Import the avatar package after dependencies.
- Check materials, PhysBones, expressions, menus, and upload settings.
- Open the VRChat SDK Control Panel and test the build.
This is especially useful when you downloaded an avatar package that was made for an older SDK. Importing dependencies first matters. If the avatar needs Poiyomi, lilToon, or other shaders, install those before importing the avatar package so materials do not break as badly.
How to Check If the Avatar SDK Changed Correctly
After changing the SDK, reopen Unity and wait for it to finish compiling. Then check if the VRChat SDK menu appears at the top of Unity.
A working avatar SDK setup should usually let you:
- Open the VRChat SDK menu.
- Open the SDK Control Panel.
- Log in to your VRChat account.
- See the Builder tab.
- Find avatar build and publish options.
- Check the console for major errors.
VRChat’s avatar creation docs say users can use Creator Companion to install Unity, install the VRChat SDK, and upload a custom avatar. The same page also notes that your VRChat account needs the required upload access, such as New User rank or higher.
So if the SDK looks fine but upload is blocked, check your VRChat account status too. Not every upload problem is an SDK problem.
Fix: VRChat SDK Not Showing After Changing SDK
If the VRChat SDK tab is still missing after changing the SDK, look at the Unity Console first. Console errors can stop Unity tools from loading correctly. One broken script can make the whole project feel broken.
Use this table to narrow it down:
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| VRChat SDK menu is missing | Check Console errors first |
| Avatar upload tools are missing | Make sure Avatar SDK is installed, not only World SDK |
| Errors after SDK update | Restart Unity and let packages reimport |
| Old VRCSDK folder still exists | Check for duplicate old SDK files |
| Project opened outside VCC | Open it from Creator Companion |
| Wrong Unity version | Check VRChat’s current supported Unity version |
| Broken avatar scripts | Remove or update old dependencies |
| VCC package not installed | Manage packages in VCC again |
Do not ignore red Console errors. If Unity has errors, fix them before trying to upload. The SDK can only work properly when the project compiles.
Common Mistakes When Changing VRChat Avatar SDK
Most SDK problems come from mixing old and new workflows. Someone imports an old SDK package into a VCC project. Then they delete random folders. Then Unity breaks harder. Yeah, it happens.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Importing old SDK.unitypackage files into a VCC project.
- Use World SDK when you need Avatar SDK.
- Deleting SDK folders without a backup.
- Ignoring Console errors.
- Using the wrong Unity version.
- Importing the avatar before the required shaders.
- Opening the project directly in Unity rather than in VCC.
- Updating the SDK while Unity is open.
The safer workflow is simple. Back up the project, use VCC, manage packages there, then reopen Unity and check errors calmly.
FAQs About Changing Avatar SDK in VRChat Unity
Can I change VRChat SDK inside Unity directly?
For modern projects, it is better to manage the SDK through VRChat Creator Companion. Unity may show packages, but VCC is the cleaner way to add or update VRChat SDK packages.
Should I use VCC to update the Avatar SDK?
Yes, for most current VRChat projects. VRChat recommends Creator Companion as the easiest way to install Unity and the SDK, and VCC keeps the project package setup cleaner.
What is the difference between Avatar SDK and World SDK?The
Avatar SDK is used for uploading avatars. The World SDK is used to create VRChat worlds. If you installed the wrong one, the upload tools may not match what you are trying to do.
Why is the VRChat SDK tab missing in Unity?
The SDK tab may be missing because the SDK package is not installed, the wrong SDK is installed, Unity has Console errors, or the project has old broken SDK files. Restart Unity after package changes and check the Console.
Can I downgrade the VRChat SDK?
You may be able to install an older package version in some cases, but it is not usually the best fix. Downgrading can create compatibility problems, especially if VRChat requires newer SDK or Unity support. Back up first if you try it.
Do I need Unity 2022 for the latest VRChat SDK?
VRChat’s current Unity version page lists 2022.3.22f1 as the current Unity version used by VRChat. If your project is still on Unity 2019, you may need to upgrade for the latest SDK workflow.
Final Thoughts
To change the Avatar SDK in VRChat Unity, use VRChat Creator Companion first. Close Unity, open the project in VCC, manage packages, add or update the VRChat Avatars SDK, then reopen Unity and check the SDK menu.
If the project uses the wrong SDK type, create a proper avatar project. If it is an old legacy project, migrate carefully. And if the project is too broken, a clean VCC avatar project may be the easiest path. What issue are you facing right now – missing SDK tab, wrong SDK type, or an old avatar project that will not upload?
