Where are the Missing Preview Packages in Unity 2020?

Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash

Unity 2020 has its fair share of surprises.

With the release of version 2020.1.0f1, Unity has introduced an upgraded Package Manager. Among other improvements, it replaces the Asset Store window, which — let’s face it — was kind of slow and cumbersome.

However, this release came with an unpleasant surprise for those of us who enjoy playing around with the engine’s upcoming features. If you’re like me, you love learning and experimenting with Unity’s preview packages. Only now, in Unity 2020, some of the most anticipated preview packages are conspicuously absent from the Package Manager.

Unity has not been coy about promoting features like the Data Oriented Technology Stack (DOTS), urging users at every opportunity to try it out.

A Unity DOTS infomercial

Testing these new features requires installing preview packages like Entities, the Hybrid Renderer, and others. In Unity 2020, however, even after turning on “Show Preview Packages” in the Package Manger settings, these packages and others such as AI Planner have vanished.

So what happened to the Preview Packages?

It turns out that Unity adopted a new policy. They now exclude packages from the Package Manager that they expect are further away from their verified release windows. That’s not a welcome implication for a timely launch of those DOTS features! You can see Unity’s full reasoning for this change here.

How do you get the Preview Packages back in Unity 2020?

One solution is to tinker with your json file for your project manifest — to which I say, no thanks!

Here’s the easiest way to regain access to those missing packages:

• Go to Window -> Package Manager
• Click the drop-down menu (plus icon) on the top left of the window, and select add package from git URL…

Add package from git URL…

• A small window will pop up, where you can type in the address of the package.
• Note: I have included a full list of the missing package addresses below.

Typing in the package address.

As the response from the Unity editor is not visibly immediate, your patience is required. After a few seconds, however, the editor should display a loading window. Once it's done, the package should be in your project and listed in the Package Manager.

Yes!!!

Finally, while the preview packages you add manually will show up in the Package Manager, the packages that Unity still considers directly accessible are still hidden. Here are two ways to view all the preview packages in the Package Manager:

1. Edit -> Project Settings -> Package Manager
2. Click on the little cog in the upper right of the Package Manager window, and select Advanced Project Settings.

Once there, check Enable Preview Packages and show off your blatant disregard for Unity’s warnings. I also like to click Show Dependencies, since it's helpful to see how all the parts of the Unity Engine fit together.

Click on Enable Preview Packages. For extra fun, also check Show Dependencies.

Although you will likel befriend many bugs, it’s never too early to get a head start on the future of Unity!

Addresses of the Lost Packages:

com.ptc.vuforia.engine
com.unity.2d.entities
com.unity.ai.planner
com.unity.aovrecorder
com.unity.assetbundlebrowser
com.unity.assetgraph
com.unity.barracuda
com.unity.barracuda.burst
com.unity.build-report-inspector
com.unity.cloud.userreporting
com.unity.collections
com.unity.connect.share
com.unity.dots.editor
com.unity.entities
com.unity.film-tv.toolbox
com.unity.google.resonance.audio
com.unity.immediate-window
com.unity.mathematics
com.unity.meshsync
com.unity.multiplayer-hlapi
com.unity.package-manager-doctools
com.unity.package-manager-ui
com.unity.package-validation-suite
com.unity.physics
com.unity.platforms
com.unity.platforms.android
com.unity.platforms.linux
com.unity.platforms.macos
com.unity.platforms.web
com.unity.platforms.windows
com.unity.playablegraph-visualizer
com.unity.render-pipelines.lightweight
com.unity.rendering.hybrid
com.unity.renderstreaming
com.unity.scene-template
com.unity.simulation.client
com.unity.simulation.core
com.unity.simulation.capture
com.unity.simulation.games
com.unity.standardevents
com.unity.streaming-image-sequence
com.unity.test-framework.performance
com.unity.tiny.all
com.unity.transport
com.unity.upm.develop
com.unity.vectorgraphics
com.unity.webrtc
com.unity.xr.googlevr.android
com.unity.xr.googlevr.ios
com.unity.xr.legacyinputhelpers
com.unity.xr.oculus.android
com.unity.xr.oculus.standalone
com.unity.xr.openvr.standalone
com.unity.xr.arsubsystems
com.unity.xr.interactionsubsystems
com.unity.xr.windowsmr.metro