PTC is retiring Vuforia Engine Cloud Image Recognition on May 2, 2027. If your app uses a Vuforia Cloud Database to recognize product packaging, cards, posters, or book pages, now is the time to back up your target data and test a replacement. PTC says existing cloud recognition apps and databases will continue to operate until the end-of-life date, after which the cloud databases and associated services will be permanently deleted. Vuforia Cloud Image Recognition EOL notice

EasyAR CRS (Cloud Recognition Service) is an alternative to Vuforia Cloud Image Recognition. It supports custom metadata on image targets, REST API management for your cloud image library, and on-device image tracking with the EasyAR Sense SDK after a cloud match. EasyAR CRS documentation · EasyAR Sense cloud recognizer

EasyAR CRS cloud recognition performance and database capacity

Each EasyAR CRS cloud database supports up to 100,000 target images, making it suitable for apps with large image libraries, such as product catalogs, AR books, and trading cards. With a good network connection, the time from camera capture to a cloud recognition result can be under one second. With clear target images and a stable connection, recognition accuracy can reach 98%. If you’re migrating from Vuforia, validate performance with representative images and devices before moving your full library. EasyAR CRS performance and capacity documentation

Carry over your image targets and metadata

You can use your original JPG or PNG files to create targets in EasyAR CRS. If your app uses Vuforia’s application_metadata to decide what to show after a scan, you can map that data to the EasyAR meta field. For example, a target can carry a product ID, a video URL, or a JSON configuration that tells your app which 3D asset to load. Check the field requirements and verify that your app reads the migrated metadata correctly. Vuforia Cloud Targets API · EasyAR Create Image Target API

Manage your cloud image library through a REST API

If your backend uses Vuforia Web Services (VWS) to manage image targets, you can adapt that workflow to the EasyAR CRS REST API. Use it to create, query, update, and delete targets. You can start with a small test library in the EasyAR console, then connect your backend to automate updates to the production library. EasyAR CRS library management and API

Update your cloud image library without releasing a new app version

EasyAR CRS is designed for large or frequently updated image libraries, such as product catalogs, AR books, and event campaigns. Once your app is connected, you can add, replace, or deactivate image targets in the cloud without releasing a new app version for library-only changes. You can also use separate libraries for different brands, projects, or test environments, each with its own targets and access credentials. EasyAR CRS cloud recognition and library management

Recognize images in the cloud and track them on the device

EasyAR CRS matches the camera image against your cloud library. Once it returns a target, the EasyAR Sense SDK can track that image on the device so your AR content stays aligned with the physical target as the camera moves. Unity developers can try the complete workflow in the ImageTracking_CloudRecognition sample. EasyAR Sense cloud recognizer · EasyAR Unity samples

How to migrate from Vuforia Cloud Recognition to EasyAR CRS

1. Back up your target data. Gather your original images, existing target IDs, physical widths, metadata, and any links to associated AR assets.
2. Start with a representative set of targets. Create an EasyAR CRS test library and verify that your targets recognize correctly. Map your existing IDs to the new EasyAR target IDs and confirm the physical widths in centimeters.
3. Update your app and backend. Connect your app to EasyAR CRS, adapt any VWS target-management calls, and verify that each scan opens the right content. If your app uses image tracking, test recognition, tracking, and content placement together on real devices.
4. Roll out before the deadline. Leave time for testing, app review, and users to install the updated version before the Vuforia service ends.

Frequently asked questions

When does Vuforia Cloud Image Recognition shut down?
PTC lists May 2, 2027 as the end-of-life date for the Vuforia Engine Cloud Image Recognition service. After that date, its cloud image databases and associated services will be unavailable. Vuforia EOL FAQ

Can I migrate my Vuforia Cloud Database to EasyAR CRS?
You can rebuild your image target library in EasyAR CRS using your original image files and available metadata. Keep a mapping between the old and new target IDs if your app or backend uses those IDs to look up content. EasyAR target creation guide

Can I keep using my image target metadata after migration?
Yes. Store the data your app needs in the EasyAR CRS meta field and verify how your app reads it after a successful match. Common examples include content IDs, asset URLs, and JSON configuration. EasyAR image target metadata documentation

Can I use EasyAR CRS for cloud image recognition and tracking in Unity?
Yes. EasyAR CRS performs the cloud match, and the EasyAR Sense Unity Plugin can then track the matched image on the device. EasyAR Unity cloud recognition documentation

Can I update my EasyAR CRS cloud image library without releasing a new app version?

Yes. Once your app is connected, you can add, replace, or deactivate cloud image targets without releasing a new version for library-only changes

Start with a few image targets and test your scan-to-content workflow before moving your full library.

Explore EasyAR CRS · Try the Unity sample

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