OnePlus phones are known for their smooth performance and clean interface, but did you know there are some lesser-known features hidden within the OxygenOS operating system? These features can enhance your OnePlus experience and make your phone even more useful. Here are five of them, along with personal commentary and analysis.
Home Screen App and Folder Resizing
One of the most underrated features of OxygenOS is the ability to resize apps and folders on the home screen. This allows for a more dynamic and personalized layout, which can make your phone feel more like your own. Personally, I think this is a great way to customize your phone and make it feel more intuitive. What makes this feature particularly fascinating is how it allows you to create a more efficient and personalized home screen, which can save you time and effort. In my opinion, this is a feature that should be more widely known and used.
To resize a folder, simply hold down on it and press the grab handle that appears in the corner. Drag it up, down, left, or right to turn it into a small circle/square the size of a regular app icon, a vertical or horizontal pill, or the standard large square. If you do go with the large square, you can change how the apps inside the folder look. Long-press the folder again to open the folders menu and select one of the little box icons at the top. The first option sets all the apps to the same size, the second enlarges the first three apps and shrinks the rest, and the third keeps one app significantly bigger.
AI Search in the Settings
Another hidden feature of OxygenOS is the AI Search function in the Settings app. This feature uses AI to help you quickly find the settings you need, which can save you a lot of time and effort. What many people don't realize is that this feature is actually quite powerful and can make your phone feel more like a smart assistant. In my opinion, this is a great way to make your phone more intuitive and efficient.
To use this feature, simply go into the Settings app and describe what the setting you're looking for does. For instance, if you want to turn on Motion Cues, try typing in 'vehicle motion sickness' and tap on 'Find more with AI Search'. The phone then pulls up all the settings relevant to your search query. The top three results are displayed first, but you can also go to 'All results' to check all the relevant settings. Then, simply tap on the setting you want, and you'll be redirected to that page.
Screen-off Gestures
Screen-off gestures are a great way to control your phone without having to unlock it. This feature allows you to perform actions like unlocking the phone, opening apps, and controlling music by drawing on the screen. Personally, I think this is a great way to make your phone more interactive and fun. What makes this feature particularly fascinating is how it allows you to control your phone without having to touch the screen, which can be useful in certain situations.
One of these screen-off gestures is double-tap to turn on/off the screen, which you might already be familiar with. The rest of the supported gestures are designed for opening apps and controlling music. For example, you can draw an O to launch the camera and a V to switch on/off the flashlight. Gestures like an inverted V, M, and W also work. By default, the inverted V opens Calculator, M opens Gemini, and W opens Recorder. But you're free to change which apps these three gestures open, or set them as the gesture to unlock the phone or call someone.
Dark Mode Adjustment Options
Dark Mode is a great way to reduce eye strain, but it can sometimes be too dark for some people. Fortunately, OnePlus has a hidden feature that allows you to adjust the darkness of the screen to your liking. Personally, I think this is a great way to make Dark Mode more customizable and accessible. What makes this feature particularly fascinating is how it allows you to find the perfect balance of darkness for your eyes.
To adjust the darkness of the screen, simply go to the Settings app, open 'Display & brightness', tap on 'Dark mode' to turn it on, and select 'Dark mode settings'. Under 'Style', choose your preferred darkness level. From the Dark Mode settings, you can also find an option to dim the wallpaper with Dark Mode. If you have some apps with no built-in Dark Mode toggle, there's a setting for that as well.
Speaker Cleaner
Finally, the Speaker Cleaner tool is a great way to keep your OnePlus phone in good working order. This feature produces a sound loud enough to make your phone vibrate and eventually expel liquid and dust out of the speaker holes. Personally, I think this is a great way to keep your phone in good condition and avoid any potential issues. What makes this feature particularly fascinating is how it allows you to keep your phone in good working order without having to take it to a service center.
To access the Speaker Cleaner on your OnePlus phone, open the Phone Manager app. In the Tools section, click on 'More' and scroll down to 'Accessibility & convenience'. You can then select 'Speaker cleaner'. For even quicker access, you can add the speaker cleaner tool to your Quick Settings panel. Once the tool is open, just hit 'Start' and hold your device upright. You can opt to set the volume to the highest level to get optimal results.
