Take full advantage of the capabilities and performance of your OnePlus 7 (or 7 Pro) with the help of these 20 tips and hidden features.
Rather than a single device, OnePlus launched this year a range of two devices available in several versions, the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro. They both share some specs, including a Snapdragon 855 processor or a 90Hz screen refresh rate.
Powered by Android 9, the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro benefit from an exemplary fluidity and speed provided by its OxygenOS overlay which includes many customization options, settings, and hidden functions.
1. Customize the screen unlock animation
If you have opted for unlocking using the fingerprint sensor, grafted under the screen of the device, you can, if you wish, customize the animation displayed when you put your finger on the screen.
To do this, open Settings, enter Security & Lock screen, then in Fingerprint, go to the Fingerprint animation effect menu.
You can choose from three animations, or simply deactivate the animation by selecting None. Confirm your changes by pressing Save.
2. Change the way to unlock the screen
In addition to the fingerprint sensor under the screen, the OnePlus 7 allows you to unlock the screen using facial recognition. To activate it, you must first add your face.
Go to Settings, then in Security & Lock screen, enter Face recognition.
Tap Add face data, then tap Next two times in a row. Position your face in the center of the circle, keeping the device 20 to 30 cm away from your face.
Once your face is registered, you can choose the unlock mode: swipe up to unlock, or automatically unlock when the screen is on.
This setting can then be changed from the Default unlock menu.
If you’re using a OnePlus 7 Pro, the front camera housed in a motorized drawer will pop up automatically. A little less discreet than with a OnePlus 7.
3. Display the battery percentage
Natively, the OnePlus 7 does not display the battery charge percentage, but is satisfied only with an icon.
If some will live with it, the more manic can display the precise percentage very easily by going to Settings, then in the View menu. Then all you have to do is scroll through the options until you find those relating to the System.
Tap Status bar, and enable the Show battery percentage option.
4. Activate Android Pie navigation gestures
Tired of using the fixed navigation bar? It is possible to abandon it in favor of the navigation gestures of Android Pie.
Open Settings, enter the Buttons and gestures menu, then into Navigation bar and gestures.
Select the Navigation gestures option and find, at the bottom of the screen, the instructions for mastering the different gestures.
5. Disable Shelf
From the OnePlus 7 home page, by swiping the screen to the right, you can discover Shelf, a side drawer allowing quick access to certain functions. If you do not use it, it is possible to deactivate this function.
To achieve this, do a long press on the home screen, enter Settings and turn off the Shelf option.
6. Change the theme and accent color
The current fashion is for dark interfaces. The OnePlus 7 is no exception and therefore allows you to configure a dark interface with a custom accent color used to highlight the name of the menus, for example.
To activate the dark theme on your device, open Settings and then, in Display, under the heading Personalization, enter the Theme menu. Replace the Bright theme with the Dark theme.
By default, the selected accent color is blue. However, you can modify it by accessing the Accent color menu, then selecting one of the colors offered in the color chart.
7. Use a quick response window in landscape mode
When viewing a video in landscape mode, there may be times when you receive a message that you want to reply to immediately.
The OnePlus 7 incorporates a Quick Response mode in landscape that allows you to display a specific interface, perfectly suited to this display mode with compatible third-party applications, such as WhatsApp.
To activate it, open Settings, enter Utilities, and tap Quick response in landscape.
8. The front camera automatically retracts in the event of a fall
If you’re lucky enough to own a OnePlus 7 Pro, its front camera is hidden in a motorized drawer that deploys as soon as an application requires it. The only problem is that this mechanical part is potentially fragile and could, in the event of a bad fall, break.
But OnePlus has planned the blow. When the front camera is deployed, the smartphone detects drops and instantly retracts the camera to protect it.
9. Choose your ringing style using the side button
The OnePlus 7 has a slider button on the right edge, above the on / off button, to control the ring mode. His particuliarity ? It offers three positions: silent, vibrator, and ringing.
Each of these modes can be customized by going to Settings, then Buttons & Gestures, under the Alert Cursor menu.
10. Log in to multiple accounts simultaneously on the same application
Already present on many terminals, the Parallel applications function allows you to clone certain messaging applications that do not support the connection of multiple accounts, so that you can identify yourself on several accounts simultaneously without having to disconnect each time.
To take advantage of it, open Settings, enter Utilities, and access the Parallel Applications menu.
11. Rearrange the camera’s shooting modes
Natively, the OnePlus 7’s camera only activates four modes: Video, Photo, Portrait and Night Landscape which are available by sliding your finger left or right.
Open the Camera app and slide your finger up the screen to deploy the options. The different shooting modes are accessible from this pane, but it is also possible to integrate them into the carousel.
To do this, go to Camera Settings and enter Custom Modes.
12. Start Zen Mode
Can’t help but look at your smartphone when you’re at a restaurant? The OnePlus 7 has a solution for you: Zen Mode.
This feature allows you to “brick” your smartphone at your request, for about twenty minutes, without you being able to put an end to it. During this period, only emergency calls and the camera can be used. A good way to spend an evening, more or less quiet, provided you have the will.
To activate it, fully deploy the notifications panel and slide the tiles to the left.
Tap Zen Mode to open the app, tap Let’s Go, and launch Zen Mode by tapping Start.
Please note that you will no longer be able to use your smartphone for about twenty minutes.
13. Activate the camera’s quick launch button
The smartphone’s power button can be configured to quickly open the camera with a double press.
To do this, open Settings and enter Buttons & Gestures to activate the Quick Camera Activation feature there.
14. Get top gaming performance with Fnatic Mode
For an optimal gaming experience, OnePlus has integrated a Fnatic Mode, of the same name as the e-sport team. It offers an advanced game mode which is responsible for blocking all notifications and calls, monopolizing the performance of the device for the game. It also gives priority to the strength of the network signal to the main SIM card of the. device.
To take advantage of it, you must first add games to the list of applications that can automatically launch In-game mode.
To do this, open Settings, enter Utilities, then in the In-Game Mode menu, tap + Add Apps to In-Game Mode.
Select the games for which In-Game mode will be automatically activated. When launching a game, a pop-up will appear asking you whether or not you want to activate Fnatic mode.
15. Reduce screen flickering
Are you sensitive to the flickering of your smartphone screen? OnePlus offers an option for its two devices to reduce it. Integrated into the OnePlus Laboratory menu, DC Gradation is currently an experimental function.
To take advantage of it, open the Settings, enter the Utilities menu and then go to the OnePlus Laboratory. Then press DC Dimming to activate the feature.
16. Boost your RAM
The functionality is, in principle, enabled by default, but goes completely unnoticed. OnePlus has a built-in RAM Boost feature in its device, RAM Boost that helps increase RAM usage based on how much you use your device.
To find this option, open Settings, enter the System menu, and then navigate to the RAM Boost submenu.
17. Modify the screen definition
The OnePlus 7 Pro is the brand’s first device to feature a Quad HD + screen, but the device is however capable of displaying Full HD + definition, which consumes less energy.
Natively, the OnePlus 7 Pro automatically chooses the definition to use, depending on the open applications. (OnePlus speaks, wrongly, of resolution). However, you can choose one or the other manually to enjoy an optimal display, or to perpetuate the autonomy of your device.
Open Settings, enter Display then Resolution, and choose QHD + or FHD + definition depending on what you need.
18. Improve the color of videos
What could be better than a large screen to comfortably watch a series while on the move. The OnePlus 7 promises you to be able to enjoy it even more with the help of its Video Enhancer which takes care of rendering more vivid colors when you play a video on your device.
Open the Settings, enter the Display options, and go to the Video Enhancer menu to activate the function.
19. Record your screen in video
The OnePlus 7 incorporates a Screen Recorder function that allows you to record in video everything that happens on the screen of your device.
You will find this module in the second tile pane of the notifications panel.
20. Change the screen refresh rate
With a refresh rate of 90 Hz, the OnePlus 7 Pro offers incredible fluidity in display and navigation. While it is undoubtedly comfortable, it has a negative impact on battery life. If you want to prioritize autonomy over fluidity of the display, at least temporarily, it is possible to lower this refresh rate to 60 Hz.
To do this, open the Settings, enter the Display options, and access the Screen refresh rate menu to switch from 90 to 60 Hz.