So, if you have recently updated your OnePlus device to the new Android version, here are a few new features that you should certainly not miss.
1. Switch to the New Navigation Gestures
Gestures have been a part of OnePlus phones for quite some time now. Remember those M and O gestures? Well, we have come a long way since then. Now with Android 10, there’s a new set of navigation gestures doing their rounds. You get to choose from three different modes to get around your device. There are the older on-screen navigation buttons with the traditional nav bar at the bottom. Then there are the new stock Android 10 gestures where you can swipe up from the bottom to head to the home screen or swipe inwards from either side to go back. Or, you can simply and swipe up and hold to open the Android Overview menu. To enable these options, head over to Settings > Buttons & gestures > Navigation bar & gestures, and tap on one of the options. Plus, it also comes with a bar at the bottom to well guide you. That’s not the end of the story. You can also use it to switch between your recently used apps. Nifty, right? Just touch it and swipe from left to right. The good thing is that you can revert the settings if you don’t like the look of the bar.
2. Tweak the Smart Display
I find the Ambient Display of OnePlus phones very convenient. Whether to check the notifications or battery percentage, lift your phone or tap on the screen. With the new Oxygen OS Android 10 update, you can make it even better. Now, you’ll get access to relevant information like music player, calendar event, and other contextual info at a single tap. For instance, if you’re listening to music, tapping on the screen (even when it’s turned off) will display the name of the song and the artist. To enable it, head over to Settings > Display > Ambient display. Next, select Contextual info to select the enable the options as per your preference. Similarly, if you have any upcoming events in your calendar, they’ll also show up on the ambient display. Cool, I’d say.
3. Game Using the All-new Game Space
OnePlus has now removed its old Gaming mode from the Utilities section. Instead, it has turned it into a standalone app called Game Space. Now, you can find all your games under the single roof. You do not have to browse through your entire app drawer to look for your favorite games. Furthermore, it also shares interesting data such as the time you’ve spent playing each game. Of course, the options for graphics optimization, the eSports-ready Fnatic mode, and settings to manage phone calls and incoming notifications are incorporated in it.
4. Manage Notifications Better
Another new change is the new option to manage the notification shade. Now, you get the option to segregate notifications as Important and other. That gives you finer control over an app’s notification system. Now, notifications marked Important will alert you with either a chime or a vibration. The latter doesn’t trigger any sound. To enable it, tap and hold on any notification, and you will see an option to either mark that notification as Important or Other. If you want no distraction while you work, the second option is the best one to pick. And like the good old times, you can choose to turn off notifications altogether. What makes it different now is that you also get a couple of different options now. For instance, if you wish to stop only the DM notifications for Instagram, you can now do so. Tap on the Turn off notifications button, and you will see the helpful control at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, you can go to the Notification section from the App Info page.
5. Check the App Permissions
Apart from Notification, the Android 10 version of Oxygen OS has also overhauled App Permissions. Whenever you install a new app, it asks for permissions. The installation interface will greet you with a much simplified and informative permissions pop-up. For now, you get three options:
Allow access all the time,Allow it only while you’re using the appDeny
For example, if Facebook asks permission for Location, you’ll be able to choose when the app gets access to your device’s location.
6. Block Messages by Keywords
If you are on the receiving end of spam messages, you are in for a treat for the stock SMS app now comes with a nifty Block by Keywords feature. As you may have guessed, it’ll help you block incoming messages based on some preset keywords. So if you want to block all messages with the word Offer or Discount, you need to add these keywords to the block list. To do so, open up the SMS app and tap on the three-dot menu at the top-right corner and select Settings > Blocking Settings. Next, select the Block by keyword option and add the words you want to block. At the same time, disable the Blocking notification toggle. Next time, the message with the blocked word makes it way to your phone, it’ll be blocked automatically, and you won’t be bothered with chimes or vibrations.
7. Digital Wellbeing
Yep, you will be able to access the Digital Wellbeing features on your OnePlus device. Open the Settings menu, and you will find it right there. And this time, it includes everything that you’d find on a Pixel device. From the handy little chart showing your daily usage to the option to limit your screen time, it has everything. Plus, there’s the Wind Down feature, which helps you get better sleep by cleverly managing your notifications and setting up a Do Not Disturb schedule.
Bonus: For OnePlus 7 Pro Users
For OnePlus 7 Pro users, there are a couple of clever additions. For one, you’ll be able to use all three lenses to capture videos. If you recollect, it was missing in the previous OxygenOS versions. Plus, you can also use the Nightscape mode with wide-angle lens. So, whether it’s a well-lit monument or a beautiful lit cityscape, your phone will let you capture in all its glory. Just remember to get a quality tripod like the UBeesize Portable tripod for a stable and blur-free shot. Apart from that, you can now customize the horizon notification lights (on the curved edges) as per your preference. To do so, head over to the Customization Settings and select Horizon light option. Next, pick from one of the four available colors. Tap on the Preview option to see how the lights will show up. Once done, tap on the checkmark at the top-right corner, and that’s it.
Get the Most Out of Your OnePlus Phone
Google may have dropped the much-loved dessert-themed naming convention. Thankfully, the new features are quite sweet, right? I love the new navigation gestures and the finer controls for notifications and app permissions. What about you? Next up: Is aggressive battery optimization on OnePlus bothering you? If yes, check out the article below on how to fix it. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
