With OnePlus' phone software becoming more fully featured than ever before, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into with the version of OxygenOS running on the Android 13-poweredOnePlus 11.
We’ve collected some of our favourite software features, and highlighted some lesser-known capabilities of OxygenOS 13. Even if you have a different OnePlus model, if you’re running OxygenOS 13 there’s a good chance you’ll have these features too. Read on below, or watch the video above to follow along.
Turn an app into a floating window
One of the newer features in OxygenOS 13 is the ability to run an app as a floating window on the display, over the top of other apps and interface layers. It’s enabled by default, and there are a couple of ways to activate it. The easiest - when the app is open - is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen and keep going past the point where it would normally activate your recent apps view. You’ll see a ‘floating window’ graphic appear at the top, and then you release it, and it’ll become a floating window. Not every app supports it, but it does work with many.
The other way to activate it is to go into your recent apps view by swiping up and holding, then tapping the three-dot menu above the preview of your desired app. You should see ‘floating window’ as an option in the drop-down list that appears. Choose that and it’ll create the floating window.
Once the floating window is active you can move it around, tap to enlarge it, or double-tap to make it full-screen again. You can also move it off the screen by swiping it away, at which point it becomes a floating tab on the edge of the screen, which you can drag back to make it a floating window again.
Enlarge folders
As is typical for Android, when you drag an app icon on top of another it creates a small folder on that screen. However, you can now also make larger folders which show more app icons, and also allow you to tap directly on the app in the folder to open the app, giving you quicker access to it. Press and hold on a folder and - in the pop-up menu that appears - choose ‘Enlarge folder’ to turn it into a bigger one.
Enable and use the Smart Sidebar
This one’s definitely an Oppo-inspired feature, but you do have the option to have a sidebar always accessible from the screen. Using it you’re able to quickly launch your favourite apps or shortcuts.
Just open Settings, find ‘Special features’ and on the next screen tap ‘Smart Sidebar’. Toggle it on and go through the options to customise its appearance. Now, you’ll see a tab on the right side of your screen. If you swipe it to the left it’ll open, and show a default collection of functions and apps. Tap ‘edit’ here and you can choose others to go in there, removing and rearranging until it’s got the tools you want.
Easy split-screen mode
There’s a really easy way to get into split-screen mode for multitasking, and it’s simply swiping up with three fingers on the screen when you have an app open. Choose the app you want to appear below it, and there you go, split-screen mode. You can drag the bar to reposition the split or drag it all the way to the top or bottom to make one of them full-screen.
One-handed mode
On a similar note, you may activateAndroid 13’s defaultone-handed mode by simply swiping down near the bottom of the display. This brings content down from the top and makes it easier to reach. If it’s not enabled, you can find it in Settings, search for one-handed mode and then toggle it on.
Shoot hands-free selfies
One really useful feature is hidden away in the camera settings, and it allows you to take a selfie without needing to physically press a button on the phone. Instead, you can just show your palm to the camera and it’ll snap a selfie. It’s a feature we’ve seenon Samsung phones, and you can access it on the OnePlus 11 by launching the camera, then opening the camera settings menu by tapping the three dots in the corner, and tapping ‘Settings’. Now find ‘Shooting methods’ and on the next screen toggle on the option that says ‘Show palm’.
Tap anywhere to capture a photo
In the exact same menu as the previous tip you’ll see an option that says ‘Tap to capture’. If you toggle this on you’ll be able to tap anywhere on the camera view to snap a photo, you don’t have to tap the big orange button. It makes it easier to shoot when you’re already stretching.
Turn the volume button into a zoom control
By default - like most phones - if you’re using the camera and press either volume up or down, it’ll take a photo or start recording. But if you’d rather use it for the zoom function instead, you can do. It lets you zoom in and out without touching the screen which can be a bit of a godsend. Just open up the camera settings using the three dots in the corner of the camera app, then hit ‘Settings’. Scroll all the way down until you get to the ‘Useful features’ options and then tap ‘Volume button action’. Now tap ‘Zoom’ and your volume button will now zoom in and out in the camera viewfinder.
Shoot straight
This has been there for a while, but OnePlus' camera software lets you add a level guide to show you when you’re holding the camera straight. It’s useful for ensuring your horizons aren’t skew. Just open the camera settings again and toggle on the ‘Level’ option.
Adjust your haptics
One of the benefits of a high-precision haptic system is it can be adjusted to suit your preferences, so you’re able to have it feel as strong and crisp as you like. You can even switch them off altogether if you want. Just head into the main Settings app, find ‘Sound & vibration’ and then ‘Haptics and tones’ and you’ll be able to adjust the intensity, or change between a crisper or gentler tap. If you want them off, just toggle them off.
