I tried out the OnePlus Open when it first launched last October, but it wasn’t until the release of the refreshed Open Apex Edition this year that I actually popped my SIM card in. I absolutely loved the OnePlus Canvas feature on the OnePlus Pad 2 (review) – a feature that actually originated on the OnePlus Open – and it was a big reason why I made the Open my primary phone. After using this phone for a bit, I’ve picked up some cool tips and tricks I can’t wait to share. Whether you’re new to the OnePlus Open or want to get even more out of it, use these tips to get the most out of this foldable.
I tested and used these features on the OnePlus Open Apex Edition running OxygenOS 14. Most features will work on the regular OnePlus Open and the Apex Edition, but some, like VIP mode, are currently exclusive to the Apex Edition.
Table of Contents
1. Use Three Apps Simultaneously Using Open Canvas
Open Canvas is my favorite feature on the OnePlus Open and Pad 2. It lets you multitask with up to three apps simultaneously on the OnePlus Open’s large inner display, giving you a tablet feel.
To use Open Canvas:
- Open the first app you want to use, then swipe down with two fingers from the top.
- Choose the second app to open it side-by-side.
- Then, tap and drag a third app from the dock to add it to the split view, positioning it on either side or at the bottom.
I love using Open Canvas for note-taking while browsing. For research, I split the screen between Chrome and Google Keep, and when I need a video reference, YouTube is a quick click away from the taskbar. This lets me seamlessly juggle three apps without minimizing any.
You can also expand an app in split-screen view as shown below. This will give you two apps side-by-side on the top or bottom and the expanded app in a larger view of the remaining space.
2. Quickly Switch Between Recent Apps
You can quickly switch between the current and last opened app by swiping across the gesture bar at the bottom of your screen. Swipe right to access the previous app, swipe right again to open an even earlier one, or swipe left to return to the app you were using.
It works smoothly and is a handy multitasking feature if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to open Open Canvas and arrange apps.
3. Continue Using the App from Cover Screen
When you close your OnePlus Open while using an app on the large inner screen, you will see an option to continue using it on the cover screen for a brief moment after closing the device. Just swipe up on the prompt, and the same app will open on the outer display.
For example, if you’re using Instagram on the inner screen and suddenly close the phone, swipe up from the bottom of the outer display, and Instagram will open there. If the option doesn’t appear, go to Settings > Foldable features > Screen Switching > choose Swipe up to continue using.
4. Open Apps on Home Screen Easily with One Hand
The OnePlus Open isn’t a small phone by any means. If you find it difficult to reach apps on the home screen, simply swipe upward on the left or right edge of the screen. This will pull all the app icons closer to the bottom of the screen. Without lifting your finger, swipe over and release it on the app you want to use.
This quick gesture lets you launch apps easily without having to stretch your finger all the way to reach them. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Home Screen & Lock Screen and toggle on Icon pull-down gesture.
5. Turn On VIP Mode With Alert Slider
VIP Mode is a privacy-focused feature that allows you to quickly disable the device’s cameras and microphone with a simple flick of the alert slider. A similar feature is available on the OPPO Find N3 and Find X7 Ultra.
To enter VIP mode, slide the alert slider up—you’ll go from ringer to vibrate and then to VIP mode.
Once you do so, it will cut off access to your phone’s camera and microphone for situations where you need absolute privacy or are worried about apps on your phone watching or listening to you. The mode also features hardware-level security, with an independent security chip protecting the phone.
VIP mode is currently exclusive to the OnePlus Open Apex Edition. It will likely arrive on other OnePlus Open models as well.
6. Use Multi-Screen Connect Features
The OnePlus Open, running OxygenOS 14, offers Multi-Screen Connect features for seamless ecosystem integration. If you own a OnePlus Pad or Pad 2, you can easily pair it with your phone to mirror your phone’s screen, remotely control it, or even manage calls and messages directly from your tablet.
When using one device, you’ll never miss a beat on the other, thanks to seamless notifications and call syncing. If you own other compatible OnePlus devices, be sure to explore these Multi-Screen Connect features. You can access Multi-Screen Connect in Settings > Connection & sharing.
7. Show and Hide Taskbar
On your OnePlus Open running OxygenOS 14, you can press and hold the taskbar (also known as the dock) at the bottom of your screen to toggle its visibility. For this to work, make sure you’ve enabled Touch and hold to hide or show taskbar in Settings > Main screen > Taskbar.
Hiding the taskbar gives you more screen space for activities like watching videos, reading documents, or browsing emails. It provides quick access to frequently used apps and facilitates multitasking by allowing you to easily switch between different tasks.
8. Copy and Paste Files Using the Sidebar
The Smart Sidebar, like on other OnePlus phones, lets you access your favorite apps quickly. It also has a File Dock feature that temporarily holds files to move between apps. For instance, you can copy a file from one app to the sidebar and then paste it into any other app.
To use it, share any file to the File Dock from the share sheet menu. Then, open the app where you want to paste the file, open the sidebar, and tap on File Dock. Drag the file from the dock and drop it into the app.
9. Take Selfies With Rear Camera
With the OnePlus Open, there’s an advantage to using a foldable phone: you can use the rear camera to take selfies. Sure, the phone has a 20-megapixel selfie camera, but that pales in comparison to the 48-megapixel rear sensor. All you need to do is open your OnePlus Open, launch the Camera app, and tap the preview button in the top right corner.
You’ll see a “Cover screen is on” toast message on your screen. Now, control the camera on the cover display while your phone shoots with the rear camera for high-quality selfie photos and videos, in case you also love to vlog. I personally use this feature for taking group selfies, as I can utilize the phone’s ultra-wide camera to fit everyone in one frame.
In the same mode, you can minimize the camera to go to the home screen and use the OnePlus Open’s outer display while it’s open. This can be useful in certain situations.
10. Use Capture View Feature
You might have noticed that captured photos turn out a little different from what you see in the viewfinder, as they’re processed after being captured. With the OnePlus Open, you can capture photos and directly see the final result side-by-side using the Capture View feature.
Open the Camera app and tap the Camera View icon in the top left corner. You’ll now see a preview of the last image you captured on the left side of the screen with options to share, delete, or scribble on it. Continue taking new photos while the preview of the last photo taken appears on the left.
11. Create a Hidden Space With System Cloner
I’m a big fan of Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy phones. While OnePlus doesn’t have an exact equivalent, it does offer System Cloner, which lets you create a separate, password-protected user profile on your phone. This hidden space functions like a second phone, with its own cloned apps, data, and settings useful if you share your phone with family members, as they can use the other profile without affecting your main profile. It reminds me of Second Space from Xiaomi.
To create this hidden profile, go to Settings > Privacy > System Cloner. Follow the instructions to set it up with a password or PIN, and assign a fingerprint for easy access. To switch to this profile, simply lock and unlock your phone using the assigned fingerprint.
That sums up the tips, tricks, and features you must use on your OnePlus Open. With three years of major updates promised, the phone still has a pretty good runway left until Android 17, and we believe more features will be added over time.
