OnePlus 7 Tips and Tricks

Android 9 (Pie)
Phone: OnePlus 7
Factory OS: Android 9 (Pie)

If you want to access certain features of your device that are only available to developers, then you want the Developer options setting.

On most devices, this feature is hidden so you will need to pull down your notifications screen go into Settings. Then scroll down to About device.

Then you should see Build Number. This needs to be pressed a total of seven times. You should get a message at the fourth press. On the seventh, you’ll get another message saying that Developer Options are unlocked.

If you want to install Apps outside of the Play Store (called sideloading), then go to Settings – Apps & Notification – Special App Access and select ?Install Unknown Apps.

This setting will allow you to download Apps onto your device that would normally be blocked in the Play store.

Note: use at your own risk.?

Previously Android version had options to add any number of home screen as desired.

Some versions of Android 9 only come with three home screens, meaning you cannot add multiple home screens manually.

But there is another way to add more than three screens:

For that download a Launcher App. These are third-party user interfaces that allow you to customize your phone in many ways. Most of them allow multiple home screens. A very popular launcher which supports multiple home screens is GoLauncher EX.

Simply go the Play Store and search for GoLauncher EX or another launcher.

If you want to access your quick settings more quickly, then instead of swiping down with one finger, then use two.

This should take you straight to the quick settings, however it may not work on all phones and models.

Locking your phone is a great security feature, but when you’re at home it’s normally not necessary.

A featured called Trusted Places enables you to bypass the lock screen when you’re at specific geographic places.

To set it up go to Settings – Lock screen and security – Smart lock – Trusted places. You can also set up the bypass to work when your phone is connected to specific Bluetooth devices such as Smart watches or Audio devices.

You can also override this (i.e. lock your screen when it is at the location). To override, just press and hold the padlock icon on the lock screen.

This may not work on all phones, models or networks.

The Do Not Disturb is a very useful feature if you are in a meeting or somewhere where you want to block incoming calls or messages.

To enable Do Not Disturb, drag down your notifications and go into Settings – Sounds and notifications. Then under the Notifications section, press Do Not Disturb.

Once this is setup, you can allow exceptions for certain Apps. To set these up, press Allow Exceptions, then App notifications. You should now see a list of all of your Apps. Choose one and then select Set as priority.

Now, when notifications come in via this App and you have Do Not Disturb enabled, you should see the notifications.

While viewing your list of Contacts you can swipe from Right to Left to send a text message to the selected contact.

This might not work on all models.

To show the Browser History, open your Android stock browser (the default browser). Then press the Menu or More button and select Settings. Then Advanced – Manage website data.

To clear history, go to Privacy and Delete personal data.

If you don’t want to have to unlock your screen every time you take your device out of standby then go to Settings – Security & location.

Then select Screen lock type and select None.

The Play store contains thousands of great Apps, but there are time that you want to restrict access to these Apps for whatever reasons. This can easily be done.

First, open the Play Store App and swipe from left to right to see the settings. Then press Settings and scroll for Parental controls.

From here you can chose settings for Low/Medium/High maturity levels. Great for preventing access for young people.