Launched to much acclaim, the OnePlus Nord revives the 'Flagship Killer' reputation with its capable mid-range chipset and seamless OxygenOS. Yet, a smartphone's true power lies beyond hardware—in smart software customizations that elevate everyday use.
Contents
1. Quick Launch Shortcuts for Fingerprints
2. Face Unlock
3. Ambient clock style
4. Go back to the power menu
5. Enable dark mode in more apps
6. Hello 48-megapixel shooter
7. Rearrange camera modes
Get the most out of your OnePlus Nord
Having thoroughly tested the OnePlus Nord since its debut, our team has pinpointed these proven tips and tricks to help you maximize its capabilities.
If you're looking to enhance your OnePlus Nord experience, dive into these expert-recommended adjustments.
Shortcuts save time, and the OnePlus Nord takes this to the next level with fingerprint sensor app launches. Simply press and hold the sensor longer than for unlocking—a contextual menu appears instantly post-unlock.
To activate, navigate to Settings > Utilities > Quick Launch and toggle it on.
Then, select Shortcut Settings to assign your favorite apps, like Google Maps or even Settings itself for quick access.
Note: This requires disabling Face Unlock, but the fingerprint sensor is remarkably swift in our tests.
Refine Face Unlock on your OnePlus Nord for smarter behavior. By default, it jumps straight to the home screen, which can skip notifications awkwardly.
Fix this in Settings > Security & Lock screen > Face unlock—disable "Auto unlock once..." to stay on the lock screen for quick glances.
Your phone now recognizes you swiftly without forcing a full unlock.
OnePlus Nord's Ambient Display offers stylish analog-digital clock faces, like the striking white-and-red combo.
Customize via Personalization > Clock Style. Pick your favorite.
Further tailor lock screen info in View > Ambient Display, enabling music, notifications, or other details as needed.
Tired of Google Assistant hijacking the power button long-press? Revert to the classic power menu easily, since Assistant is accessible via diagonal swipe from home screen.
Go to Settings > Buttons and gestures > Press & hold power button, then choose Power menu.
Benefits include one-handed screenshots. Pro tip: Install Amazon Alexa app and select it from Assistant app settings for power button activation.
Dark mode shines on the Nord's AMOLED screen, saving battery and looking sleek. Enable system-wide via Quick Settings, but force it on more apps with this lab feature.
Settings > Utilities > OnePlus Lab > Enable dark mode in more apps.
Toggle per app and relaunch—enjoy the dark side fully. Star Wars fans, check cool wallpapers here.
Switch from default 12MP to full 48MP on the main sensor for sharper shots. In Photo mode, tap the 12MP icon and select 48MP.
Bonus: Filters work in 48MP—tap the upper-right Filter icon to choose one.
Streamline the camera UI by hiding unused modes and prioritizing favorites for faster access and a cleaner interface.
Open camera settings (top-right gear), scroll to Custom modes.
Remove via minus icons or drag to reorder.
Note: Settings mirror those on OnePlus 8 series (minus wide-angle selfie). Explore optimal camera configs for OnePlus devices here.
These tweaks unlock more from your OnePlus Nord. Experiment further in Utilities (Parallel Apps, App Locker), switch to Vibrant display (View > Vibrant Color Effect), or tweak Dirac Audio Tuner in Sounds & Vibrations.
Share your favorite tips in the comments.
Next: How does OxygenOS stack up against Samsung's One UI? Check our comparison to see the differences.
