iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
OxygenOS includes useful tools that are easy to miss because they live behind gestures, a settings profile, or a dedicated search surface. Hidden Space protects selected apps from the normal drawer, Smart Sidebar puts utilities over another app, Work Life Balance separates work and personal alerts, OnePlus Scout searches across the phone, and Zen Mode creates a deliberate focus session. The exact names and availability depend on your OxygenOS release, device, country, and carrier.
Which hidden OxygenOS features are worth learning?
These tools solve different problems rather than duplicating one another. Hidden Space is primarily a privacy feature; Smart Sidebar and Quick note reduce friction while you are already inside another app; Work Life Balance automates notification boundaries; Scout finds content without making you remember which app stores it; and Zen Mode turns focus into a defined session instead of a vague intention.
| Feature | Main benefit | Access style | Runs continuously or as a session? | Version sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Space | Keep selected apps out of the ordinary app list | Launcher gesture | Continuous until you leave the hidden location | Documented in the OxygenOS 12 OnePlus 10 Pro manual; newer launcher behavior can differ |
| Smart Sidebar and Quick note | Open tools or a floating note without leaving the current app | Edge gesture and floating panel | Available whenever the sidebar is enabled | Documented in the OxygenOS 14 manual; panel contents can vary |
| Work Life Balance 2.0 | Change notification rules for work and personal life | Settings-based profiles | Automatic profile changes based on rules | Availability and labels depend on OxygenOS version and device |
| OnePlus Scout | Search documents, contacts, music and web entries from one place | Search bar, with optional voice input | Available whenever Scout is present | May vary by device, release and region |
| Zen Mode | Create an intentional, visually calm focus period | Dedicated mode and session controls | Session-based | Theme selection and availability are not identical on every current release |
| Shelf (optional) | See glanceable cards and controls in one panel | Panel gesture or launcher entry | Continuous, when enabled | Cards and entry point vary by release |
1. Hidden Space: remove selected apps from the normal drawer
What it does
Hidden Space is a separate launcher location for apps you do not want displayed in the regular app list. It is useful for separating private utilities, secondary accounts or infrequently used apps from the visual clutter of the main drawer. It is not a replacement for app-level authentication: an app may still require its own lock, and anyone who knows where Hidden Space is located may be able to open it.
How to open it
- From the home screen, place two fingers on the display and slide them outward.
- Alternatively, open the app drawer and swipe to the right.
- When Hidden Space appears, use the launcher controls shown there to view the apps assigned to that area.
The OnePlus 10 Pro OxygenOS 12 manual states: “To access, swipe right in the app drawer or swipe outwards with two fingers on the home screen.” That wording describes OxygenOS 12, so do not assume the same gesture is preserved unchanged on a newer phone.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
When the gesture does nothing
- Try the app-drawer route first; it is a useful fallback when the two-finger gesture is difficult to perform.
- Open Settings and search for “Hidden Space” or “launcher” to check whether your release exposes a related control.
- Confirm that you are using the stock OnePlus launcher. A third-party launcher can replace the drawer and may not provide this feature.
- Check the OxygenOS version before concluding that the feature has been removed. A feature documented for OxygenOS 12 can move or change on later releases.
2. Smart Sidebar and Quick note: keep a utility layer over any app
What appears in the sidebar
Smart Sidebar is a floating edge handle that opens a vertical utility panel above the app you are using. The OxygenOS 14 manual lists Screen translator, Screenshot, Screen recording and Quick note on the first display. The panel is intended for quick actions, not as a second home screen.
Open Quick note without leaving a call, lecture or video
- Locate the floating Smart Sidebar handle along the edge of the screen.
- Swipe inward from the handle to reveal the sidebar.
- Tap Quick note.
- Write in the floating Notes window, then dismiss or minimize it when you are finished.
Because Quick note opens over the current app, you can capture a phone number during a call, a question during a lecture or a timestamp while watching a video without switching away and trying to find the original screen again.
Make the sidebar practical instead of distracting
- Keep only the actions you use repeatedly; a long strip of shortcuts slows down selection.
- Use Screenshot or Screen recording when the current app does not offer an obvious capture control.
- Use Screen translator when text is visible in another app and copying it is inconvenient.
- If the handle is obstructing controls, open Settings, search for “Smart Sidebar,” and adjust its position or visibility where those options are provided.
Smart Sidebar and Quick note are documented for OxygenOS 14. The presence, order and names of tools can differ on another release, even when the sidebar itself remains available.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
3. Work Life Balance 2.0: automate work and personal notification boundaries
How it differs from ordinary Do Not Disturb
| Question | Work Life Balance 2.0 | Basic Do Not Disturb |
|---|---|---|
| What starts the change? | Rules based on time, location or a Wi‑Fi hotspot | Usually a manual toggle or a simpler schedule |
| Can filtering be app-specific? | Yes. You can allow selected apps and minimize distractions in a profile | Usually filters people, alerts or categories rather than creating a work/personal app profile |
| Does the phone switch profiles automatically? | Yes, when the configured trigger is met | Only when an available schedule or manual rule says to do so |
Set up a work or personal profile
- Open Settings and search for Work Life Balance. The exact menu location and wording depend on your OxygenOS release.
- Create or select the work and personal contexts offered by your phone.
- Choose a trigger: a time window, a location or a Wi‑Fi hotspot.
- Designate the work account when the profile asks for one.
- Select which apps may notify you during the profile and which should be minimized.
- Save the profile, then test it by entering the trigger condition. Verify that the allowed apps behave as intended before relying on the rule for an important work period.
The useful distinction is automation. A conventional Do Not Disturb switch can quiet a phone, but Work Life Balance 2.0 is designed to change the phone’s notification context when your circumstances change. For example, a workplace Wi‑Fi connection can activate a work profile, while leaving that network can restore personal notifications.
Prevent missed alerts
- Keep emergency contacts or genuinely time-critical apps in the allowed list.
- Review both profiles after installing a new messaging or work app; new apps are not necessarily included automatically.
- Use a time trigger when location or Wi‑Fi is unreliable, such as a shared office network with weak coverage.
4. OnePlus Scout: search the phone from one box
What Scout searches
OnePlus describes Scout as a one-stop search bar for documents, contacts, music tracks and web entries. Voice search is also available. Its value is not a new storage system; it is a way to find an item when you remember the name or words but not which app or folder contains it.
A faster search workflow
- Open the Scout search surface provided by your phone. Its launcher entry and placement can vary by OxygenOS release.
- Type a distinctive word from the document, contact, song or web entry you need.
- Review results by category and open the matching item directly.
- Use the microphone or voice-search control when speaking the query is faster than typing.
For example, searching a project name can return a contact, a saved document and a related web entry in one result set. That avoids opening a contacts app, a file manager and a browser separately just to discover where the information was saved.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
If Scout is not visible
Search Settings for “Scout” first. If there is no matching control or search surface, your device, region or OxygenOS build may not include it. In that case, use the relevant app’s own search function rather than assuming that an empty launcher search means the content has been deleted.
5. Zen Mode: make focus a defined session
Why it is different from muting notifications
Zen Mode is a digital focus space. OnePlus describes five tranquil themes and an option to invite friends into a shared Zen space. The point is the deliberate start and finish of a focus period, supported by a calm visual environment, rather than merely suppressing alerts while you continue using the phone normally.
Start a focus session
- Open Zen Mode from the entry available on your phone; use Settings search for “Zen Mode” if you cannot find it.
- Choose the session duration or controls offered by your release.
- Select a tranquil theme when theme choices are shown.
- Start the session and keep the phone aside, returning when the session ends or when the mode presents its permitted exit.
Use shared Zen space carefully
You can invite friends into a shared Zen space when that option is available. A group session can create accountability for studying, reading or a meeting, but everyone should agree on the duration and what counts as an urgent interruption before starting.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Do not assume that every current OnePlus phone still shows exactly five themes. OnePlus’s description identifies five tranquil themes, while later releases can change the selection or presentation.
Optional: Shelf for glanceable information
Shelf is a customizable at-a-glance panel rather than a focus or privacy tool. OnePlus lists cards such as weather, a step counter and headset controls, and describes Shelf as a place for quick access to digital-life controls.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Open the Shelf panel using the launcher gesture or entry shown on your OxygenOS build.
- Add the cards you actually check during the day, such as weather or step count.
- Remove cards that create visual noise and rearrange the remaining cards for the order in which you use them.
Shelf suits readers who prefer widgets and glanceable information. If you want a clean home screen and do not check cards regularly, leaving it disabled is simpler.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Version, device and rollout checks
These features come from manuals and product descriptions tied to particular OxygenOS generations, not from a promise that every OnePlus phone exposes the same controls. The Hidden Space gesture is documented in the OxygenOS 12 manual for the OnePlus 10 Pro, while Smart Sidebar’s listed tools come from the OxygenOS 14 manual. OnePlus’s OxygenOS 16 information lists the OnePlus 13 among compatible devices and says rollout timing varies by device model, country and carrier.
- Open Settings and check the OxygenOS version in the device-information area; menu labels can differ by release.
- Search Settings for the feature name before looking through every submenu.
- Check for system updates, then restart the phone after an update if a launcher or sidebar feature is still missing.
- Confirm your exact model, country and carrier when comparing instructions with another OnePlus owner’s phone.
A feature can therefore be present in the operating system family but absent from a particular build, renamed in a later interface or delivered at a different time through the carrier rollout.
Quick Recap
Choosing the right feature for the problem
- You want privacy from visual clutter: use Hidden Space, while remembering that it is a launcher location rather than a complete app lock.
- You need to capture or translate something without switching apps: use Smart Sidebar and Quick note.
- Your notifications should change when you arrive at work or leave it: configure Work Life Balance 2.0 with a location or Wi‑Fi trigger.
- You remember the item but not its app: try OnePlus Scout, including voice search.
- You want a focused block with a clear start and finish: use Zen Mode; its purpose is intentional focus, not just silence.
- You want weather, steps or headset controls at a glance: customize Shelf.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
