How to use Smart Sidebar on an OPPO phone (ColorOS 16)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-use-smart-sidebar-on-an-oppo-phone/ · Checked October 2026 · CPH2689, EEA), ColorOS 16.0.5, Android 16 (build CPH2689_16.0.5.1001(EX01) · OPPO Reno13 5G

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

OPPO Reno13 5G (CPH2689, EEA), ColorOS 16.0.5, Android 16 (build CPH2689_16.0.5.1001(EX01))

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Accessibility & convenience

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Accessibility & convenience

   Open Settings and scroll down.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Smart Sidebar

   Under Windows & gestures.

   Done

3. 

   Turn on Smart Sidebar

   The page says: swipe in from the upper part of the screen to bring it up.

   Done

4. 

   Swipe in to open it

   Swipe left from the thin bar at the right edge, near the top. Ours showed File Dock, Screenshot, Screen recording and apps such as Chrome, Calculator, My Files and Photos, with All and Edit at the bottom. The first time, a Welcome to Smart Sidebar screen asks you to tap Get started.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Smart Sidebar under Accessibility & convenience? OPPO gives Settings, Special features or Accessibility & convenience, Smart Sidebar on ColorOS 12 to 15, and Settings, Convenience Tools, Smart Sidebar on ColorOS 6.0 to 11.3. Source: What Is Smart Sidebar and How to Use It on OPPO Phones
• Older phone with no Smart Sidebar at all? OPPO says Smart Sidebar needs ColorOS 5.2 or later; on ColorOS 5.0 and 5.1 the feature is called Full Screen Multitasking. Source: What Is Smart Sidebar and How to Use It on OPPO Phones
• Handle hidden? Floating bar has Do not hide and Auto hide, plus Size, Transparency, Up/Down and Left/Right. Ours: Do not hide, on the right.

  

If this does not work

• Can't find the handle? OPPO describes a white vertical line on the right edge that you swipe slightly left. On our ColorOS 16 phone the page says to swipe in from the upper part of the screen, and Floating bar was set to Do not hide, on the right. Source: What Is Smart Sidebar and How to Use It on OPPO Phones
• "Adding limit reached"? OPPO says Quick Apps holds 18 apps; remove one with the minus icon, then add the new one and tap Done. Source: What Is Smart Sidebar and How to Use It on OPPO Phones
• App won't open in a floating window? OPPO says only apps that support floating show among the floating apps; the rest open normally. Source: What Is Smart Sidebar and How to Use It on OPPO Phones

About this guide

The screenshots are from our OPPO Reno13 5G, the European model CPH2689, with ColorOS 16.0.5 and Android 16 (build CPH2689_16.0.5.1001(EX01)), in Dark mode. Smart Sidebar was on.

Good to know

To change how you go back and home, switch between gestures and buttons.

To keep some apps private, lock and hide apps on an OPPO phone.

In short: Settings, Accessibility & convenience, Smart Sidebar on; swipe in from the upper edge.