Android

How to use the Smart Sidebar on a OnePlus (OxygenOS 16)

By · Reviewed by Saadat Rafiq

2 min read6 stepsPublished 15 October 2026

Screenshot from the guide: How to use the Smart Sidebar on a OnePlus (OxygenOS 16)
In this guide
  1. Turn it on
  2. Accept the notice
  3. Open the sidebar
  4. Use it inside an app
  5. Tap Edit
  6. Add or remove tools and apps
  7. If you do not see this option
  8. If this does not work
  9. Good to know
  10. Sources
Short answer

Search Settings for Smart Sidebar and turn it on. Swipe in from the bar at the edge of the screen to open it: File Dock, Screenshot, Screen recording and your apps. Tap Edit to add or remove tools and apps, or drag an app out to open it in Split View.

Device
Android
Shown on
OnePlus Nord 5 (CPH2709), OxygenOS 16.0.5.1201, Android 16
App
Settings
Path
Settings › Smart Sidebar
Real screenshots
6 of 6 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

  1. Android screenshot: Turn it on

    Turn it on

    Search Settings for Smart Sidebar. Turn on Smart Sidebar. Ours had Floating bar, Sidebar style (2-column) and File Dock (On) below it.

  2. Android screenshot: Accept the notice

    Accept the notice

    The first time you open it, Welcome to Smart Sidebar explains Quick access and File Dock and the permissions it uses. Tap Get started.

  3. Android screenshot: Open the sidebar

    Open the sidebar

    Swipe in from the floating bar at the edge of the screen. Ours showed File Dock, Screenshot, Screen recording, Chrome, Calculator, My Files, Photos, All and Edit.

  4. Android screenshot: Use it inside an app

    Use it inside an app

    It opens the same way over an app, here the Display & brightness settings.

  5. Android screenshot: Tap Edit

    Tap Edit

    Edit is the last button in the sidebar, next to All.

  6. Android screenshot: Add or remove tools and apps

    Add or remove tools and apps

    Tap + on a tool or app to add it, or the minus on one in the sidebar to remove it. Tap Done.

If you do not see this option

  • Older OxygenOS? OnePlus's OxygenOS 14 manual turns it on under Settings, Special features, Smart Sidebar. Source: OxygenOS 14.0 User Manual
  • All your apps? Tap All in the sidebar to see the rest of your apps. Sidebar style was 2-column on ours.

If this does not work

  • Sidebar won't open? Check Smart Sidebar is on. The manual says the floating bar does not show while you play games. Source: OxygenOS 14.0 User Manual
  • Bar in the way? The manual says to touch and hold the top of the sidebar and drag it, and to change the bar's transparency in the Smart Sidebar settings. Source: OxygenOS 14.0 User Manual
  • Switched off after Exit? On ours, tapping Exit on the welcome notice turned Smart Sidebar off. Turn it on again and tap Get started.

About this guide

The Smart Sidebar is a pull-out panel of tools and apps that works over the home screen and inside apps.

The screenshots are from our OnePlus Nord 5 with OxygenOS 16.0.5.1201 and Android 16, in Dark mode. The first time, we accepted its privacy notice with Get started.

Good to know

Two apps at once: Split View and floating windows.

In short: Settings, search Smart Sidebar, turn on. Swipe in from the edge bar. Edit to change it.

Sources

Links checked in October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.

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