Why App pinning is greyed out on a OnePlus (OxygenOS 16)

Device

Android

Shown on

OnePlus Nord 5 (CPH2709), OxygenOS 16.0.5.1201, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Security and privacy › More security and privacy › App pinning

Real screenshots

9 of 9 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Find App pinning

   Searching App pinning finds it under Security and privacy, More security and privacy.

   Done

2. 

   See the greyed-out switch

   With gestures on, the App pinning switch cannot be turned on.

   Done

3. 

   Read why

   The page says App pinning is unavailable if Navigation gestures is turned on.

   Done

4. 

   Switch to buttons

   Open Settings, System & update, System navigation and pick Buttons.

   Done

5. 

   Turn App pinning on

   Go back to App pinning. The switch now works. Lock screen after unpinning was off on ours.

   Done

6. 

   Pin an app

   Open the app, then tap the recent apps button. Tap the three dots above the app and tap Pin.

   Done

7. 

   Read the message

   App is pinned: it stays in view until you unpin it. Touch and hold Back and Overview to unpin. Tap Got it.

   Done

8. 

   Unpin

   Touch and hold Back and Overview together. Ours went to the Home screen.

   Done

9. 

   Switch it off again

   To go back to gestures, we turned App pinning off and switched System navigation to Gestures.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Older OxygenOS? OnePlus's OxygenOS 14 manual says the same: App pinning works only with button navigation. Source: OxygenOS 14.0 User Manual

If this does not work

• Still greyed out with buttons? Go back and reopen the App pinning page after switching.
• Can't unpin? Touch and hold Back and Overview at the same time, for a second or two. Source: Pin and unpin screens

About this guide

App pinning keeps one app on screen, for example before handing your phone to a child.

The screenshots are from our OnePlus Nord 5 with OxygenOS 16.0.5.1201 and Android 16, in Dark mode. Our phone uses gestures, so the switch was greyed out. We switched to buttons, pinned Settings, unpinned it, then put App pinning and gestures back.

Good to know

Switch between gestures and buttons on a OnePlus.

In short: Buttons navigation, App pinning on, recent apps, three dots, Pin.