From a multi-function key that replaces the alert slider to clever AI tricks, here are the settings you need to change on your new OnePlus Nord 5.
So you’ve just unboxed your shiny new OnePlus Nord 5. You’ve admired the premium finish, felt the power of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, and maybe even tried out the 144fps gaming. But the best parts of using this phone aren’t just on the spec sheet.
OnePlus has packed its latest mid-ranger with a suite of genuinely useful software features, many of them powered by AI and some of them buried deep in the settings menu. Here’s our guide to the essential tips, tricks, and hidden settings you should enable right now to get the most out of your new device.
1. Customize the new Plus Key
In a potentially controversial move, the Nord 5 is the first in the series to ditch the iconic Alert Slider for a new, customizable “Plus Key.” While longtime fans might miss the simple switch, the good news is that this new key is a lot more powerful. By default, it launches an AI feature, but you can — and should — set it to whatever you want.
- Go to Settings >> Plus Key.
- Choose from a list of functions like opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, or launching a specific app. It’s a neat trick that makes a single hardware button much more personal.
2. Let AI Plus Mind do the note-taking for you
This is one of those “why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?” features. AI Plus Mind scans whatever is on your screen — an article, a conversation, a meeting invite — and uses AI to pull out the key information. It can create summaries and save them to a “Mind Space” app or even pull dates and times to create a calendar event automatically. It’s super handy for when you’re in a rush.
- You can trigger it with the Plus Key (if you keep the default setting) or by performing a three-finger swipe-up on the screen.
3. Translate your calls in real-time with AI VoiceScribe
Here’s where things get a little sci-fi. The Nord 5 has a built-in call translator that works not only for standard network calls but also for third-party apps like WhatsApp. While you’re on a call, you can get a real-time on-screen transcription and translation.
- During a network call, tap the AI Call Assistant button and select AI Translation.
- For apps like WhatsApp, you can access the same feature from the smart sidebar.
4. Master drag-and-drop with FileDock
Tired of downloading an image just to share it in another app? FileDock is your new best friend. It’s a temporary holding area that lives in the smart sidebar. You can touch and hold an image or a piece of text from any app, drag it over to the FileDock, and then switch to another app to drop it in. No more saving to your gallery first.
- To enable it, head to Settings >> Accessibility & Convenience >> Smart Sidebar and toggle on File Dock.
5. Launch apps from your fingerprint sensor
A fan-favorite OnePlus feature makes a return on the Nord 5. Quick Launch lets you open apps or trigger functions without ever leaving the lock screen.
- First, enable it in Settings >> Accessibility & Convenience >> Quick Launch.
- You can assign up to five different app or function shortcuts.
- To use it, just keep your finger on the in-display fingerprint sensor after the phone unlocks. The Quick Launch menu will appear, and you can slide your finger to the shortcut you want to open.
6. Your screen isn’t at its sharpest by default
To save a bit of battery, OnePlus ships the Nord 5 with its screen resolution set to a standard FHD+ (2344×1080). But the panel is capable of a sharper 2640×1216. The difference is immediately noticeable, making text and images crisper.
- Head to Settings >> Display & Brightness >> Screen Resolution.
- Switch the setting from “Standard” to “High.”
7. Keep your screen on with just a look
We’ve all been there: you’re reading a recipe or a long article, and the screen frustratingly dims and turns off every 30 seconds. Screen Attention uses the front-facing camera to see if you’re looking at the phone. As long as it detects your face, the screen will stay awake.
- Turn it on by going to Settings >> Display & Brightness >> Screen Attention.
8. Let AI search your documents
The global search feature (activated by swiping down on the home screen) is more than just an app launcher. It’s integrated with AI that can look inside the documents stored on your phone. You can ask it a question like, “What was the key takeaway from the Q3 report?” and it will scan the relevant PDF and give you an answer. It’s like having a personal search assistant for your own files.
9. Give your lock screen a real makeover
You can do a lot more than just change your wallpaper. The Nord 5 has a ton of lock screen templates and customization options that let you change the clock style, shortcuts, and overall layout to match your vibe.
- Go to Settings >> Wallpaper & Style >> More themes.
- From here, you can browse and apply preset templates or customize individual elements to create your own.
10. Use AI to fix your photos
The Nord 5’s 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor is pretty capable, but OnePlus has also baked some powerful AI editing tools directly into the Gallery app that feel a lot like Google’s Magic Editor. You can remove unwanted people or objects from a photo, intelligently reframe a shot, or boost details in an instant.
- Open an image in the Gallery app.
- Tap Edit, then select AI Edit.
- From there, you can choose from tools like AI Eraser and AI Recompose. The results can be surprisingly good.
Final Thoughts
On paper, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a compelling package of flagship-grade specs in a mid-range body. But as these features show, the phone’s true potential isn’t just in its processor or camera hardware; it’s in the surprisingly deep and useful software layer.
It’s one thing to have a fast chip and a great screen, but it’s these thoughtful, AI-powered conveniences — the kind of stuff that genuinely saves you time and effort — that elevate the day-to-day experience. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher why some of the best features, like the sharper screen resolution and FileDock, are hidden away or turned off by default.
But take 30 minutes to dig into the settings and enable these tools, and you’ll transform the Nord 5 from just another capable Android phone into a genuinely smart and personal device that feels like it’s working for you. And in a crowded market, that’s a trick that matters more than any spec sheet.
