OnePlus phones now receiving Google Assistant’s Ambient Mode feature

OnePlus is now rolling out the new Ambient Mode for Google Assistant on its smartphones. The new mode was first introduced by Google with the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab and the  Smart Tab M8. Google Assistant’s Ambient Mode option is enabled when a supported device is plugged in for charging and it basically enables a smart display like UI. Users will be shown notifications and information from various apps in a slightly more prominent manner in this mode. One will also be able to control their music, smart home devices and turn their phone into a digital photo frame. OnePlus 3 and above phones are now receiving the new mode in a phased manner. 

It should be noted that the rollout is staged, which means some users might get the feature before others. Google Assistant’s Ambient Mode is compatible with devices running Android 8 and above. The new mode was announced with the Lenovo Smart Tab M8 HD and Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab tablets last year when they are docked for charging. Later, it was rolled out for some Nokia smartphones like the Nokia  6.1, Nokia 6.1 Plus, Nokia 7.1, Nokia 8.1, and more. You can check out the entire list here. Also, check out the video below to get a gist of how the new mode works. 

After one receives the update, one needs to head over to Settings to activate the new mode. Go over to Settings and access Account Services in the Google option. Here, under Search, navigate to Assistant & Voice, tap on Google Assistant, then Assistant and scroll down to Assistant device to find the option ‘Phone’. The option, if enabled for your device, will be listed here. Alternatively, when one plugs in their OnePlus handset, they should receive a notification that should take you through the setup process.