Google Assistant Ambient Mode Arriving On OnePlus Phones

OnePlus’ Oxygen operating system is widely regarded as the best Android experience in a world where Google’s Pixel smartphones exist. There are several reasons for this, including the material side of things. A very large part of this is also OnePlus’ approach to software. Oxygen OS is very open to Android, adopting new features and receiving updates. One of these new features, Google Assistant ambient mode, is now deployed on OnePlus devices.

Originally, Google announced ambient mode functionality at IFA 2019 in September. At the time, it was only available on certain Nokia and Lenovo devices other than Google’s Pixel phones. In November, the update rolled out to even more Android devices. Now, OnePlus has announced that OnePlus phones, starting with the OnePlus 3, will also receive an ambient mode update from Google Assistant.

This update will not be available as an Oxygen OS update, however, as it does not need it. To ensure maximum reach and for other commercial reasons, Google has integrated the Assistant into the Google app instead of Android. So the update could just happen in the form of a Google app update or it could just be a switch from Google’s server-side switch. Either way, OnePlus says it will be a staged rollout, so you may not see it on your phone for a week.

How to activate Google Assistant ambient mode

• To check if you’ve received or activate the ambient mode update from Google Assistant, launch the Google app on your OnePlus phone.
• Then go to More > settings > Google Assistant. This brings you to the Google Assistant settings.
• Goto the Assistant tab and scroll down to Assistant devices and select Phone.
• You should find the Ambient Mode option here if the update has been deployed to your device.

You can follow a more detailed tutorial if you need it with screenshots here.