If you own a Vivo smartphone, there’s a good chance you’re only using about half of what it can actually do. Most people stick to the basics—calls, camera, apps—and never dig deeper into what the phone offers. That’s fair. Vivo’s Funtouch OS is packed with settings and tools that aren’t exactly advertised on the box.
This guide walks you through some of the most useful hidden features in vivo phones that can genuinely change how you use your device every day. Whether you have a Vivo V series, Y series, or a flagship X model, many of these tips will apply to your phone.
Top 10 Hidden Features in Vivo phones
1. Smart Split Screen for Multitasking Like a Pro
One of the most underused hidden features on in vivo phones is the split-screen mode. It lets you run two apps side by side—handy when you want to watch a video while replying to messages or check a recipe while browsing your grocery list.
How to activate it:
- Open the first app you want to use
- Tap and hold the Recent Apps button (the square icon)
- Choose “Split Screen” from the options.
- Select the second app from your recent apps or app drawer.
You can drag the divider between the two windows to resize them. Not every app supports this feature, but most social media, messaging, and productivity apps do. Once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
2. Hidden Gestures That Save You Time Every Day
Vivo phones come with a range of gesture controls that most users never bother to set up. These are among the most practical secret tips for Vivo phones, especially if you want faster access to apps and features.
Back of Phone Knocking
On many Vivo models, you can set a double-knock or triple-knock on the back of the phone to trigger an action, like launching the camera, turning on the flashlight, or taking a screenshot. Go to Settings > Smart & Shortcuts > Smart Motion to explore and enable these.
Draw a Letter to Launch an App
Vivo’s “Smart Motion” section also lets you draw shapes or letters on a dark screen to open specific apps. For example, drawing a “C” can launch the camera without unlocking the phone. This works even when the screen is off, which makes it genuinely useful.
Three-Finger Screenshot
Instead of pressing the power and volume buttons together, swipe down with three fingers. It’s faster and much more reliable. You can also hold down three fingers on the screen to capture a scrolling screenshot of an entire webpage or conversation.
Read this: 6 Hidden iPhone Camera Features You Must Try
3. Clone App: Run Two Accounts at Once
If you use two WhatsApp accounts, two Instagram profiles, or two versions of any social app, Vivo’s Clone App feature is something you need to know about.
Where to find it: Go to Settings > Special Features > App Clone.
Once you enable cloning for an app, a second version appears on your home screen. Each clone is completely separate—different logins, different notifications, and different data. This is incredibly useful for keeping work and personal accounts on the same device without constantly logging in and out.
4. Game Mode: More Than Just “Do Not Disturb.”
Most people know Vivo phones have a Game Mode, but few realize just how much it can do beyond muting notifications.
To access it: Open the Game Cube app or go to Settings > Special Features > Game Mode.
Inside, you’ll find options to
- Block calls and notifications during gameplay
- Optimize CPU performance to reduce lag.
- Lock the screen brightness so it doesn’t change mid-game.
- Enable 4D vibration feedback for supported games.
- Record or stream gameplay directly from the phone.
There’s also a floating toolbar that appears during games. Swipe in from the side to access it without leaving the game. From there, you can check messages, browse quickly, or capture screenshots—all without exiting.
5. Smart Scene Battery Modes You’re Probably Not Using
Battery anxiety is real. Vivo phones have more granular battery control than most users realize, and using the right mode can add hours to your day.
Where to look: Settings > Battery > Battery Mode
Beyond the standard Balanced and Power Saving modes, look for:
- Super Power Saving Mode—Limits the phone to only essential apps (calls, messages, and a few key apps). Great when you’re at 10% and nowhere near a charger.
- Custom Mode—Lets you set exactly which apps run in the background and which don’t. You can keep your navigation app running while stopping everything else.
- Scheduled Charging — Tells the phone not to charge past 80% until a specific time, reducing long-term battery wear. Look for this under Battery > Charging.
These hidden features in vivo phones aren’t obvious, but they make a real difference over months of use.
Read this: Top Tricks to Extend Battery Life on Mobile Devices
6. Screen Recording With Internal Audio
A lot of Vivo users don’t realize their phone has a built-in screen recorder that captures internal audio, meaning the sound from the app itself, not just the microphone.
To start a recording:
- Swipe down the notification panel.
- Tap the Screen Recording icon (you may need to add it via the edit button).
- Before starting, tap the audio icon to switch between mic audio, system audio, or both.
This is particularly useful for recording gameplay, saving video calls, or making tutorial videos. The recordings save directly to your gallery in high quality.
7. Floating Window: Use Any App Without Switching Screens
This is one of the more powerful secret tips for Vivo phones that rarely gets mentioned. Floating Window lets you open an app in a small, draggable window that floats above whatever you’re already doing.
How to use it:
- Open Recent Apps
- Long-press on any app icon at the top of the card.
- Select “Floating Window.”
The app opens in a small bubble. You can resize it, move it anywhere on screen, or minimize it to a floating icon while you use other apps. It’s excellent for keeping a calculator, messaging app, or browser snippet open alongside another task.
8. Privacy and App Lock Features Worth Knowing
Vivo phones include several built-in privacy tools that are more useful than third-party alternatives.
App Lock Without Third-Party Apps
Go to Settings > Fingerprint, Face & Password > App Lock. You can lock individual apps behind your fingerprint, face, or PIN. This is separate from your main screen lock and works even if someone else is using your phone.
Private Space
Some Vivo models include a Private Space—a completely separate, hidden environment with its own apps and data. It’s like having a second phone within your phone. Access it by going to Settings > Privacy > Private Space.
Read this: 10 Hidden Android Features You Should Start Using Today
One-Hand Mode
For those with larger vivo models, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > One-Hand Mode. Enable it and set a gesture to shrink the screen to one corner. Makes typing and reaching the top of the screen much easier when you’re on the go.
9. Quick Launch Shortcuts From the Lock Screen
You don’t always need to fully unlock your phone to get things done quickly. Vivo’s lock screen shortcuts let you swipe to specific apps directly.
To customize them: Settings > Lock Screen > Quick Access.
From here, you can assign swipe directions to specific apps or functions—like opening the camera with a left swipe or the flashlight with a right swipe. Saves a surprising amount of time across the course of a day.
10. Sound Assistant: Fine-Tune Your Audio Experience
Vivo’s Sound Assistant is a hidden gem for anyone who cares about audio quality. Find it under Settings > Sound & Vibration > Sound Assistant or via the app drawer on some models.
Here you can:
- Set different volume levels per app (music louder than notifications, for example).
- Enable Ultra Game Sound for richer in-game audio.
- Create customized audio profiles for different earphone types.
- Schedule Silent Mode for specific hours automatically.
This level of audio control normally requires a third-party app. On Vivo phones, it’s built right in.
Get More From Your Vivo Phone
Most smartphone users stick with the default settings they first set up and never look back. But the hidden features in vivo phones listed here are genuinely designed to make your experience smoother, faster, and more personalized. From multitasking with floating windows to protecting your privacy with App Lock, these aren’t gimmicks—they’re practical tools you’ll use regularly once you know they exist.
Start with two or three from this list and get comfortable with them. Then come back and try a few more. Your Vivo phone has more in it than you think.