While it makes sense to keep your iPhone’s screen formatted vertically most of the time, there are times when rotating to landscape formatting becomes essential. It’s not always ideal to use the standard iPhone screen formatting when watching Netflix, viewing high-resolution images, or playing a game.
Fortunately, rotating your screen on your iPhone is a simple procedure that should only take a few seconds. Here is all you should know.
Short Answer
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center, then rotate the screen. Tap the icon that has a circular arrow and a padlock in it. This allows you to change the screen orientation. Tilt your phone slightly and the screen will rotate. If you want, you can tap the Control Center icon again to lock the screen and prevent it from moving.
How to Lock or Unlock iPhone or iPad Screen Rotation
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the home screen to rotate your screen. This launches Control Center.
- Look for the icon with a circular arrow and a padlock inside. That is the screen lock feature.
- Tap it to change the orientation of the screen. Portrait Orientation Lock: Off will now appear at the top of the screen.
- Tilt your phone slightly to change the screen from landscape to portrait mode (depending on what it was before). If you want, you can now tap the screen lock icon again to secure the new screen orientation. But you are not required to do so if you do not wish to.
How to Rotate Screen on iPhone Using the Control Center:
#1. Turn on your iPhone
This can be accomplished by pressing the side button. Raise to Wake is a feature on newer iPhones that allows you to wake the phone by lifting it.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of an iPhone X or later. Swipe up on iPhones with a home button.
#3. Select the Padlock Icon
This is located beneath the Wi-Fi icon on the iPhone X and later. This will be on the right side of the icon list on iPhones with a home button.
If the icon is highlighted, Portrait Orientation Lock is enabled. If it’s highlighted, tap it again to deactivate it.
Although you cannot rotate an iPhone’s home screen, you can rotate the screen in most apps.
Some apps will not support landscape switching. Similarly, any apps that use a forced screen rotation (including the majority of App Store games) cannot be rotated back.
#5. Rotate your iPhone 90 degrees left or Right
This should immediately cause your screen to follow. If you’re using a rotation-enabled app, it should now be in landscape mode.
- If you reactivate the Portrait Orientation Lock while the phone is in landscape mode, the screen will return to portrait mode regardless of how you hold it.
- If you want to switch freely between landscape and portrait modes, leave the Portrait Orientation Lock turned off.
- If you want your iPhone to stay in portrait mode regardless of position, turn it back on.
How to Rotate Screen on iPhone Using AssistiveTouch
The grey cog icon is shown here.
If you are unable to swipe down or press the home button, use this method.
#2. Select Accessibility
This is located in the third group of options, just below the Home Screen.
#3. Tap Touch
This will appear next to a blue background-pointing finger icon.
#4. Select AssistiveTouch
This will be displayed at the top of the page.
#5. Toggle on the “AssistiveTouch” Icon
When this option is enabled, a button will appear on your home screen. Tap and drag the button to change the position.
#6. Select Double-Tap
This is located beneath the Custom Actions header. Long Press and Single-Tap are also options.
#7. Tap Lock Rotation
This turns your double-tap (or long press/single-tap) into the Lock Rotation button.
Although you cannot rotate an iPhone’s home screen, you can rotate the screen in most apps.
#9. Tap the AssistiveTouch circle twice
If you chose single-tap or long press instead, perform the appropriate touch instead.
Rotate your iPhone 90 degrees left or right.
This should immediately cause your screen to follow. If you’re using a rotation-enabled app, it should now be in landscape mode.
Double-tap the AssistiveTouch circle if the screen isn’t turning.
Why Won’t My iPhone Screen Rotate?
Despite doing all of the above, the screen will occasionally refuse to rotate. If this happens to you, there are a few simple things you can do to fix it.
#1. Restart the app after quitting it
If an app will not rotate after you have unlocked the screen orientation, the app has most likely crashed. The simple solution, in this case, is to quit and restart the app.
Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen until you see thumbnails for each open app. Then, swipe up on the app thumbnail you want to close. Once that’s done, reopen the app to relaunch it.
#2. Reboot your phone or tablet
If that does not help, try restarting your phone. Most people rarely turn off their phones these days, so perhaps the device needs a soft reboot.
Unless you have an extremely old iPhone, you can restart it by simultaneously pressing the volume down and power buttons. When you see an on-screen prompt to slide to power off, do so.
#3. Restore the phone to its factory settings
In the extremely unlikely event that the screen rotation still does not work, it will be a sign of a more serious problem with the phone. In this case, the best solution would be to ensure that you have an up-to-date iCloud backup, then reset the phone from scratch.
#4. Check to see if the app is supported
Screen rotation is not supported by all iOS apps, including the App Store. This means they will only appear in portrait or landscape mode, never both. Check other apps if the app isn’t rotating. If the other apps rotate normally, the previous app most likely does not support screen rotation.
You should update your iPhone. If you’re having problems with the Portrait Orientation Lock, your device may need to be updated. Before you update, make sure your iPhone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
#5. Contact Apple Support
If you’ve restarted your device and turned off Screen Rotation Lock but your screen still won’t rotate, it’s time to contact Apple Support. Your phone may have a faulty accelerometer or another problem that requires the assistance of a professional. The first step in resolving the issue is to take your phone to an Apple store or an authorized Apple repair shop.
- How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone 2023, Explained (+ Free Tips)
- LANDSCAPING APPS: Top 11 Best Landscape Design Apps
- How to Turn On iPhone 13: Detailed Guide
- How to Rotate Screen on a Chromebook in 3 Easy Steps
- How to Rotate Screen on Chromebook: Detailed Guide + Free Tips
References
