In everyday use of an iPhone, you might sometimes find that the screen does not rotate according to the device's orientation, which can be inconvenient. The screen rotation feature allows you to comfortably view videos, browse the web, or perform other tasks from different angles. If your iPhone screen is locked in one direction, don't worry—this article will teach you how to unlock screen rotation on iPhone.
Follow the steps below to rotate the screen on your iPhone:
Rotate the screen on an iPhone without a Home button:
Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to access Control Center.
Step 2. Tap the "Portrait Orientation Lock" button to ensure it's turned off.
Step 3. Rotate your iPhone sideways to change the screen orientation.
Rotate the screen on an iPhone or iPod touch with a Home button:
Step 1. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open Control Center.
Step 2. Tap the "Portrait Orientation Lock" button to ensure it's disabled.
Step 3. Rotate your iPhone or iPod touch sideways to adjust the screen orientation.
Note: Some apps do not support screen rotation, so your screen may not rotate even if the Portrait Orientation Lock is disabled. If the screen still doesn't rotate, try using a different app, such as Safari or Messages, which is known to support landscape mode.
If your iPhone screen isn't rotating, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
Now that we understand the main reasons for a locked screen rotation. Then, how do I unlock the screen rotation on my iPhone? Here are a few methods to help you unlock iPhone screen to rotate:
A straightforward solution for a locked screen rotation is to disable the rotation lock. When turned off, the rotation lock allows your iPhone or iPad screen to switch between portrait and landscape modes. However, enabling it will fix your screen in one orientation.
Here is how to turn off the orientation lock:
Step 1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone. On iPhone X and later models, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen; on iPhone 8 and earlier models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Find the button to lock the orientation (a lock icon with an arrow around it). If the icon is red, it means the orientation lock is enabled.
Step 3. Tap the icon to turn off the orientation lock. You can verify this by checking for the "Portrait Orientation Lock: Off" message at the top of your screen.
Step 4. Try rotating the screen to see if it works properly.
Display Zoom is a handy feature on iOS devices that enlarges text and icons for easier navigation and better visibility. However, it can also lock your device's screen to a specific orientation, even if the orientation lock is disabled. To unlock screen rotation, you can turn off Display Zoom.
How do I unlock my iPhone screen rotation? Follow the steps below:
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your device and select "Display & Brightness".
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on "Display Zoom".
Step 3. On the next screen, tap "Default". This will return the text and icons to their standard size and disable Display Zoom.
Occasionally, software glitches may cause your iPhone or iPad to stop auto-rotating. This issue can occur even if the orientation lock and Display Zoom are disabled. Fortunately, restarting your iOS device can quickly fix these software problems.
The restart process varies depending on your iPhone model. Here are the steps:
For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:
For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):
For iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier:
An outdated iOS version can cause various system issues, including problems with screen rotation. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS.
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app and go to "General".
Step 2. Tap "Software Update". (iPhone software update failed?)
Step 3. If an update is available, tap "Download and Install".
If the above methods don't work, you can try resetting all settings to their default values and then reconfigure the screen rotation. Restoring settings to default will not affect the data on your iPhone.
Here is how to do it:
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app and go to "General".
Step 2. Tap "Reset" and select "Reset All Settings".
Step 3. Enter your password to confirm the action.
If you want to know the difference between Reset All Settings and Erase All Content and Settings, you can read the following article.
Reset All Settings vs Erase All Content [Informative Comparison]If the screen rotation issue is caused by an iOS system malfunction, using a professional iOS system repair tool such as iOS System Recovery can effectively resolve the problem. This software can fix various system issues, such as being stuck on the Apple logo, recovery mode loops, etc, without causing data loss.
Key features of iOS System Recovery:
Here is how to use iOS System Recovery to unlock iPhone screen to rotate:
01Download and install the program on your computer, then open it following the on-screen instructions. On the main interface, select the "iOS System Recovery" option. Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB and tap "Trust" if prompted.
02A popup will show various issues the tool can resolve. Click the "Start" button to proceed.
03Choose between "Standard Mode" or "Advanced Mode." The tool will detect your iPhone's basic information; tap "Confirm" to continue.
04Click the "Repair" button to begin downloading the firmware package and fixing your iOS device.
If your iPhone still cannot rotate the screen, it may be a hardware issue. It is recommended to contact Apple Support or schedule an appointment at an Apple Store for inspection and repair.
That's all about how to unlock screen rotation on iPhone. Screen rotation lock issues can be resolved through several simple methods, such as disabling orientation lock, restarting the device, or updating iOS, etc. If the problem persists, consider using professional tools like iOS System Recovery to fix system faults. If you suspect a hardware issue, it is advisable to contact Apple Support as soon as possible.
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