How To Rotate My Iphone Screen

You're turning your iPhone sideways, but the screen won't rotate. It's a frustrating problem, but don't worry: The solution is just a swipe and a tap away. In this article, I'll explain why your iPhone won't rotate and how to fix the problem.

Why Won't My iPhone Rotate?

Your iPhone won't rotate because Portrait Orientation Lock is turned on. Portrait Orientation Lock locks your iPhone's display in the upright position, which is known as portrait mode.

How Do I Know If Portrait Orientation Lock Is Turned On?

Some older iOS updates used to display a small lock icon in the upper right corner of the screen to indicate that Portrait Orientation Lock was turned on. However, newer iPhones and iOS updates no longer display this detail from the home screen.

Instead, you need to open the Control Center to monitor and adjust your Portrait Orientation Lock. Keep reading to learn exactly how to do this!

How Do I Turn Off Portrait Orientation Lock On My iPhone?

To turn off Portrait Orientation Lock, swipe up from the bottom of the display to reveal Control Center. Tap the button with the lock inside the arrow circle to turn Portrait Orientation Lock on or off.

If you use an iPhone X or later, the process to open the Control Center is a little different. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen. You should see a number of buttons here. Tap the one that looks like a lock surrounded by an arrow to turn the Portrait Orientation Lock on or off.

Portrait Mode vs. Landscape Mode

Just like your printer paper, your iPhone's display has two orientations: Portrait and landscape. When your iPhone is held upright, it's in portrait mode. When it's on its side, it's in landscape mode.

iPhone In Portrait Mode

iPhone In Landscape Mode

Landscape Mode Only Works In Certain Apps

When an app is created, the developer has the option to choose whether their app will work in portrait mode, landscape mode, or both. The Settings app, for example, only works in portrait mode. The Messages app and Safari work in both portrait and landscape mode, and many games work only in landscape mode.

If Portrait Orientation Lock is turned off and an app isn't rotating, it may not support landscape mode. I have seen cases, however, where an app won't rotate because it crashed. If you think that may have happened, close out your apps, reopen the problem app, and try again. I've also written an article about why despite what you may have heard, closing out your apps is absolutely a good idea.

When Should I Use Portrait Orientation Lock?

I use Portrait Orientation Lock when I'm rotated too. For example, When I'm using my iPhone in bed, the screen tends to rotate when I don't want it to. Portrait Orientation Lock keeps my iPhone display in the right direction when I'm laying down.

I've also found it useful when I'm showing pictures to my friends. As I'm astounding them with photos of my adventures, they often become ill and excuse themselves – due to the rotating screen, of course. With Portrait Orientation Lock turned on, I can entertain them for hours on end.

I'm Pickin' Up Good Rotations

Whether you're watching a movie, listening to the Beach Boys, surfing the web, or you like to type using the keyboard in landscape mode, it's always annoying when your iPhone screen won't rotate. Now that you know why it happens, you'll never struggle with Portrait Orientation Lock again.