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Rotating your iPhone screen is essential for different moments, including watching videos, playing games, and reading documents in landscape mode. By following the methods explained here, you can rotate your iPhone screen whenever the need arises.

3 Methods to Rotate the iPhone Screen

Rotating the screen on an iPhone allows you to view content in either portrait or landscape orientation. Here are 3 different methods you can use to rotate your screen on an iPhone:

1. Control Center Rotation Lock

Control Center Rotation Lock is a convenient feature on your iPhone that allows you to lock the screen rotation in either portrait or landscape mode. It’s useful when you want to keep your iPhone screen fixed in either portrait or landscape mode, depending on your preference or the task at hand. These tasks could be watching videos, playing games, or reading documents.

Here’s how to use the Control Center Rotation Lock:

#1: Access Control Center

• To use the Control Center Rotation Lock, access the Control Center on your iPhone.
• If you have an iPhone X or a later model, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen. This action will bring down the Control Center from the top-right edge of your screen.
• If you own an earlier iPhone model, swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen to open the Control Center.

#2: Locate the Rotation Lock Icon

• In the Control Center, look for the “Rotation Lock” icon. It resembles a lock-shaped arrow with a circular arrow around it.
• This icon is on the top row of icons within the Control Center.

#3: Enable or Disable Rotation Lock

• Once you’ve located the “Rotation Lock” icon, tap it to enable or disable screen rotation.
• When the icon is grayed out, rotation is locked, meaning your screen will stay in its current orientation, whether portrait or landscape.
• When the icon is highlighted, rotation is unlocked, allowing your iPhone screen to rotate freely based on its physical orientation.

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2. Portrait Orientation Lock

Portrait Orientation Lock is another valuable feature on your iPhone that can keep your screen fixed in portrait mode, regardless of how you hold your device. This feature is handy when you want to prevent your screen from automatically switching to landscape mode, which can happen when you tilt your iPhone. Whether you’re reading, browsing the web, or prefer to use your device in portrait mode, Portrait Orientation Lock is perfect.

Here’s how to enable and use Portrait Orientation Lock in your iPhone’s Settings:

#1: Access the Settings App

Begin by unlocking your iPhone and locating the Settings app on your home screen. The settings app usually appears like a gearwheel icon.

#2: Navigate to Display & Brightness

In the Settings app, scroll down until you find “Display & Brightness.” This option controls different aspects of your iPhone’s display settings, including screen rotation.

#3: Toggle Portrait Orientation Lock

Within the “Display & Brightness” section, look for the “Portrait Orientation Lock” toggle switch. It’s usually located below the brightness slider.

#4: Enable or Disable Portrait Orientation Lock

To activate Portrait Orientation Lock and fix your screen in portrait mode, tap the toggle switch next to it. When it’s enabled, you’ll notice a lock icon (a padlock with a circular arrow around it) appearing in the status bar at the top of your screen.

Conversely, if you wish to allow screen rotation again, tap the toggle switch again to disable Portrait Orientation Lock. The lock icon will disappear from the status bar, indicating that your iPhone can now rotate freely based on its physical orientation.

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3. AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch is a built-in accessibility iPhone feature that provides a customizable on-screen menu that gives you quick access to many features, including screen rotation.

Here is a guide on how to use AssistiveTouch to rotate your iPhone screen:

#1: Enable AssistiveTouch

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Accessibility.
• Tap Touch.
• Scroll down and tap AssistiveTouch.
• Toggle on the AssistiveTouch switch.

#2: Tap the AssistiveTouch button

The AssistiveTouch button is a floating white button that will appear on the edge of your screen.

#3: Tap Device > More > Gestures > Pinch and Rotate

This will open a screen where you can perform the Pinch and Rotate gesture to rotate your screen.

#4: Place two fingers on the screen and rotate them around each other

Place two fingers on the screen and rotate them around each other to rotate the screen. The screen will rotate in the direction that you rotate your fingers.

Related: How to Easily Move Apps on iPhone

How to Fix an iPhone Screen That Won’t Rotate

If your iPhone screen refuses to rotate, it can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re trying to view content in landscape mode. However, you can troubleshoot and fix this issue with some straightforward solutions.

Here’s how to fix an iPhone screen that won’t rotate:

1. Turn off screen rotation lock

• Check if your screen rotation is locked, preventing it from turning sideways.
• Swipe up from the bottom edge of your iPhone screen to access the Control Center.
• Look for the “Rotation Lock” icon (a lock-shaped arrow with a circular arrow around it) in the top row of icons.
• Tap the icon to enable or disable screen rotation. If it’s highlighted, your rotation is unlocked, allowing the screen to rotate freely.

2. Check if screen rotation works on other apps

• Some apps don’t support landscape mode, so be sure to test with apps that do.
• Launch an app that should work in landscape mode (e.g., games like Super Mario or Need for Speed) to see if the screen rotates correctly.

3. Turn off Display Zoom

• The Display Zoom feature can interfere with screen rotation.
• Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
• Tap “View” under the Display Zoom option.
• Switch from “Zoomed” to “Standard” mode.
• Confirm your choice by tapping “Set” and then “Use Standard” if prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Rotate the iPhone Screen

Conclusion: How to rotate the iPhone screen

Rotating your iPhone screen is a simple yet essential function that enhances the user experience. In this guide, we discussed three different methods to achieve screen rotation on your iPhone. Whether you’re using the Control Center, Portrait Orientation Lock in Settings, or utilizing AssistiveTouch, you can easily rotate your iPhone screen. However, if you encounter difficulties rotating your screen, you can turn off the screen rotation lock, check if the app supports rotation, or turn off display zoom.