Fixed! iPhone Screen Won’t Rotate

Your iPhone screen can pivot, allowing you to view apps or the home screen (particularly on iPhone Max models) in either landscape or portrait mode. Landscape mode presents a horizontal screen orientation, while portrait mode displays the screen vertically. The rotation lock function enables you to shift between these orientations, either horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs.

However, there are times when you encounter a situation where apps like Messages or the home screen on an iPhone refuse to switch between landscape and portrait modes, leaving your iPhone screen won’t rotate. So, how can you restore the ability to rotate your iPhone screen? Here's what you can do to resolve the issue of your iPhone screen not rotating.

Part 1. Why won’t my iPhone screen rotate?

iPhone won’t rotate screen can result from kinds of reasons. Before we explore the solutions to fix it, it's crucial to understand the potential reasons behind this problem. Several factors could be responsible for this inconvenience.

⛔ Screen rotation lock
One of the most common reasons your iPhone's screen won't rotate is due to the screen rotation lock being enabled.

⛔ App-specific settings
Some apps come with their own screen rotation settings, and they may override the global setting on your iPhone. This can lead to situations where the screen rotates in one app but not in another.

⛔ Device orientation
The orientation of your iPhone can also impact screen rotation. If your iPhone orientation sensor is malfunctioning or stuck, it may not correctly detect when you tilt your iPhone. This could result in your iPhone screen not rotating even when it should.

⛔ Software glitches & physical damage
Like any other digital device, if your iPhone encounter software glitches or physical damage, some of your iPhone functions and internal components will stop working, which may be responsible for iPhone screen rotation.

Part 2. Troubleshooting iPhone screen won’t rotate

If you're facing the frustrating issue of your iPhone screen not rotating, there are several troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the problem. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get your screen rotation back to normal.

1# Check the screen rotation lock

Let’s start by checking if the screen rotation lock is enabled. Chances are that the Portrait Orientation Lock is turned on. This lock can prevent the screen from switching orientations. To resolve this, simply access the Control Center and re-enable the Portrait Orientation Lock. You can follow the steps outlined below to turn off this lock.

Go to the Control Center on your iPhone, and locate the Portrait Orientation Lock button beside the Do not Disturb button. As the picture shown below, the left shows the lock is on, and the right one shows the lock is off.

2# Disable Display Zoomed

If you've confirmed that the Portrait Orientation Lock is not the issue, and your iPhone screen still refuses to rotate when you turn it sideways, it's worth checking if the Display Zoom feature is enabled. This setting might interfere with the rotation of your iPhone.

Please be noted that this solution can be applied to iPhone max and plus models with extra-large screens. So, if your iPhone 13/14/15 Pro Max screen won’t rotate, follow the steps below to check and disable Display Zoom.

Step 1. Open iPhone Settings > Choose Display & Brightness > Tap View under DISPLAY ZOOM.

Step 2. Check Standard and tap Set > Tap Use Standard to confirm your operation.

Your iPhone will restart automatically. After that, you can check whether your iPhone gets rotation again.

3# Check if the app supports screen rotation

By disabling both the Portrait Orientation Lock and the Display Zoom feature, you can often resolve the issue of iPhones not rotating as they should. But if still, your iPhone screen won’t rotate when watching video in certain apps, maybe you need to check whether the app you used supports the screen rotation feature.

As mentioned earlier, in most iPhone models, the home screen doesn't support rotation and remains in portrait mode. The exception to this is the larger iPhone Max/Plus models.  

Additionally, it's worth noting that some apps are intentionally designed to function only in one orientation, typically in portrait mode. Examples of such apps include Voice Memos and the App Store.

4# Force restart your iPhone

A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches and refresh your iPhone. Just follow the steps to force restart your iPhone to get rid of iPhone screen rotation issue.

For iPhone 8 and later with Face ID:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:
Press and hold the Top button and Volume Down button together > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6s, SE and earlier with Home button:
Hold down the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

5# Reset all settings

If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This won't erase your data but will reset all your preferences and settings, which might help resolve any misconfigurations causing the screen rotation problem.

Go to the Settings app on iPhone > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings > Enter your passcode, and tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.

6# Update iOS to the latest version

Outdated software can lead to various problems, including screen rotation issues. Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be a frustrating issue that iPhone screen won’t rotation, but it's typically solvable through a combination of software and settings adjustments. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the problem, getting your screen rotation back to normal and enjoying the full potential of your iPhone once more.

If all else fails, don't hesitate to seek assistance from Apple's customer support or a professional service center to address any underlying hardware concerns.