Step-by-Step Guide to Rotating Your iPhone Screen

Updated on July 10, 2025, by ITarian

You’re trying to watch a video in landscape mode or rotate an app for better visibility—but your screen just won’t flip. Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever asked how to rotate screen on iPhone, you’re in good company. Whether you’re using your phone for work, remote management tools, or media, understanding your iPhone screen rotation settings can save time and boost productivity.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

How to enable auto rotate on iPhone
Where to find rotation settings
How to fix screen won’t rotate issues
Tips for controlling screen orientation like a pro

How to Rotate Screen on iPhone: The Basics

The screen on your iPhone rotates automatically—when everything is set up correctly.

Basic Steps to Rotate Your iPhone Screen:

Hold your iPhone in landscape orientation
Make sure Portrait Orientation Lock is off
Open an app that supports rotation (e.g., Safari, YouTube)
Your screen should automatically rotate

Still stuck? Let’s go deeper.

Enable Auto Rotate iPhone via Control Center

Most rotation issues are caused by the orientation lock being accidentally enabled.

To Enable Auto Rotate:

Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and newer)
OR swipe up from the bottom (older models)
Tap the lock with circular arrow icon (Portrait Orientation Lock)
Make sure the icon is not highlighted

Once this is off, your screen should rotate based on how you hold your device.

iPhone Screen Rotation Settings: Where to Look

Although iOS doesn’t offer advanced rotation settings like Android, some apps and features allow rotation customization.

Here’s what you can control:

Control Center: Enable/disable orientation lock
Display Zoom (Settings > Display & Brightness): If set to “Zoomed”, rotation may be limited
Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch: Offers rotation options for custom gestures
App-specific limitations: Some apps (e.g., Home Screen, Instagram) don’t support rotation

Pro Tip: iPads offer more flexibility with rotation—keep that in mind if managing both devices across your team or organization.

Fix iPhone Screen Won’t Rotate: Troubleshooting Guide

If your screen still won’t rotate, try these proven fixes.

1. Restart Your iPhone

Hold the Side button and volume button → Slide to power off
Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on
Test rotation again

2. Close and Reopen the App

Some apps don’t rotate at all
Swipe up and close the app from multitasking view
Reopen it and try rotating again

3. Turn Off Display Zoom

Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > View
Change from Zoomed to Standard
Restart your phone

4. Update iOS

Go to Settings > General > Software Update
An outdated system can cause rotation bugs

5. Use AssistiveTouch for Manual Rotation

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch
Enable AssistiveTouch
Tap the AssistiveTouch icon → Device → Rotate Screen

Screen Rotation for IT Teams and Business Users

Why does this matter for enterprise users or IT pros?

Use Cases:

Remote presentations: Rotate screen to share full-width slides
Cybersecurity monitoring tools: Better UI layout in landscape mode
Virtual desktops: Some mobile workspace apps work best in landscape
Video conferencing: Adjust screen for optimal viewing in apps like Zoom or Teams

Managing devices across your organization? MDM tools can enforce or lock rotation settings as part of policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why won’t my iPhone screen rotate?

Most likely, Portrait Orientation Lock is enabled. Swipe to open Control Center and turn it off.

2. Do all apps support screen rotation?

No. Apps like Instagram, Home Screen, and some banking apps are locked to portrait mode.

3. Can I lock my iPhone in landscape mode?

Not directly via settings, but some apps let you remain in landscape until you close or switch apps.

4. Does Display Zoom affect rotation?

Yes. If Display Zoom is set to “Zoomed”, some iPhones disable rotation, especially on the Home screen.

5. How do I rotate my screen using AssistiveTouch?

Enable AssistiveTouch under Accessibility, then tap the AssistiveTouch button > Device > Rotate Screen.

Final Thoughts: Mastering iPhone Screen Rotation

Whether you’re multitasking on your phone or setting up devices across your business, knowing how to rotate screen on iPhone gives you more control over how you work.

From enabling auto-rotate to troubleshooting orientation lock issues, you now have all the tools you need.