How to turn your Galaxy phone's screen auto rotation on and off

Last Update date : 2021-12-12

When surfing the web or watching a video on your Galaxy phone, you can turn your phone sideways to view content comfortably. If you want the screen of your phone to rotate horizontally or vertically automatically, follow the guide below to enable the Auto rotate feature.

Before you try the recommendations below, be sure to check if your device's software and related apps are updated to the latest version. To update your mobile device's software, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Software update.

Step 2. Tap on Download and install.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Turn the Auto rotate feature on

Auto rotate allows your device's screen to automatically adjust and rotate depending on how you hold it. For example, if you turn your phone sideways, the screen will automatically switch to landscape mode. Follow the steps below to enable the Auto rotate feature.

Step 1. Swipe down on the screen to open the Quick panel.

Step 2. If a gray Portrait or Landscape mode icon is displayed, tap the gray icon to activate Auto rotate. The icon will glow blue when enabled. 

auto rotate activate

If the Auto rotate feature is already activated, you don't need to select anything.

Note: If the app you are using doesn't support an orientation, it will not change when you rotate your phone. Not all apps work in both Portrait and Landscape mode.

Lock the screen in Portrait or Landscape mode

Portrait mode holds the screen upward and Landscape mode holds the screen sideways. Both icons look like locks and are gray when enabled. When the screen is locked in Portrait or Landscape mode, the screen no longer rotates when you rotate your phone.

When you tap the active blue Auto rotate icon, the icon will switch to a gray Landscape or Portrait mode and the screen will stay that way (upward or sideways).

auto rotate lock screen orientation

If you cannot find the Auto rotate icon or the Portrait/Landscape mode icon, it may have been disabled by mistake. It is very easy to add icons back to the Quick panel. Follow the steps below to add the Auto rotate icon to the Quick panel.

auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 1 auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 1

Step 1. Swipe down on the screen to open the Quick panel.

auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 2 auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 2

Step 2. Tap More options (the three vertical dots).

auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 3 auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 3

Step 3. Tap Edit buttons.

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Step 4. Find the Auto rotate icon, and then drag it to your desired position on the Quick panel.

auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 5 auto rotate icon add to quick panel step 5

Step 5. Tap Done. Now the icon will be easy to reach and you can adjust your screen orientation accordingly.

The Home screen does not rotate to landscape mode by default, but if you prefer to view your phone sideways, you can set the Home screen to landscape mode. Follow the steps below to set your Home screen rotation.

Step 1. Launch the Settings app, and then tap Home screen.

Step 2. Tap the switch next to Rotate to landscape mode.

Step 3. Now, the Home screen will also rotate to landscape mode, once you turn your phone sideways.

auto rotate home screen sideways

You can also make your Always On Display appear in Landscape mode if you prefer. From Settings, tap Lock screen, and then tap Always On Display. Tap Screen orientation, and then tap Landscape. Now your Always On Display will always display in Landscape mode.

Note: 

  • This option may not be available on all devices.

Note: Device screenshots and menus may vary depending on the device model and software version.

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