Last Update date : Jul 22. 2021
If your Galaxy phone will not stop rotating its screen, or, on the other hand, if it does not rotate at all, do not panic. Your device comes with screen rotation settings built right in. It is just a matter of making sure you have the correct settings in place. You can make your device's screen rotate freely with Auto rotate, or lock it in one position using either Portrait or Landscape mode.
Note:Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary for smartphones sold in other countries.
Turn Auto rotate, Portrait, or Landscape mode on or off
There are three different icons used for changing your screen orientation: Auto rotate, Portrait, and Landscape.
- Auto rotate:Allows your device’s screen orientation to automatically adjust and rotate depending on how you are holding your device. For example, if you turn your device sideways, the screen will automatically switch to Landscape mode. The Auto rotate icon looks like a small phone surrounded by two arrows. The icon will glow blue when enabled.
- Portrait or Landscape mode:Portrait locks the screen in the upwards position, while Landscape locks the screen in the sideways position. Both icons look like a lock and are gray when enabled. When enabled, your device's screen will not rotate based on how you are holding it, however apps that are designed for a specific mode will rotate the screen as necessary.
To adjust the screen rotation settings:
1Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.
2Look for the screen orientation icon. Depending on your settings, you may need to look for the Portrait, Landscape, or Auto Rotate icon. Remember, the Portrait and Landscape icons are gray when they're active, while the Auto Rotate icon is blue when enabled.
3If the screen is locked in Portrait or Landscape mode and you need to change it, tap the icon (either Portrait or Landscape) so it activates Auto rotate. If Auto rotate is already activated, you do not need to select anything.
4After Auto rotate is enabled, close the Quick settings panel. Next, hold your device in your desired position – either upright or sideways.
5Open Quick settings again. Whether you are holding your device upwards or sideways, swipe down from the top of the screen. Tap the Auto rotate icon to lock your device in your desired position. Remember, Portrait is when the device is upwards, and Landscape is when the device is sideways.
6Once your screen is locked in Portrait or Landscape mode, your screen will no longer rotate when you turn your device.
7To unlock your screen or change the screen orientation, repeat these same steps until you have set your desired screen position.
Note:Some apps will still open in Portrait or Landscape mode by default.
Cannot find the Auto rotate icon
Does your Quick settings panel seem to be missing the Rotate icon? There may be a simple explanation.
If the screen is locked in Portrait or Landscape, the screen orientation icon will be labeled as such. The Auto rotate icon will only appear if the Auto rotate feature is activated. If you see an icon that says Portrait or Landscape, you can tap it to enable Auto rotate. Or, you can just leave it alone if you would prefer to keep your device's screen orientation locked.
If you still cannot find the screen orientation icon, it is possible that you accidentally removed it from the Quick settings panel. But do not worry, it is easy to add back.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel. Tap theMore optionsicon (the three vertical dots), and then tapEdit buttons. Touch and hold theAuto rotateicon, and then drag it to your desired position. When you are finished, tapDone. Now the Rotate icon will be easy to reach and you can adjust your screen’s rotation settings accordingly
Have the Home screen appear in Landscape mode
By default, your device's screen will not rotate when you are on the Home screen, but you can change this. Simply go to your Home screen settings to make your Home screen rotate sideways.
To check other rotation settings, open the Quick settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen. Touch and hold theAuto rotateicon to open its settings, and then review the options for the Home screen, Lock screen, and Voice call screen. You can turn on your preferred settings by tapping theswitchesnext to them, and then tappingDone.
Note:This option is not available on Galaxy tablets.
Temporarily Lock screen when Auto rotate is enabled
Even if Auto rotate is enabled, you can temporarily lock the screen so it does not rotate. This can be helpful if you are looking at a PDF or document and want to rotate your hand or device without changing your screen orientation.
To do this, keep a finger on the screen while turning the phone or tablet. The screen will stay in its original orientation as long as you hold your finger in place. Release your finger to allow the screen to rotate.
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