How to auto rotate or fix screen rotation on your Galaxy phone

Galaxy devices feature an internal accelerometer that can determine which way round it is held. Different apps are compatible with different orientations and some can be used in both portrait and landscape mode. If auto rotate is turned on the screen will automatically rotate as you move your device.

If you are having trouble using auto rotate, we recommend completing the following checks.

Please note: not all apps work in both portrait and landscape mode. If the app you're using doesn't support an orientation, it will not change when you move your device

1 Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open your quick settings
2 Tap Portrait or Landscape to turn auto rotate on

Please note: when the auto rotate feature is turned off it will be displayed as Portrait or Landscape. It will be displayed as Auto rotate, and turn blue when active

Auto rotate icon displayed

If you are touching your screen while turning your device, it will not rotate. Make sure that you're not touching the screen and try turning your device again.

Please note: not all apps work in both portrait and landscape. For example, some games are designed to only work in portrait mode. If the app doesn't support an orientation, it will not rotate

Issues with your device can often be fixed by restarting your device. Turn your device off, then turn it on again and check to see if your issue has been resolved.

Software updates are released regularly. It's recommended to keep your device software up to date. Your device will send you a notification when there is an update available, but you can also check in your settings.

1 Open the Settings app
2 Tap Software update
Software update selected in Settings on Galaxy smartphone
3 If your device needs updating, tap Download and install
Download and install selected in Software update on Galaxy smartphone
4 Once your device has been updated, check to see if your issue has been resolved

You can use the Samsung Members app to perform a series of automatic checks on your device to ensure that everything is working correctly.

1 Open the Samsung Members app
2 Tap Get help
3 Tap Automatic checks

Your device will run some checks to make sure that everything is working. If there are any issues with the sensors in your device, this could be causing your issue. Follow the suggested steps, or take your device to a Samsung service centre for further assistance.

Safe mode can be used as a diagnostic tool that lets you run your device at the basic interface without any third-party apps. This helps to determine if the issue you are facing is due to an installed app.

1 Press and hold the power button or button combination you use to turn off your device until the power off screen appears
2 Tap and hold the Power off icon until the option for Safe mode appears
3 Tap Safe mode
4 Your device will restart and open in Safe mode. Open an app that lets you rotate the screen

The accelerometer in your phone is a small set of circuits that detect every movement your phone makes. If you believe that your accelerometer may be damaged, you can perform a test to check how it is functioning.

Please note: to exit the diagnostic tool, you will need to tap the back button twice

1 Open the Phone app
Phone icon selected on the home screen on Galaxy smartphone
2 Dial *#0*#
3 Tap Sensor
Sensor selected on Galaxy smartphone
4 Place your phone on a flat surface, then rotate it from one side to the other. If the accelerometer is working correctly, the x-angle, y-angle, and z-angle values will change

Please note: if you aren't seeing any changes as you move your device, please take your device to a Samsung Service Centre, or book a repair

Sensor information shown on a Galaxy smartphone

You can also use the image test feature to check whether the accelerometer is working:

1 Tap Image test
Image test selected inside the accelerometer sensor
2 Rotate your phone. If the accelerometer is working correctly, the image will change rotation
Background of a dog with accelerometer sensor information shown on a Galaxy smartphone

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.


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