If your iPhone XS Max is stuck in portrait mode and refuses to rotate—even when you’re watching a video or using apps that normally support landscape—you’re not alone. This issue usually pops up after an iOS update (like iOS 12.2), but don’t worry: there are several ways to get screen rotation working again.
Check Portrait Orientation Lock First
Before diving into deeper fixes, make sure the rotation lock isn’t on.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
- Look for the lock icon with a circular arrow. If it’s highlighted, tap it to turn it off.
- Try rotating your screen again in an app like Safari or Messages.
Still stuck in portrait? Try the next step.
1. Restart Your iPhone
A quick restart can knock out minor post-update bugs.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
After your phone boots up, try rotating the screen again.
2. Turn Off Display Zoom
Display Zoom can mess with how your iPhone handles screen orientation.
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Tap View under Display Zoom.
- Select Standard and tap Set to confirm.
- Your iPhone will restart.
After the reboot, open an app like Messages or Safari and turn your phone sideways to see if rotation works.
3. Calibrate the Compass (Gyroscope Sensor)
If your iPhone’s motion sensors are out of sync, the screen might not rotate properly.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Open the Compass app (in the Extras folder or App Library).
- If prompted, calibrate the compass by moving the red ball in a figure-8 motion.
- If you don’t see the calibration screen, force close the app, restart your iPhone, and try again.
After calibration, check if screen rotation is back to normal.
4. Install Pending App Updates
If the issue is limited to specific apps, make sure they’re up to date.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right.
- Scroll to view available updates.
- Tap Update All or update individual apps that support landscape mode.
5. Reset All Settings
If a recent update changed some internal settings, a reset can help without erasing your data.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Your phone will reboot. Afterward, test if rotation is working again.
6. Perform a Factory Reset (Optional)
If nothing else works, you might need to start fresh.
⚠️ Back up your data first via iCloud or iTunes.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Set up your phone as new and check screen rotation during setup or immediately afterward in a compatible app.
7. Restore via Recovery Mode
If your iPhone won’t rotate even after a factory reset, recovery mode can help fix deeper iOS issues.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder.
- Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button.
- Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen.
- On your computer, choose Update (to reinstall iOS without erasing data) or Restore (to do a clean install).
8. Restore via DFU Mode (Advanced)
If even recovery mode fails, try DFU mode—a deep restore process.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until the screen goes black.
- Then hold Volume Down while still holding the Side button for 5 seconds.
- Release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down until iTunes or Finder recognizes your iPhone.
Your screen should stay black—if you see the Apple logo, try again.
Follow the on-screen steps in iTunes/Finder to restore your device.
Still Not Rotating?
If you’ve tried everything and screen rotation still won’t work, it could be a hardware issue—possibly with the gyroscope or accelerometer. In that case:
- Visit an Apple Store or
- Contact Apple Support for a device diagnostic.