Is Your iPhone Stuck in Portrait Mode? Don't Worry, We've All Been There (Especially After Those FaceTimes)
Let's face it, there's nothing more frustrating than trying to watch a hilarious cat video and your iPhone stubbornly refuses to rotate to landscape mode. You tilt your phone this way and that, even perform a little exorcism dance (we've all tried it!), but the screen remains stubbornly upright. Fear not, fellow iPhone 11 user, help is here!
The Culprit: Portrait Orientation Lock
Ever heard the saying, "A cluttered lock screen is a cluttered mind?" Well, the same goes for your iPhone's Control Center. There's a sneaky little button in there called Portrait Orientation Lock, and if it's activated, your phone won't budge an inch, no matter how much you plead with it (we recommend sticking to Siri for pleading duties).
How to Unleash the Rotational Fury of Your iPhone (Calmly)
Here's how to turn off Portrait Orientation Lock and get your phone rotating like a disco ball at a wedding reception (hopefully without the questionable dance moves):
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Swipe Down on the Right Side: Imagine you're checking the time – that's the swipe motion you need. Just don't accidentally answer a FaceTime call while you're at it (unless you're ready to share your phone-unlocking dance with the world).
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Behold! The Control Center: A dazzling array of icons will appear, like a digital toolbox for your iPhone. Don't get overwhelmed by the shiny buttons (unless you're looking to blast your flashlight by accident – that's a story for another time).
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Find the Portrait Orientation Lock Button: Look for an icon that resembles a lock with an arrow around it. If it's highlighted red or orange, that's your culprit!
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Tap to Disable: Give that button a good ol' tap, and just like magic (or clever Apple engineering), Portrait Orientation Lock will be deactivated.
Now go forth and rotate! Your cat videos, games, and photos will all thank you (and maybe your friends will too, if you finally show them that embarrassing vacation selfie in landscape mode).
Bonus Tip: If you find yourself accidentally enabling Portrait Orientation Lock again (hey, it happens to the best of us!), don't fret. You can simply follow these steps again to set your phone free from its self-imposed portrait prison.
