Rotate Your Screen from Vertical to Horizontal: All Platforms

An easy guide to rotating your computer, phone, or tablet

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 8, 2026 Fact Checked

• Using Windows
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• Using Mac
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• Using Android
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• Using iPhone or iPad
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• Using Chromebook
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• Video
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• Tips

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If you are trying to view a compatible app on your phone or tablet horizontally but your screen just will not turn, don’tt worry! There are relatively quick fixes available on each platform. This wikiHow article will teach you how to change from the vertical to the horizontal view on iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, and external displays.

Change your Screen from Vertical to Horizontal

On PC and Mac, you can change the orientation of your display in the Display Settings menu. On iPhone, disable the lock screen setting in the Control Panel. On Android, make sure auto-rotate is enabled in the Quick Access menu. Rotate your device to rotate the screen automatically.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows

1. 
   1
   Open the Settings menu

   

   . To do so, press Win + i. Alternatively, you can click the Windows Start menu, and then click the Gear/Settings icon.
2. 
   2
   Click System. It’s the first option on the menu bar to the left in Windows 11. On Windows 10, it’s the first icon that resembles a computer screen.
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3. 
   3
   Click Display. It’s next to an icon that resembles a computer screen. On Windows 11, it’s a little ways down the menu panel in the middle. On Windows 10, it’s the first option in the menu to the left.
4. 
   4
   Select the display you want to change. If you have multiple displays, you should see a diagram with how they are arranged at the top of the Settings menu. Click the display you want to change.
5. 
   5
   Click the drop-down menu next to “Display orientation.” It’s near the bottom of the Display Settings menu. On Windows 10, it’s the drop-down menu below “Orientation.”
6. 
   6
   Select your preferred orientation. This will instantly change the orientation of your screen. The options are as follows:

   • Landscape: This is a standard horizontal display.
   • Portrait: This is a 90 degree vertical display.
   • Landscape (flipped): This is an upside-down horizontal display.
   • Portrait (flipped): This is an upside-down vertical display.
7. 
   7
   Click Keep changes. After your screen orientation changes, you will see a pop-up window asking if you want to keep the changes. If you are happy with the screen orientation, click Keep changes. If your are not, you can click Revert.

   • If you do not click anything before the timer runs out, your screen will automatically revert to the previous orientation.
8. 
   8
   Use keyboard shortcuts to rotate your screen. On some computers, you can use keyboard shortcuts to rotate your screen. The keyboard shortcuts are as follows:

   • Landscape: Alt+Ctrl+↑
   • Portrait: Alt+Ctrl+→
   • Upside-down: Alt+Ctrl+↓
   • Flipped Portrait: Alt+Ctrl+←
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Mac

1. 
   1
   Open the System Settings menu while holding down ⌥ Option. Hold down the Option key while clicking the Apple icon in the menu bar at the top, followed by System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs).

   • In some Mac models or versions of macOS, you might be able to see the Rotation option without holding down Option. Simply go to Apple menu > System Settings > Displays and use the Rotation dropdown.
2. 
   2
   Click Displays. Displays is in the menu bar to the left next to an icon that resembles a sun. You may need to scroll down to get it. On older Macs, click the Display icon in the main System Preferences window.

   • You can let go of the Option key once the Displays menu is open.
3. 
   3
   Select the display you want to rotate. If you have more than one display connected, click the display you want to change in the diagram at the top.
4. 
   4
   Click the drop-down menu next to “Rotation.” It’s towards the bottom of the menu. You might need to scroll down.
5. 
   5
   Select a rotation. There are four options in the drop-down menu. These will immediately change the orientation of your screen. They are as follows:

   • Standard: This is a standard horizontal display.
   • 90°: This rotates your display 90 degrees to a vertical display.
   • 180°: This rotates your display 180 degrees to an upside-down horizontal display.
   • 270°: This rotates your display 270 degrees to an upside-down vertical display.
6. 
   6
   Click Confirm. If you like the display setting, click Confirm. If you don’t click this before the timer runs out, your display will revert back to its original settings.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Android

1. 
   1
   Swipe down from the top of the screen. This opens the Quick Access menu.

   • On some devices, you may need to swipe down from the upper-right corner.
2. 
   2
   Swipe down on the Quick Access icons. This displays a full list of Quick Access icons.
3. 
   3
   Tap the Auto rotate button. It generally has an icon that resembles a circular arrow, or a phone inside two circular arrows. If this button is not highlighted, tap it to enable auto-rotate.

   • Alternatively, on some devices, you can find this option in the Settings menu. To get to it, tap the Gear/Settings icon in the Quick Access menu. Then tap Display or Display & touch. Tap the toggle switch next to the “Auto Rotate screen” option.
4. 
   4
   Rotate your device to the vertical position. When Auto Rotate is enabled, your phone or table should rotate automatically to adjust to the position you are holding your device.

   • If you want to lock your phone in this position, disable auto-rotate in the Quick Access menu.
5. 
   5
   Open a compatible app and turn your phone or tablet sideways. Your apps can now easily be rotated on your phone or tablet! Be sure that the app you are trying to rotate has a horizontal interface, otherwise, it will not rotate.

   • Some apps rotate your screen automatically and can only be viewed in the horizontal or vertical position.
6. 
   6
   Hold down on an empty spot on your home screen. If you want to rotate your home screen on your phone, follow these extra steps to make that possible.

   • If you are using a tablet, you can rotate your home screen by simply rotating the tablet horizontally.
7. 
   7
   Press the Home settings or Settings button. This will open a menu of settings specific to your home screen.
8. 
   8
   Enable home screen rotation. Depending on your phone and its version of Android, you will need to enable something like “Allow Home screen rotation” or “Rotate to landscape mode.” On some devices, you may need to disable something like “Portrait mode only” by tapping the toggle to the right of the option.
9. 
   9
   Return to your home screen and turn your phone sideways. Your home screen should now be able to rotate!
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using iPhone or iPad

1. 
   1
   Open Control Center. If your iPhone or iPad does not have a home button, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.

   • If your iPhone or iPad has a home button, Control Center can be opened by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
2. 
   2
   Disable rotation lock. It’s the icon that resembles a lock inside a circular arrow. If this button is highlighted white and red, tap it to disable rotation lock.
3. 
   3
   Rotate your iPhone or iPad vertically. The screen will automatically rotate and adjust to the position in which you are holding your device.

   • If you want to lock your iPhone or iPad’s screen in its current position, open the Control Center, and tap the rotation lock icon.
4. 
   4
   Open a compatible app and turn your iPhone or iPad sideways. Open an app that can be viewed horizontally, like Safari or Messages, and turn your iPhone or iPad. Your screen should automatically rotate!

   • Some apps can only be viewed in a horizontal or vertical position.
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using Chromebook

1. 
   1
   Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Refresh to rotate your screen. The Refresh key has an icon that resembles a circular arrow. It’s usually at the top of the keyboard. On most Chromebook models, you can rotate your screen 90 degrees using this keyboard shortcut. Repeat as many times as needed to rotate your screen to the desired orientation.
2. 
   2
   Click Continue. After pressing the keyboard shortcut to rotate your screen, click Continue in the pop-up menu to rotate your screen.
3. 
   3
   Open the Settings menu. You can also rotate your display in the Settings. To open the Settings menu, click the time in the lower-right corner. Then click the Gear icon.
4. 
   4
   Click Devices. It’s in the menu to the left. It’s next to an icon that resembles a computer.
5. 
   5
   Click Display. It’s next to an icon that resembles a monitor. It’s in the panel in the middle.
6. 
   6
   Click the drop-down menu next to “Orientation.” This allows you to rotate your screen.
7. 
   7
   Select one of the orientation options. This will immediately rotate your screen. The options are as follows:

   • 0°: This is a standard horizontal display.
   • 90°: This rotates your display to a vertical display.
   • 180°: This rotates your display to an upside-down horizontal display.
   • 270°: This rotates your display to a flipped vertical display.
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Tips

• If you have followed the method for your phone or tablet in this article, but the screen still will not rotate, consider submitting a support request with the manufacturer of your product online or taking it into a store.
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