Using portrait and landscape modes on an Android phone
This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Using portrait and landscape modes on an Android phone online video course.
About screen orientation
Your Android phone screen can display information in two different ways depending on how you hold the device. Changing the screen mode, or orientation, helps you view content more comfortably depending on what you are doing.
Portrait mode. The screen is upright and taller than it is wide. This mode is useful for browsing the internet, reading and using many everyday apps.
Landscape mode. The screen is sideways and wider than it is tall. This is useful for watching videos, playing some games or typing when more width is helpful.
Most Android phones automatically switch between portrait and landscape when you rotate your phone.
Locking or unlocking screen rotation
You can choose whether your screen changes orientation automatically or stays fixed using Quick settings. You can access Quick settings at any time, even from the Lock screen.
- To open Quick settings, swipe down from the top centre or the top right of the screen, depending on your Android model.
- The view the full Quick settings panel, you may need to tap the short bar at the bottom to expand the menu.
- Look for the Auto rotate icon. It looks like a small phone with curved arrows around it and appears near the top of the panel.
- If the icon is highlighted and shows the words Auto rotate, your phone will switch between portrait and landscape automatically when you turn it.
- If you prefer the screen to stay upright, tap the icon so that it displays a padlock and the word Portrait.
- Tap the icon again to return to Auto rotate.