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How Do I Stop My iPhone Camera From Rotating?

Published in iPhone Camera Settings 3 mins read

To stop your iPhone camera from rotating, you need to enable the Portrait Orientation Lock feature, which prevents your screen, including the camera interface, from automatically switching between portrait and landscape modes.

Understanding Portrait Orientation Lock

The Portrait Orientation Lock is a crucial setting on your iPhone that, when activated, locks the screen in the portrait (vertical) orientation. This means that even if you physically turn your phone, the display will not rotate, ensuring that your camera view remains steady and does not unexpectedly flip. As the reference states, "if you tap that it's going to enable the portrait orientation lock. So when when we go back to something like Safari. If you turn your phone it's going to stay in that portrait orientation mode." This applies system-wide, including within the Camera app, preventing unwanted rotation during photo or video capture.

Steps to Enable Portrait Orientation Lock

Enabling this feature is quick and easy, accessible through your iPhone's Control Center. The steps vary slightly depending on your iPhone model.

For iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later):

  1. Access Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen.
  2. Locate the Icon: Look for the Portrait Orientation Lock icon, which appears as a small lock symbol with an arrow circling around it.
  3. Tap to Activate: Tap the icon. It will turn white or orange (depending on your iOS version and background) and display a message indicating "Portrait Orientation Lock On."

For iPhones with a Home Button (iPhone 8 Plus and earlier, iPhone SE 2nd/3rd Gen):

  1. Access Control Center: Swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen.
  2. Locate the Icon: Find the Portrait Orientation Lock icon, represented by a lock symbol with an arrow circling around it.
  3. Tap to Activate: Tap the icon. It will illuminate to confirm it's enabled, usually turning white or orange.

Once enabled, your iPhone's display, including the Camera app, will remain in portrait mode, effectively stopping it from rotating.

How It Affects Your Camera

With Portrait Orientation Lock enabled, when you open your Camera app:

  • The camera viewfinder will stay in portrait orientation, regardless of how you hold your phone.
  • Interface elements (like the shutter button, mode selector, and settings icons) will not rotate.
  • This ensures a consistent shooting experience, especially useful when you need to quickly snap a photo or record a video without the screen unexpectedly flipping.

Disabling Portrait Orientation Lock

If you wish to allow your iPhone's screen to rotate again (for viewing landscape videos, using certain apps, or for landscape photography), simply follow the same steps above to access the Control Center and tap the Portrait Orientation Lock icon again to turn it off. The icon will revert to its inactive state (grayed out).