Screen Orientation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: A Complete Guide to Setup and Troubleshooting

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with an orientation sensor (accelometer and gyroscope), which automatically turns the screen when the device changes position. However, many users face problems: the screen does not rotate when you need it, or, conversely, arbitrarily changes orientation at uncomfortable moments. In this article, we will understand how the orientation on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, where the autorotation settings in MIUI are located, and what to do if the rotation sensor is not working correctly.

The model features a dedicated orientation lock switch in the notification curtain, but not everyone knows that it can be customized to their needs. In addition, in some applications (for example, in the camera or games), orientation can be controlled separately from system settings. We will look at all the nuances from basic settings to hardware malfunction diagnostics.

What is the screen orientation and how does it work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?

Screen orientation is the automatic or manual change of the position of the image on the display depending on how you hold the smartphone: vertically (portrait orientation) or horizontally (album orientation).

• 📱 Accelerometer – determines the acceleration and inclination of the device.
• 🌀 Gyroscope - fixes the angles of rotation and rotation.
• 🤖 Software algorithm MIUI — processes data from sensors and controls the rotation of the interface.

Unlike the newer Xiaomi models, where sensors are integrated into a single chip, the Redmi Note 8 Pro uses separate sensors from InvenSense (model ICM-42688-P).This affects the accuracy of the rotation: for example, in games with gyro support (for example, PUBG Mobile), the screen can react faster than in standard applications.

It's important to understand that orientation works not just for the system interface, but also for individual applications, such as YouTube or Google Chrome, which can ignore the system settings of autorotation and use their own algorithms, which often causes confusion when one application has a screen rotating and another does not.

Where is the orientation switch in MIUI?

The fastest way to control orientation is through the notification bar. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the turn lock button looks like an icon with a phone and arrow in a circle.

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification curtain.
2. If the button is not in the first row, swipe down again to open the full panel.
3. Find the icon "Autoporate" (or "Orientation Block") and tap it.

If there is no button at all, you can add it manually:

1. Open the notification curtain and click on the icon "⚙️ Settings" (or "Edit").
2. In the list of available switches, find the "Switch" and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

Note that on some versions of MIUI (especially global ones), the button may be called "Screen Rotate" or "Auto-rotate." If nothing happens after clicking, check if orientation is blocked in the settings of a particular application (we will discuss this below).

💡

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can quickly block the orientation by double pressing the Volume Down button (you need to enable this function in Settings → Special Features → Quick Actions).

Autorotation settings in system parameters

If the switch in the curtain is not working or is acting strangely, check the system settings.

1. Go to Settings. → Screen.
2. Select "Screen Turn" (or "Screen Orientation" in some firmware).
3. Make sure the slider is on.

You can also set exceptions for individual apps in the same menu, for example, if you don't want the screen to turn on WhatsApp or Instagram, but you need to save a self-rotation on YouTube:

1. In the "Screen Turn" menu, click "Exceptions".
2. Select the applications for which you want to turn off autoturn.
3. Save the changes.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro also has a hidden Smart Turn feature that analyzes the position of the user’s head (using the front camera) and turns the screen only when you’re actually looking at the device.

Settings → Screen → Screen Autoturn → Smart Turn (enable)

⚠️ Warning: Smart Turn may not work in the dark or if the camera is covered with a protective film, and it also increases battery consumption because it constantly uses the front camera.

Orientation problems: Why the screen doesn't turn or spin on its own

If the autopivot stops working or behaves unpredictably, the reasons can be both software and hardware. Let's look at the most common cases and their solutions.

If the problem occurs after the MIUI update, try resetting the screen settings:

Settings → Screen → Resetting screen settings

This will return all display parameters (including orientation) to factory values, but will not affect personal data.

Calibration of orientation sensors on the Redmi Note 8 Pro

If the sensors are not working accurately (for example, the screen is turning with a delay or in the wrong direction), they can be calibrated.

1. Install the Accelerometer Calibration or Sensor Box app from Google Play.
2. Start calibrating the accelerometer by following the instructions on the screen (usually you need to put the phone on a flat surface and wait for the process to be completed).
3. Reset the device.

You can also use the hidden menu of engineering settings:

Dial in the dialer: ##4636##


Select "Testing" → "Sensors"




Check the Accelerometer and Gyroscope values when tilting your phone

If the sensor values do not change or show obvious errors (for example, NaN), this may indicate a hardware malfunction, in which case only replacing the sensor or motherboard will help.

⚠️ Note: Do not use applications for calibration from unknown developers - they may contain malicious code.

Place your phone on a perfectly flat surface (such as a table)

Make sure there are no magnets or metal objects nearby.

Close all background applications

Charge your phone at least 50%-->

Features of orientation in games and applications

Many games and some applications (like Google Maps or Street View) use the orientation sensor in their own way, for example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile, the gyroscope is responsible not only for turning the screen, but also for controlling the sight.

• 🎮 Check the control settings in the game itself (usually there is a "Gyroscope" or "Course Turn" item").
• ⚙️ Make sure that the Redmi Note 8 Pro system settings do not turn off autorotation for this application (see the exceptions section).
• 🔄 Restart the game – sometimes the failure occurs due to a temporary conflict with system services.

In some cases, games can block the system autorotation to avoid random turns during gameplay. For example, Genshin Impact defaults to lock the screen in landscape orientation, even if the phone's autorotation settings are turned on.

For apps like YouTube or Netflix, orientation is often tied to a device's rotating gesture. If the video doesn't turn full-screen when you turn your phone, check:

• 📺 Is Full Screen Mode Enabled in the Application Settings.
• 🔒 Is the orientation locked inside the player (usually there is a separate lock button).
• 📶 Are there any restrictions on the service (for example, some YouTube videos do not support a turn).

Hardware malfunctions: when you need to carry your phone to the service

If all software methods have been tried, but the orientation is still not working correctly, the problem may be in the hardware.

• 🛠️ Orientation sensor damage - after a fall or impact, the sensor may fail. Diagnosed using test applications (sensor values do not change).
• 🔌 Oxidation or plume breaks -- connects sensors to the motherboard, manifests as periodic orientation failures.
• 🔋 Power problems of sensors – if the circuit board burned the voltage stabilizer responsible for the sensors, they will stop working completely.

It's almost impossible to fix the orientation sensor on your own, requiring soldering equipment and microelectronics experience.

Before you bring your phone to the service, try resetting to factory settings (don't forget to back up the data), sometimes this helps eliminate software conflicts that mimic hardware malfunctions.

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings

⚠️ Warning: If the problem persists after the reset and the sensors in the test applications do not respond to the tilts, there is a 90% probability of a hardware malfunction.

💡

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the orientation sensor is located on the motherboard next to the processor. Replacing it requires a complete disassembly of the phone, so only trusted service centers should trust the repair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen orientation on Redmi Note 8 Pro