When the screen of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone refuses to turn following the movement of the hand, it often takes the user by surprise. It would seem that you just want to view the video in horizontal mode or to consider the photo in detail, but the image remains frozen in an upright position. This is a common problem that owners of devices based on the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS face.
The reasons for this behavior can be many: from a banal off function in the “curtain” of notifications to hardware failure of sensors. In the Android operating system, the turn of the screen depends on the operation of the accelerometer and gyroscope, which respond to the change in position of the device in space. If the software blocks these signals, the system ignores your attempts to flip the phone.
In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios for why orientation may be blocked in the Gallery app, and how to quickly return functionality. We will look at hidden settings, features of specific firmware versions and diagnostic methods that will help us understand whether the problem lies in the hardware or software failure.
The main reasons for blocking the turn of the screen
The first thing to check is the status of the system switch, which forcibly captures the position of the display. In Xiaomi smartphones, this parameter is controlled by the control center, accessed by a swipe down from the top of the screen, and if there is an activated icon of the lock or crossed arrow, then the autorotation will not work, regardless of which application you use.
However, even when the function is turned on, there can be conflicts. Some applications have their own orientation settings that overlap the system. In the case of the Gallery, sometimes a failure occurs because the system "remembered" the previous position or misinterpreted data from sensors after leaving sleep mode.
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If the screen rotates in the browser but doesn’t work in the Gallery, the problem is most likely to be in the cache of a particular application, not the system sensors.
There is also the possibility of a software bug in the MIUI shell itself. After a firmware update, some system services may not work properly, ignoring accelerometer commands. In such cases, rebooting the device often helps to reset temporary errors and restore normal operation of the sensors.
- 🔒 Activated “Orientation Locked” mode in the control center.
- 📱 Failure of the system process “Desktop” or “System interface».
- 🔄 Conflict of versions of the Gallery application after the update.
- 🧩 Errors in the operation of the accelerometer or gyroscope.
Setting up a control center and quick action
Redmi and Xiaomi use a special switch to control orientation, and to access it, you need to unlock the screen and swipe down from the upper right or left corner (depending on the curtain settings), look for an icon that can be called “Orientation”, “Autoporot” or have a graphic image of the arrows in a circle.
If the icon is lit in blue or highlighted in color, it means that the function is active. If it is gray or crossed out, turn is blocked. In new versions of HyperOS, control has become more flexible: sometimes when you turn the phone to a horizontal position, a floating button appears in the corner of the screen, allowing you to temporarily allow a turn, even if the global lock is on.
It is important to note that in some use cases, such as when running One Hand or Smooth Scrolling mode, the system may force the change of orientation to prevent visual artifacts. → Additional functions can solve the problem.
☑️ Verification of turn settings
Diagnostics of sensors: accelerometer and gyroscope
If the switches are fine, but the screen is still not responsive to turns, it may be the hardware or calibration of the sensors. The accelerometer is responsible for determining the position of the device relative to the ground, and the gyroscope tracks the angles of inclination. In Xiaomi smartphones, this data is used everywhere, and its failure affects the operation of navigation, games and, of course, autorotation.
To check the sensors, you can use the engineering menu. Open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. In the CIT menu, select Sensor or Accesserometer. Put your phone on a flat surface and press Calibrate. If the test shows significant abnormalities or the sensor is not responsive to movement, calibration or repair is required.
⚠️ Warning: Do not calibrate the sensors while holding the phone in your hands or on a vibrating surface, which will lead to incorrect data and further system failures.
Sometimes the problem is solved by simply rebooting sensors without logging into the engineering menu, and you can use third-party tools from Google Play, such as GPS Status & Toolbox or Sensor Sense, which can reset sensor readings to factory values, especially after a device drops or a sharp temperature drop.
| Sensor. | Function | Influence on the turn | Symptom of failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| accelerometer | Determines acceleration and gravity | High. | The screen doesn't turn at all. |
| gyroscope | Determines the angle of inclination | Average. | The turn comes with a delay |
| Approximation sensor | Reacts to being applied to the ear | Low. | Locks the screen when calling. |
| Light sensor | Regulates brightness | Absent. | Doesn't affect orientation. |
Specifics of the Gallery application in MIUI
The MIUI and HyperOS Gallery app has its own features: unlike the standard Android viewer, it can cache orientation data for a particular photo or video. If you edited an image horizontally and metadata (EXIF) hasn't updated, the gallery can persistently open it vertically, ignoring the position of the smartphone.
In addition, the latest firmware versions have implemented smart sorting and content analysis functions that consume resources and can cause micro-hangs in the interface. If the gallery process freezes, it stops processing events from the system, including commands to turn the screen, in which case cleaning the cache helps.
To do the cleaning, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find in the Gallery list, click Memory, and select Clear Cache. This action will not delete your photos, but will reset temporary files and interface display settings.
What is EXIF metadata?
Also worth checking permissions. Make sure the Gallery has access to the necessary system features, although they are usually provided by default. Sometimes resetting permissions for all applications in the Access to Data menu helps solve complex interface problems.
Hidden settings and engineering codes
For advanced users who haven't found a solution in the standard menu, there are hidden settings. Xiaomi has the option to reset all sensor settings through the engineering menu we mentioned earlier. ##6484## leads to a full set of hardware tests.
However, there is a softer method - resetting settings through ADB (Android Debug Bridge, if debugging is enabled USB. Adb shell settings put system accelerometer_rotation 1 forcefully turns on the autorotation at the system level, ignoring the state of the switch in the UI. This can become a temporary “crut” if the physical button on the menu is bugged.
⚠️ Attention: Use of the engineering menu requires caution. CIT It can cause incorrect operation of communication modules or cameras.
Another nuance is the developer mode: Turning on the Do Not Turn Screen option (if activated randomly in the Developer section) can block rotation in all applications. Check the list of experimental features if you have previously activated the developer mode.
- 🛠 Use the #6484## code to test.
- 💻 Application ADB system-setting commands.
- ⚙️ Checking hidden flags in the menu "For developers».
- 🔄 Reset sensor settings through the engineering menu.
Impact of System Updates and Third-Party Launchers
Often, the orientation problem comes right after the firmware update. Xiaomi developers regularly change the interface logic. For example, when you switch from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the rotation processing algorithms changed. If you recently updated, it may be a temporary bug that will be fixed in the security patch.
Installing third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair) can also affect system behavior. Although they replace the desktop, system dialogues and some applications (like the Gallery in full-screen mode) can conflict with the scaling settings of the third-party interface. Try temporarily returning to the standard launcher to exclude this factor.
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If the problem appears immediately after the system update, it is most likely a software bug of a particular firmware version that requires waiting for a patch or rollback version.
In some cases, updates to the apps themselves via GetApps or Google Play help. The Gallery, System Interface and Google Play services components receive updates regardless of firmware and may contain critical bug fixes.
Hardware malfunctions and physical impact
And you can't rule out physical damage. If the smartphone fell, even in a protective case, the accelerometer chip could shift or get a microcrack. Unlike a broken screen, it's not visible to the eye, but the functionality is impaired. Symptoms: turning only works in a certain position of the phone or twitches.
The sensors can also be affected by powerful magnets (such as car holders or magnetic-clasp cases). The magnetic field distorts the sensors, and the system cannot correctly determine the orientation in space. Remove the case and remove the phone from the magnets for inspection.
If software methods, factory resets and calibration do not help, and in the engineering menu the accelerometer test shows an error, most likely, a replacement of the plume or sensor module in the service center is required.