Where Xiaomi has autoturn: search, inclusion and fine-tuning

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are equipped with advanced accelerometers and gyroscopes that instantly respond to a change in position of the device in space. However, users often face a situation where the screen stubbornly refuses to turn when watching video or reading text, despite active actions. The search for a solution to the problem begins with a question of where exactly the autorotation function is hidden in the confusing menu of the MIUI or HyperOS shell.

The Android system logic that drives the Chinese brand’s gadgets involves multiple levels of display orientation control, such as a global switch in the notification curtain, customization within a particular application, or even a hidden engineering test. Understanding how these layers interact allows you to quickly troubleshoot the problem without rebooting the device.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all possible locations for turning settings, look at the reasons for blocking the function and suggest effective methods for solving the problem. You will learn not only to turn on the autorotor, but also to calibrate the sensors if the standard methods no longer work correctly.

The main ways to activate the screen rotation function

The fastest and most obvious way to control the orientation of the display on Redmi and Poco smartphones is in the Quick Settings Panel. To access it, you need to swipe from top to bottom across the screen to open the curtain. In the icon list, you should look for an icon with a lock or arrows that is signed as “Orientation” or “Autoturn.” If the icon is not visible immediately, it may be hidden in the second page of the widgets, where you can swip to the right.

An alternative route is through the main settings menu, where orientation control is often integrated into the general display settings. You need to go to Settings → Screen or Settings → Display, where depending on the firmware version, an automatic spin switch can be located. In some versions of MIUI, this option is placed in the Read Mode or Vision Protection subsection, which can confuse the inexperienced user.

It's worth noting that there are applications that ignore system settings and forcefully dictate their orientation, such as video players or games often block the screen from rotating by software, in which case finding a switch in the system will not work, since priority is given to the internal algorithms of the running software.

If standard methods don't work, you can search by settings. At the top of the Settings menu, there's a search bar where you just type in the word "orientation" or "rotation," and the system will highlight the menu item you want, which is especially true for newer versions of HyperOS where the menu structure may have changed.

Settings in the Control Center and Notification Curtain

The MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS have different controls. The classic curtain is called by a swipe from the top of the screen. In the control center, which appears when swiping from the top right corner (iOS-style), the orientation lock button can be located in the bottom row of icons. Its state is indicated by color: active mode is usually illuminated in blue or orange, and inactive mode is illuminated in gray.

It is important to distinguish between the two states of this button. In one version of the interface, the active button means "Stop Turn on", in the other version it means "Oriental Lock is on". On Xiaomi devices, the most common logic is that an active (bright) button with a lock means blocking the current position of the screen. If the lock is open or the gray button, the screen will rotate.

To determine your current state accurately, look for a pop-up prompt when you press the icon long enough, or for the behavior of the screen when you physically turn your smartphone. If the screen doesn't respond, try pressing the lock button to change its state and rotate the device again. Often, the problem is solved by simply switching the mode back and forth, which restarts the sensor survey.

In some cases, the icon may disappear from quick access, and to get it back, you need to click on the edit button (usually the pencil icon or tripod) in the corner of the curtain and drag the "Orientation" or "Autoporate" element into the active zone, which is especially true after major system updates, when a set of widgets are reset to the factory one.

💡

If the auto-turn button has disappeared from the curtain, check if the Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode is turned on, which can hide some of the controls to minimize distractions.

Deep configuration through the parameter menu

If the curtain control doesn't work, you should look at deep system settings. The path to these can vary, but more often than not it looks like Settings → Additional Features → One-Hand Mode or Settings → Special Features. There may be limitations that affect the accelerometer in certain use cases.

Special attention should be paid to the Digital Well-Being or Parental Control section. In some Xiaomi configurations, there are restrictions on changing orientation for children's profiles or restricted use modes. Check if In-Child Hand or similar features are activated that can block screen rotation in certain apps.

It’s also worth checking the settings of a particular app if the problem is only there. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a problematic app (like YouTube or Gallery) and select Other Permissions or Additional. There may be a “Screen Autoturn” option that is forced to be set to “Disable.”

For advanced users, a hidden section of the engineering menu is available, but logging in requires entering a special code in the Phone application. However, using this menu requires caution, since changing unfamiliar parameters can lead to unstable system operation.

Helper apps and third-party software

Android is not always perfect, especially when it comes to specific use cases, such as reading in bed or watching videos in custom apps. For these cases, there are specialized utilities from the Google Play store that take over orientation management. One of the most popular is the Rotation Control app.

These apps create an overlay (a layer over all windows) that intercepts signals from the accelerometer and compels you to set the desired orientation. They allow you to adjust automatic rotation for specific applications, ignoring system locks, for example, you can set a rule: "In Chrome browser, turn is forbidden, in YouTube - always allowed."

Using third-party software is especially important for owners of Xiaomi Pad tablets, where landscape mode is critical. Standard shell of the tablet can incorrectly determine the position of the device when using the keyboard-case, and third-party programs successfully compensate for this disadvantage.

When installing these applications, you need to give them extended permissions, including the right to draw over other windows and access to system settings. Without these rights, the program will not be able to effectively manage the screen, and it is worth considering that the constant operation of background services can slightly increase battery consumption.

Calibration of sensors and troubleshooting

If the switches are normal but the screen is still not rotating, there is likely a problem with the hardware or calibration of the sensors. The accelerometer could have gone off, especially if the phone has recently fallen or been subjected to vibrations. There is a built-in engineering menu to diagnose and correct the situation in Xiaomi smartphones.

To enter the test mode, open the Phone app and dial the code ##6484## or #4636#. In the CIT menu that opens, you need to find the "Accelerometer" or "Gyroscope." Follow the instructions on the screen: you usually need to put the phone on a flat surface and press the calibration button, and then put it vertically.

Once the calibration is successful, the system will recalculate the zero points of the sensors, and if the test shows an error or the calibration does not help, it may be that the sensor is physically damaged or the train has moved away, in which case the software methods are powerless, and you will need to intervene in the hardware part of the device.

Another reason could be a software conflict: Try to start your phone in Safe Mode, press the switch off button, and when the menu comes up, press and hold the "Stop" option until you have a suggestion to go to Safe Mode, and if this is a turnaround mode, then one of the apps you have installed is causing the problem.

💡

Calibration of sensors through the CIT engineering menu is the most effective software method to correct the incorrect behavior of the accelerator-meter without resetting data.

Comparison of control in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells are constantly evolving, and the layout of controls varies from version to version. Understanding these differences helps you find the right settings faster. Below is a table showing where to look for orientation management in different versions of the software.

Note that regional versions of firmware (Global, China, EEA) may have slight differences in terminology, such as the Chinese version of menu items will be called in their native language, which makes it difficult to search, in which case it is recommended to focus on icons or use a translator from the screen.

Newer versions of HyperOS have a tendency to simplify menus and hide secondary features, so autorotation control can be completely curtained, and deep settings can only be left with the “Block orientation” switch, which changes the logic of user interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)