How to set up screen rotation on Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi's smartphone or tablet screen doesn't always display content in a convenient orientation. Sometimes YouTube videos open in landscape mode, and sometimes messenger messages are better read in portrait mode. If the autoturn doesn't work or you want to lock the screen in the right position, it's important to know all the settings available. In this article, we'll discuss how to turn on/off autoturn, forcefully change orientation, and what to do if the gyroscope sensor is not working properly.

Problems with screen rotation on Xiaomi are often associated with software failures or incorrect settings. For example, after the MIUI update, the calibration of sensors may be lost, and in some applications (for example, in TikTok or games), the screen is locked in one position regardless of the system settings. We will look at solutions for all these cases, including hidden features for power users.

Why does the screen on Xiaomi not turn automatically?

If the autorotation stops working, the reasons can be both hardware and software, and most often the problem lies in:

• 🔄 Disabled turn sensor in system settings or quick access panel.
• 📱 Failure of the gyroscope after a fall or firmware update.
• 🔒 Blocking orientation in a particular app (for example, Instagram or Google Maps).
• 🛠️ Conflict with a battery optimizer that turns off sensors to save energy.

Before you sin on a hardware breakdown, check the basic settings. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Autorotation can be turned off through the notification curtain – swipe down from the top edge of the screen and find the icon 🔄 If it's gray, tap it to activate it.

Another common reason is energy saving mode. In MIUI 14 and later, the system can automatically turn off sensors if the battery level is below 15%. To fix this, go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode and turn off the option to Limit Background Activity.

How to turn on or off the screen autoturn

The standard way to control a turn is through the quick access panel, but if the icon disappears or does not respond to pressing, alternative methods can be used.

Method 1: Through the notification curtain

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the badge. 🔄 Turn (may be on the second page - swipe left).
3. Slap it on: if it turns blue, the auto turn is turned on, if gray, it is turned off.

Method 2: Through system settings

If the icon is missing from the curtain, check the display settings:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Screen Autoturn (on some models, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the item may be called Screen Orientation).
3. Activate the switch.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F5), there is a separate option called "Orientation Fix" in the Additional Settings → Special Options menu. If it's on, the autorotor won't work.

Forced screen rotation without sensors

If the gyro is broken or the turn sensor is not working correctly, you can manually lock the screen in the desired position.

1. Open the Settings → Display → Autoturn the screen.
2. Select Manual Turn (or Fixed Orientation on older versions of MIUI).
3. Set the desired position: Portrait, Album or Back Album (inverted).

This method is useful if you're watching YouTube videos or playing games where the autorotation doesn't work. For example, on the Redmi K60, in Manual Rotation mode, you can lock the screen in landscape form even when lying on your side.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for Xiaomi 12T) has a hidden dual tap rotating feature to activate it:

adb shell settings put system accelerometer_rotation 1


adb shell settings put system user_rotation 1

Then, double-tap the screen with your two fingers to change orientation, which only works on devices with the bootloader unlocked and USB debugging enabled.

Problems with the turn sensor: how to fix

If the autorotation doesn't work even after you turn on all the settings, the problem could be a gyroscope malfunction or calibration failure.

Sensor checks

Make sure that the gyroscope and accelerometer work correctly:

1. Install the Sensor Test or Phone Tester app from Google Play.
2. Run a sensor test and check the Accelerometer and Gyroscope readings.
3. If the values do not change when the device is rotated, the sensor is defective.

Sensor calibration

Sometimes software calibration helps:

1. Open the Compass app (included in the standard MIUI set).
2. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually you need to rotate the phone in the air, describing the eight.
3. Reset the device.

💡

If calibration doesn't work, try resetting the sensors through the engineering menu, and type in the phone app code ##6484## (not all models).

If the sensor is physically damaged (for example, after the fall of the Redmi Note 11), it can only be replaced in a service center. The cost of repairing a gyroscope on Xiaomi usually does not exceed 1,500-2,500 rubles.

Screen rotation in specific applications

Some programs block autorotation regardless of system settings, such as:

• 🎮 Games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile often captures the album orientation.
• 📷 Xiaomi camera may not rotate in some modes (e.g. Panorama or Night Mode).
• 📺 Streaming services (Netflix, Twitch) sometimes ignore the system settings.

To unlock the turn in a separate application:

1. Open the app and call the latest task menu (swipe up with a delay).
2. Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select Information.
3. Check permissions: If there is a change in the orientation of the screen, turn it on.

For games and videos, forced rotation through ADB often helps:

adb shell settings put system user_rotation 1

After this command is executed, the screen will rotate even in blocked applications, but only before rebooting.

Comparison of screen rotation methods on Xiaomi

For most users, a standard auto-turn through the curtain is enough, but if the sensor breaks or you need to lock the screen in a non-standard position (for example, to read books in landscape mode), it is better to use manual fixation or ADB-team.

💡

On devices with MIUI 14+ there is a hidden function "Turn by gesture" - double swipe your finger on the edge of the screen to change the orientation (you need to turn on the settings in the laboratory).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up the screen rotation, users often make the following mistakes:

• 🔧 Ignoring firmware updates. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12) the autorotor was unstable. Update the system to Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
• 📵 Do not check the case, magnetic or metal cases can interfere with the sensors.
• 🔄 Reset settings without backup. Before resetting sensors through the engineering menu, save data (for example, through Mi Cloud).

💡

After the update MIUI missing icon of autoturn in the curtain, add it manually: swipe down, press on the pencil (✏️) and drag the turn to the active panel.

Another common problem is conflicting with battery-saving apps like Greenify or AccuBattery, which can turn off sensors in the background, add system processes to exceptions, or temporarily turn off optimization.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) 11 Ultra) forced turning through ADB It can cause artifacts in games. user_rotation Image is distorted, restart the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions