Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones feature a sensitive accelerometer that automatically changes the orientation of the image when you turn the device. Although this feature is extremely convenient when watching videos or reading books in horizontal mode, it often interferes with everyday use. Accidentally turning the phone in your pocket or when lying on the couch can cause the interface to turn upside down, which will cause discomfort and interrupt current activities.
Display orientation locking is a basic setup available in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS. Users can capture the screen position vertically to avoid unwanted interface changes. This is especially true when typing, using banking applications or viewing content that is not originally adapted to the horizontal position. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to control this feature.
It’s worth noting that autorotation control can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the manufacturer’s shell modification. Sometimes standard switches are hidden in the quick action menu, and in some cases require a deeper dive into the system settings. Understanding these nuances will allow you to fully control the behavior of your device.
Using notification curtains to quickly lock
The fastest and most common way to capture the position of the screen is to use a quick access panel known as a curtain, which requires no deep immersion in the settings menu and takes only a couple of seconds. It takes just a swipe from the top edge of the display down to open the control center. Depending on the version of MIUI, the icon can be called "Autoporot" or "Orientation".
If you see an active icon, it means that the autorotating function is working. You need to press it to deactivate the mode. In some versions of the shell, the switch logic is inverted: it burns blue - turn is allowed, gray - is blocked. In other cases, there may be a separate lock icon that rigidly fixes the vertical position.
⚠️ Warning: If the icon in the curtain is missing or does not respond to pressing, check if the phone is not on Do Not Disturb mode or energy saving, as they may limit the operation of some system functions.
For ease of use, you can change the set of icons in the curtain. Click on a pencil or edit button in the corner of the panel, find the Orientation or Autopivot element and drag it to the active zone. Now control will always be at hand. This is especially useful if you often switch between reading and watching videos.
- 📱 Swipe from top to bottom to open the control center.
- 🔍 Find an icon with a picture of arrows or lock.
- 👆 Click on the icon to change its status (active/inactive).
- 🛠 If there is no icon, click “Edit” and add it from the list of available ones.
It's important to understand that this method works globally for the entire system, but some applications, such as YouTube or Netflix, may ignore system settings and force horizontal mode when you start a video, in which case locking through the curtain may not work inside the player itself.
Configure through the system parameters menu
If fast access doesn’t work or you prefer a classic settings menu, you can use Android’s regular tools. The path to the desired option may vary slightly on different Xiaomi models, but the overall logic remains the same.
Go to the main settings menu of your device. Find the section that displays information on the display. In modern versions of HyperOS, it is often called simply “Screen”, and in older versions, MIUI can be located inside the “Additional” or “Special features”.
Inside the menu, find the "Scream Turn" switch, turn it to "Switched Off," and then the phone will ignore the gyro and accelerometer signals, keeping the vertical orientation, and this is a reliable way that works even in safe mode.
Why can the settings be reset?
In some cases, it is useful to check the settings of special features. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features. Make sure that there are no features that force the change of orientation for people with disabilities if you do not use them.
- 🔧 Open the "Settings" of the phone.
- 🖥 Go to the screen or display section».
- 🔄 Find the item "Screen Turnover».
- ❌ Deactivate the switch to fix the position.
Autorotation management in specific applications
Many users face a situation where the screen is turned only in certain applications, ignoring the general settings of the system. This is normal behavior for Android, since application developers can set their priorities. For example, gallery and video players often have built-in lock or, conversely, forced horizontal mode.
In a standard Xiaomi video player or Google Photo, orientation control is often put into a separate button right on the play screen. If you want to watch vertical video on the full screen, turn the phone even if the system is locked, the application in this case has a higher priority.
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Application Priority: Settings within a particular app (such as YouTube or TikTok) often override system settings for autorotating.
For browsers, the situation is similar. If you read an article horizontally, the browser can automatically deploy content. To avoid this, some browsers allow you to fix orientation in their internal settings. Check the browser menu, usually hidden behind three dots in the corner.
If you need to strictly prohibit the rotation in a particular application that behaves incorrectly, you can use third-party utilities. However, standard MIUI tools can not control the behavior of each application separately – either global locking or the permissions of the software itself work.
- 📺 Check the settings inside the video player or gallery.
- 🌐 In browsers, look for the option “PC version” or fix orientation.
- ⚙️ Use third-party apps to fine-tune if standard ones aren't enough.
Comparison of settings in MIUI and HyperOS
With Xiaomi’s move to the new HyperOS operating system, the location of some controls has changed. Users who are used to MIUI 12 or 13 may find it difficult to find familiar switches.
| Parameter | MIUI (old versions) | HyperOS (new versions) |
|---|---|---|
| Location in the curtain | It's often called "Orientation." | It's more commonly called "Autopoporot" |
| Settings menu | Settings → Screen → Autoturn | Settings → Screen → Autoturn (sometimes hidden) |
| Logic of work | On = Turning allowed | On = Turning allowed (standard) |
| Additional functions | Less animation settings | Improved windows and multitasking |
HyperOS also has improved multi-window mode, so when you split the screen into two apps, the orientation may behave differently, and if one application requires horizontal mode and the other requires vertical mode, the system will try to find a compromise or force both windows to be deployed, which can be inconvenient.
⚠️ Note: When updating with MIUI On HyperOS, your old settings can be reset. After the first start of the updated system, be sure to check the status of the autorotor switch.
The interface became more minimal, and some minor switches could be moved into subsections. If you don't find the option in a familiar place, search for settings. Type the word "turn" into the search bar at the top of the settings menu, and the system will specify the item.
Use of special opportunities for fixation
Android has a special feature section designed for people with disabilities, but it's also useful for ordinary users, and you can find the screen fix feature or similar options that allow you to block not only a turn, but also random clicks.
Activating this feature allows you to pin the current app to the screen. To exit this mode, you will need to press a combination of buttons (usually "Back" and "Menu" at the same time) or enter a pin code. This is useful if you give the phone to the child to watch cartoons and want him not to turn off the video or turn the screen over.
☑️ Checking availability settings
Be careful with this feature, as it blocks navigation on the system. If you forget the exit combination or password, access to other functions of the phone will be limited until unlocked. Use this method only in specific situations when you need complete isolation of the current application.
You can also set up one-handed or voice controls in this section, which indirectly affect how you interact with the screen as you rotate it, and disabling the extra assistants can make it more comfortable to use the phone vertically.
Solving problems with the gyroscope and accelerometer
Sometimes the problem is not the software settings, but the sensors are not working properly. If the screen turns on its own, twitches or, conversely, does not respond to your actions even when you turn on autorotor, you may need calibration. Xiaomi smartphones have an engineering menu to check the equipment.
To access the diagnostics, dial the phone app code ##6484##. The CIT menu will open. Find the "Gyroscope" or "Sensor" list. Follow the instructions on the calibration screen. Put the phone on a flat surface and press the calibration button.
The path to the engineering menu:
1. Open "Calls"
2.Type ##6484###
3. Select the Gyroscope
4.Push Calibrate.If calibration doesn't work, the problem may be physical, the fall or impact could damage the sensor, in which case the software turning off will be the only way to use the phone comfortably, and it's also worth checking whether the screen is glued to a protective film too thick, which sometimes affects the operation of proximity sensors and accelerometer.
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Reboot your phone periodically, and the accumulation of temporary files and errors in system processes can cause sensors, including the gyroscope, to malfunction.
In rare cases, third-party applications that request access to motion sensors are to blame. Check the permission list for newly installed programs. If a flashlight or voice recorder app requires access to an accelerometer, this is suspicious and can cause conflicts.