How to Turn the Screen on Xiaomi Phone: All Ways + Problem Solving

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market, but even experienced users sometimes face basic problems, one of which is the inability to turn the screen horizontally or, conversely, to fix the vertical display. The reasons can vary from an accidental autorotation to software failures after the MIUI update. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to change the orientation of the screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, and also explain how to fix typical problems.

Xiaomi devices feature a proprietary shell MIUI, which sometimes makes its own adjustments to standard Android settings. For example, on some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the autorotation function is hidden deeper than on “pure” Android. In addition, after upgrading to MIUI 14/15, the menu interface may change — we took this into account in the instructions. If your phone does not respond to a turn, do not rush to blame the iron: in 90% of cases, the problem is solved software.

Before you start settings, check two points:

1. Make sure there is no physical damage on the phone (such as cracks on the screen or moisture).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version - in old firmware there are bugs with a turn sensor.

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1. Standard method: turning on the screen autorotation

The most obvious method is to activate the auto-rotation function, which on Xiaomi can be disabled by default or accidentally deactivated by the user, to enable it:

Instructions for MIUI 12-15:

1. Open the notification bar by swiping your finger from top to bottom.
2. Find the "Cross" button, if it's not there, swipe left over the panel to open all the icons.
3. Tap the button once, it should be illuminated in blue or green.

If the button is not there, even after you scroll, it's hidden in the settings.

1. Go to Settings → Notification Panel and Status bar.
2. Select Control of the notification panel.
3. Find it in the Autoturn list and drag it to the active area.

On the POCO F4, Xiaomi 13 Lite and the new Redmi, the autorotate button may be called Screen Rotation or Orientation. If the screen still doesn't turn after turning on, move on to the next section.

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2. Forced rotation through system settings

If the autorotation is on, but the screen is not responding to the change in position of the phone, try to force the orientation in the settings, this method works even on devices with a damaged gyroscope sensor.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Scroll down and select Screen Rotation (on some models – Screen Orientation).
3. Activate the Autoturn switch (if it is turned off).
4. Below you will see the option Forced Album Mode or Fixed Orientation – turn it on.

On MIUI 14+, the path may be different:

Settings → Additional settings → Special features → Screen rotation

If the menu does not contain the option "Forced Mode", use the quick command:

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##7378423##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Service tests → Sensor test.
3. Check the sensor’s response to the turn – if the arrow is not moving, the problem is in the hardware.

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3.Using gestures and hidden MIUI functions

The MIUI shell offers several hidden options for controlling the orientation of the screen that few people know about, for example, on some models (Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi K50) you can gesture the screen on the display even if the autorotation is turned off.

Method 1: Turning gesture (MIUI 13+)

• 👉 Twice swipe the edge of the screen (left to right or top to bottom) – the screen should rotate.
• 🔄 To return to vertical orientation, repeat the gesture in the opposite direction.

Method 2: One Hand Mode

If you are uncomfortable holding your phone horizontally, activate the one-hand mode – it will automatically scale down the interface:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → One hand.
2. Turn on the function and select the side of the offset (left or right).
3. Now, when you turn the phone, the screen will adjust to the position of the hand.

Method 3: Quick Menu (for older models)

On Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi Note 8 Pro and other devices with MIUI 11 and below, you can use the hidden turn menu:

1. Hold the power button for 3-5 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Screen Rotation (if there is an option).

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If the gestures don't work, check if the Gestures feature is enabled in the screen settings, and on some firmware, it conflicts with autorotation.

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4.Sensor problems: how to check and fix

If the screen doesn't turn even after turning on the autorotor, the orientation sensor (gyroscope or accelerometer) is to blame. On Xiaomi, it can be tested without third-party applications.

Sensor diagnostics:

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##6484##.
2. Select Manual Test → Sensor → Accelerometer Sensor.
3. Turn the phone – if the X, Y, Z values don’t change, the sensor is faulty.

What to do if the sensor is not working:

• 🔧 Restart your phone – sometimes a temporary crash.
• 📱 Reset sensor settings via the engineering menu (#4636## → Usage statistics → Sensor reset).
• 🔄 Remove the firmware if the problem has occurred after the update MIUI.
• 🛠️ Contact the service – if the sensor is physically damaged, you need repairs.

Temporary solution (if the sensor is broken, but horizontal mode is needed):

Use apps like Rotation Control or Set Orientation from Google Play, which allow you to force-fix orientation without sensors.

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5. Resetting settings and extreme measures

If none of these methods work, radical methods remain, and before you use them, back up the data and reset will delete all settings and files.

Resetting screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Reset Screen Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action - after the restart, check the autoturn.

Full reset (hard reset):

• 📱 Turn off the phone.
• 🔘 Press the power button. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo.
• 🖥️ In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
• 🔄 Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Warning: Full reset deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps, and only use it if other methods have failed and the sensor is in good working order.

Fastboot flashing:

If the problem occurs after the MIUI update, try reflashing the phone manually:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down).
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool to install the firmware.

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6. Features on different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi phones are the same — some models have different rotating features, and we’ve collected key differences for popular devices:

Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra:

Redmi Note 12 Series:

POCO F4/F5:

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite:

• 📲 The autopilot may not work in energy saving mode.
• 🔋 Turn off Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Black Shark (gaming smartphones), screen rotation is controlled via the Shark Space app. MIUI may not work.

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7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make common mistakes that don't turn the screen, and we've collected some of the most common ones.

Error 1: Turn-blocking in applications

Some programs (e.g. Instagram, TikTok) block horizontal mode to check:

Mistake 2: Conflict with the shell

There are bugs on MIUI when the autorotor works on the menu, but not on the apps.

• 🔧 Turn off Settings. → Additional settings → Optimization MIUI.
• 📲 Reboot the phone.

Mistake 3: A cover or magnet

Metal cases or magnets (such as PopSocket) can interfere with the sensor.

• 🧲 Remove the case and check the turn.
• 🔍 Make sure there are no strong magnetic fields nearby (dynamics, charging).

Mistake 4: Do Not Disturb Mode

In some versions of MIUI, Do Not Disturb blocks autoturn.

Settings → Notifications and Status Bar → Do not disturb

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If the screen doesn't turn in just one app, the problem isn't the phone, it's the settings of the program. Check it separately!

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions