The appearance of a small icon with the image of the lock and arrows on the screen of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is often puzzling for users, especially if the device suddenly ceases to respond to a change in position in space. This symbol indicates the activation of the screen lock function, which forcibly captures the image in a vertical or horizontal position, ignoring the data from the accelerometer. In the Android operating system, on top of which the MIUI shell runs, this option is implemented for the convenience of reading text or viewing content in a fixed orientation.
Many Xiaomi Redmi owners accidentally activate this feature, trying to quickly change the volume or brightness through the notification center, and subsequently can not understand why YouTube videos or games do not go into full-screen mode. You can unlock the screen instantly, but in some cases the system may not work correctly, requiring deeper intervention in settings. Understanding the principle of operation of the accelerometer and software constraints will help you fully control the behavior of the display of your gadget.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the purpose of this indicator, how to turn it on and off through different system interfaces, and also address problems when the icon is present but the screen is not rotating. You will learn how to automatically turn to your usage habits and learn why some applications ignore the system settings.
Functional purpose of the lock indicator
The icon, often referred to by users as simply the “orientation icon,” is technically an indicator of the status of the automatic turn lock. When the symbol is active and illuminated (usually in blue or orange depending on the MIUI design the smartphone forcibly keeps the interface in its current orientation, preventing the image from accidentally turning over when you, for example, lie on your side and hold the phone in your hand, which is especially true for models with large diagonals of the Redmi Note series screen.
The main purpose of this feature is to ensure the stability of the visual interface. Imagine a situation where you are reading a long article or flipping through the tape of a social network in the prone position: without blocking, the slightest movement of the brush could turn the screen, knocking the reading. The touch screen, combined with a gyroscope, creates a convenient environment, but requires manual control in certain use scenarios.
⚠️ Note: In some versions of the firmware MIUI The logic of the icon can be inverted depending on the regional settings, so always check the actual screen behavior when you turn the device, rather than relying only on the color of the icon.
It is important to distinguish between software lock and hardware malfunction. If the orientation icon is missing, but the screen still does not turn, the problem may lie in the calibration of sensors or the conflict of running applications. However, the burning icon itself indicates only a software ban on changing the display format that is installed by the user.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the screen rotation lock with the "Autoporate" function in the accessibility settings, which is designed for people with disabilities and works according to other algorithms.
Control through notification curtain and control center
The fastest way to change the orientation lock state is to use the Quick Access Bar. Modern versions of the MIUI shell may have different interfaces depending on whether you use the Classic or the updated Control Center style, which is similar to iOS. To access the settings, you need to swipe from top to bottom on the screen. In the classic mode, the curtain leaves completely, in the new one, switches open first, and notifications move to the side.
Find a lock-like symbol inscribed in a circle of two arrows among the icons, or just a lock that says "Orientation." Pressing this element instantly changes its state: if the icon is on, turn is blocked, if gray or not, is allowed. This system resolution is the highest priority for most standard applications.
- 🔒 Active mode: the icon is illuminated, the screen is fixed in the current position (vertical or horizontal).
- 🔓 Passive mode: the icon is inactive, the device responds to tilts and changes the orientation of the interface automatically.
- ⚙️ Long press: in some versions MIUI Long-click on the icon can open advanced sensor settings.
- 🔄 Resetting: If the icon is “slip”, try switching it several times in a row to reset the program flag.
It is worth noting that in some scenarios, using a curtain can be uncomfortable, such as when the hands are busy or the screen is wet. In such cases, the alternative is to use physical buttons or voice assistants if they are configured accordingly.
Configure through the system parameters menu
If you are not able to control through the curtain for some reason or want to adjust the behavior of the screen in more detail, you should refer to the main menu of Xiaomi settings. The path to the desired option can vary depending on the version of Android and the shell MIUI (Global, China, EEA versions).
To jump to settings, unlock your phone and find the Settings app. Next, the algorithm is this: select Screen, then scroll down to Screen Orientation or Autoturn, where you can not only turn the feature on or off, but also adjust the sensitivity or behavior in specific applications, if this option is supported by your version of firmware. Deep tuning avoids situations where the interface behaves unpredictably.
☑️ Checking screen settings
The table below shows you the approximate ways to set up for different versions of the interface, which will help you navigate if the standard path doesn’t match:
| MIUI version | The path to adjustment | Switch location |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Screen → Orientation | At the top of the list |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Additional functions | Under "Orientation" |
| MIUI Global | Settings → Display → Autoturn | Just under the brightness |
| Android 13+ (Stock) | Settings → System → Language and input | Advanced settings |
Sometimes, after a software update, the paths to the menu may change. If you can't find the right item, search inside the settings by typing in a "turn" or "orientation" request. This is the most reliable way to find hidden or renamed options in a new version of the operating system.
Problems with autoturning and their solution
Often, users are faced with a situation where the orientation icon is turned off, but the Xiaomi Redmi screen still does not respond to the turns of the device. This can be caused by a malfunction of the accelerometer sensor, which is responsible for determining the position of the phone in space.
Another common cause is application conflict: Some programs, especially video players or launchers, can force the screen's orientation control to take over. If you notice that the problem only occurs in one particular application, check its internal settings. In MIUI system settings, you can activate the "Orientation Fix" mode for all windows, which you need to manually disable.
Hidden sensor calibration
If software methods don't work, there may be physical damage to the sensor after the device falls, in which case the orientation icon can behave chaoticly, and it's also worth checking if the screen is too thick or if there is a cover that mechanically interferes with the sensors, although this is rare for an accelerometer.
- 📱 Reboot: the first action in any failures – the full cycle of switching off and on the smartphone.
- 🧹 Cache Clearance: Cleaning temporary system files can fix interface errors.
- 🛠️ Resetting: Resetting all settings to factory settings helps in extreme cases, but be sure to back up the data.
Features of work in applications and games
It's important to understand that orientation icons in Android are not absolute laws for all applications. Software developers can set their own display logic. For example, many games by default run only horizontally, ignoring vertical locking, because gameplay requires landscape orientation.
MIUI has a Second Space feature, or split-screen modes, that also affect orientation behavior. When you run two apps at the same time (Split-screen), the system can block rotation to keep text readable in both windows, in which case the orientation icon can burn even if you didn't turn it on, as this is a system restriction on multitasking.
⚠️ Attention: In some severe 3D-In games, forced turning on autorotation during level loading can lead to an application crash or an interface shift.
Video players like YouTube or VLC have their own rules, and if you watch a full-screen video, the rotation is usually unlocked automatically, but if you use the picture-in-picture feature, the system can fix the orientation of the main screen so that the video window does not overlap the content in an inconvenient way.
Use of third-party utilities for management
If Xiaomi's standard tools aren't enough, Google Play offers a variety of advanced orientation management apps, like Rotation Control, which allows you to create profiles, such as automatically lock when you start your browser and turn off when you open your gallery, which intercept system signals and control touch input more flexibly than a standard shell.
Installing third-party software requires care: make sure the application has good reviews and does not ask for unnecessary permissions. Some utilities can add their icon to the status bar, which duplicates the system, which can confuse the user.
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Use script-enabled launcher apps if you need sophisticated automatic orientation management based on time of day or location.
When using such programs, remember that they consume additional battery power, as they constantly poll the device's sensors. For most users, built-in MIUI capabilities are enough, but for specific tasks, such as using a smartphone as a navigator in a car or a digital photo frame, third-party tools can be indispensable.