How to Fix Auto-Rotate Not Working on iOS 26?

When you turn your iPhone to watch a video or view a photo, but the screen stubbornly refuses to switch to landscape mode. Quite irritating, right? Many iPhone users have reported that their screen won't rotate even when turning the device sideways.

In this guide, we'll walk you through several proven solutions to fix auto-rotate not working on iOS 26 — from checking the Rotation Lock and restarting your device, to updating your system and resetting key settings. By the end, your screen should rotate smoothly again just like it's supposed to.

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Auto Rotate Not Working?

If your iPhone auto-rotate is not working, it usually means a setting or sensor issue is preventing the screen from adjusting when you turn your device. Here are the most common reasons:

1. Rotation Lock is enabled — This is the top cause. If the Rotation Lock icon is turned on in Control Center, your screen will stay fixed in portrait mode.

2. App limitations — Some apps (like the Home Screen, certain games, or camera modes) don't support rotation.

3. Display Zoom is on — If Display Zoom is enabled under Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom, it can block rotation on some models.

4. Software glitch — Temporary iOS bugs may cause rotation sensors to stop responding properly.

5. Hardware issue — The gyroscope or accelerometer (which detects movement) might be malfunctioning.

Part 2. How to Fix Auto-Rotate Not Working on iOS 26?

Fix 1. Check the Portrait Orientation Lock

This is the most frequent reason for the screen not rotating. The Portrait Orientation Lock, when active, forces your screen to stay in portrait (vertical) mode, no matter how you hold your device.

To check it, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center. Look for the icon that has a padlock with a circular arrow around it.

• If this icon is highlighted (often in white or red), it means your screen orientation is locked.
• Tap the icon to turn the lock off. The icon will dim, and a message "Portrait Orientation Lock: Off" should appear at the top of your screen.

Once this lock is disabled, go to an app that supports rotation (like Safari or YouTube) and turn your phone sideways to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 2. Test in a Different App

Before proceeding, it's important to know that not all apps are designed to rotate. Some apps and even the Home Screen may be locked to portrait mode by their developers.

To confirm if the issue is system-wide, open an app you know supports landscape mode, such as the Safari browser, the Photos app (when viewing a picture), or YouTube. If the screen rotates in these apps but not in another specific app, the problem is with that app and not your iPhone

Fix 3. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can clear up many minor software glitches that might be causing the problem.

Step 1: Press and hold the side button and either one of the volume buttons simultaneously.

Step 2: Continue holding them until the "slide to power off" slider appears.

Step 3: Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off.

Step 4: After 30 seconds, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Once your iPhone has rebooted, test the rotation again.

Fix 4. Verify Display Zoom Settings

If you are using the "Display Zoom" feature to make text and icons larger, this can sometimes disable landscape mode on the Home Screen and in certain apps.

To check this, navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness. Scroll down and tap on Display Zoom. If this is set to "Zoomed," try changing it to "Standard" and tap "Set." Your iPhone may restart briefly to apply the change, after which you can test the auto-rotate function again.

Fix 5. Update iOS and Apps

Outdated software is one of the most common reasons why iOS 26 auto-rotate is not working. Regular updates often include bug fixes that can restore proper screen rotation.

Here's how to update your iPhone and apps:

Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update, then install any available updates.

Update Apps: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and choose Update All.

Once everything is updated, restart your iPhone and test the auto-rotate feature again. In many cases, this simple step resolves the issue instantly.

Fix 6. Reset All Settings

If none of the previous steps have worked, the issue may be a corrupted setting. You can reset all system settings without losing your personal data like photos, apps, or messages. However, this will reset all your preferences for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, and more, so use this as a later option.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. From the menu, tap Reset All Settings. You will need to enter your passcode to confirm.

Part 3. [No Data Loss] One-click to Fix Auto-Rotate Not Working on iOS 26

While the methods above solve most common cases, what happens when the auto-rotate not working on iOS 26 problem is deeper than a simple setting? Persistent issues, especially after a major iOS update, often point to a more complex software glitch or a corrupted file within the operating system itself.

Before you consider a full factory reset, which erases all your personal data, a dedicated system repair tool is often the best next step. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is a professional tool designed to fix over 150 different iOS system issues, including iPhone screen won't rotate, iPhone stuck in Portrait Mode, and iPad screen issue, without causing any data loss. It works by safely reinstalling the iOS firmware to repair the underlying problem.

If you have exhausted all other options, here is how to use TunesKit's Standard Mode to fix the issue.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone

Download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery onto your Windows or Mac computer, and launch it. Connect your iPhone to the computer using an Apple USB cable. Once the program detects your device, select the "iOS System Repair" module and click the "Start" button to begin.

Step 2 Select Standard Repair Mode

You will be presented with two options: Standard Repair and Deep Repair. It is crucial to select Standard Repair first. This mode resolves most common system issues (like auto-rotate failing) and, most importantly, it does not erase any of your data. (Deep Repair is only for very severe issues and will erase your device).

Step 3 Download the Firmware Package

The software will automatically detect your iPhone model and the latest iOS 26 firmware. Confirm that the information is correct, and then click the "Download" button. The program will download the necessary firmware file to repair your phone.

Step 4Start the Repair Process

Once the firmware has been downloaded and verified, you will see a "Repair" button. Click it to begin the system repair. Ensure your iPhone remains connected to the computer throughout this entire process.

The repair may take several minutes. Once it is finished, your iPhone will restart automatically, and the TunesKit software will show a "Repair Completed" message. You can then disconnect your iPhone and test the auto-rotate function, which should now be working correctly.

Part 4. Conclusion

This guide explains how to fix auto-rotate not working on iOS 26. You can try the above methods one by one. For more persistent software glitches, you can use TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This professional tool can fix over 150 different system issues, using a Standard Repair mode that specifically resolves problems like failed auto-rotation without erasing any of your personal data. Try it now by clicking the download button.