Learn how to automatically enable screen rotation for specific apps like Apple TV, YouTube, VLC, and Netflix on your iPhone.
The reason to do this
Screen rotation lock is enabled on my iPhone at all times. As a result, the screen remains fixed in portrait mode, whether I’m using the phone in bed or tilting it slightly, ensuring it doesn’t accidentally switch to landscape orientation.
However, when I open video apps like Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, VLC Media Player, Infuse, and others, I want my iPhone’s screen rotation lock to turn off so that when I rotate my phone, the video automatically plays in full screen. Instead of reaching for the top right corner to open Control Center and manually toggle the screen rotation lock on and off, I’ve configured a simple automation to handle this task.
How it works
- You create a screen orientation automation that works without your intervention.
- When you open that specific app (like Apple TV), your iPhone will automatically enable screen rotation. Simply rotate your phone to watch the video or use that app in full landscape mode.
- When you exit that app, your iPhone will automatically turn off screen rotation.
Automatically activate and deactivate screen rotation for specific iPhone apps
1) Open the built-in iOS Shortcuts app and find the Automation tab.
2) Tap the Automation button to create one. If you already have an automation, tap the plus button (+) instead.
3) Scroll down the Personal Automation screen and select App from the list of conditions.
4) Tap Choose, select one or more apps where you want this automation to work, and hit Done.
5) Check both ‘Is Opened‘ and ‘Is Closed‘ to ensure that screen rotation turns on when you open the app and automatically turns off when you exit it. Then, select Run Immediately and tap Next. You can keep “Notify When Run” turned off to let things work in the background without sending you a notification.
6) Tap the Set Orientation Lock action located under the Get Started section, or use the search bar to find it.
7) Leave the blue Toggle option as-is so that both ON and OFF actions can take place. Then, tap Done, and you’re all set.
From now on, when you open the apps selected in step 4, your iPhone’s screen rotation will automatically be enabled. It will turn off when you swipe up to exit the app.
Ensure the automation works
- Open iPhone Control Center and ensure the portrait orientation lock is turned on. When it’s on, the arrow and padlock icons are red, preventing the screen from rotating if you turn your iPhone sideways.
- Now, open one of the apps you selected while creating the automation (Apple TV, in my case). Once inside the app, the screen rotation automation will run in the background, turning off the screen rotation lock. As a result, when you turn your iPhone sideways, the display will rotate. To check, open Control Center in the app, and you’ll see that the rotation lock icon is white, indicating it’s off.
- Finally, when you exit the app, the screen rotation lock will automatically turn back on.
If the automation doesn’t work, wait at least a minute before retrying. You might also consider restarting your iPhone, and checking to confirm it’s running the latest version of iOS.
If you no longer need to use this automation in the future, swipe left on it in the Shortcuts app and tap Delete.
Do more with iOS automations: