iPhone 4S Stuck in Landscape Mode

Some users have noticed that when they switch to landscape mode, it is difficult to go back to portrait since the phone would be stuck in landscape mode. The workaround for this problem is that you can lock the phone in portrait mode so that it does not change its orientation even if it is using an app that requires it to switch to landscape mode.

Solution 1: Toggle the Orientation lock

iOS 6 or earlier versions:

  • Double tap the home button to bring up the multitasking bar.
  • Scroll to the left and you will find the Orientation lock
  • Tap on the lock to fix the orientation in portrait mode or if it is switched On already then it is possible that your phone is locked in landscape mode because of this. Switch it Off and check if your problem is fixed.

iOS 7 and newer versions:

  • Bring up the Control Center of your phone by swiping up from the bottom of the phone
  • You will notice a lock on the top right corner of the screen
  • Tap on the lock icon to lock your iPhone 4S in portrait mode and if it is already locked in landscape mode then tap on it to unlock.

If this is not working for you or you do not want to lock your device in portrait mode, then consider resetting the device to factory settings. This will fix the problem but make sure that you back up all important data and files before you begin restoring your iPhone 4S.

Solution 2: Kill the app and re-launch it

Alternatively, there is a possibility that the problem lies in the app and not in your phone. Sometimes, an app can get stuck or frozen so simply kill the app and launch it again.

Users with iOS 6 or older versions must bring up the multitasking bar by double tapping on the home button and then tap on the red (-) button next to the app to kill it.

In iOS 7 and newer versions, you double tap the home button to see the apps that are currently running in the background. Swipe up the app that you want to kill.

Re-launch the app and you will find that the orientation problem has been fixed.

Solution 3: (iOS 7 and iOS 8 specific) Calibrate the compass

A number of iOS7 and iOS8 users have complained of being stuck in a particular orientation for a long time. It appears that calibrating the compass can fix the orientation problem and help you use your phone is portrait and landscape mode without any fuss.

  • Open the Compass App
  • Go to the Level section of the app
  • Tap on Calibrate the Compass
  • Begin turning your iPhone on its sides repeatedly so that the compass can calibrate itself

Once it is calibrated, try using the iPhone 4S in different orientations to check if the problem has been fixed.

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