The lock with a circular arrow around it on your iPhone is the Portrait Orientation Lock icon. It means your screen won’t rotate to landscape when you turn your phone sideways. To turn it off, open Control Center and tap the lock-and-arrow button so it’s no longer highlighted. On iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. On iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
How to turn off the lock with a circle on your iPhone
iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and later)
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
- Tap the Portrait Orientation Lock button (a lock inside a circular arrow). When it’s on, it’s white with a red icon.
- You’ll see Portrait Orientation Lock: Off at the top of Control Center.
On Face ID iPhones, the lock icon only appears in the status bar when Control Center is open, so you may not notice it’s on until the screen won’t rotate.
iPhone with a Home button (iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier)
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open Control Center.
- Tap the Portrait Orientation Lock button to turn it off.
On these iPhones, the lock icon stays in the status bar at the top of the screen whenever orientation lock is on.
Can’t find the button? Add it back to Control Center
Starting with iOS 18, you can rearrange and remove Control Center buttons, so the lock may be missing.
- Open Control Center and tap the + in the top-left corner (or touch and hold an empty area).
- Tap Add a Control.
- Search for Orientation Lock and tap it to add it.
Screen still won’t rotate?
- The app doesn’t support landscape. Many apps, and the Home Screen on most iPhones, only work in portrait. Try an app like Safari, Photos, or Calculator to test.
- Display Zoom is on. On Plus and Max models, the Home Screen can’t rotate with Display Zoom set to Larger Text. Check Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
- You’re holding it flat. Hold the phone upright and turn it; lying flat on a table often won’t trigger rotation.
- Restart your iPhone if rotation stopped working in every app.
Why use Portrait Orientation Lock?
It’s handy when you read in bed or on your side, since the screen won’t flip when you tilt your head. Many people turn it on and forget about it. Videos in apps like YouTube and Netflix can still play full screen by tapping the full-screen button, even with the lock on.
Frequently asked questions
Is the lock with a circle a security warning?
No. It has nothing to do with passcodes or security. It only controls screen rotation.
Can I lock my iPhone in landscape instead?
No. iPhone only offers a portrait lock. Some apps, like games and video players, stay in landscape on their own.
What’s the lock icon at the top of my iPad?
It’s the same idea. On iPad, it’s called Rotation Lock and locks the screen in whatever orientation it’s in when you turn it on.
What do the other icons at the top of my iPhone mean?
Apple’s Status icons and symbols on your iPhone support page lists every status bar icon.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.