Having your WhatsApp video call rotate unexpectedly can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are a few ways to prevent this from happening on both iPhone and Android devices.
Quick Summary
Here are the key takeaways for stopping WhatsApp video call rotation:
- On iPhone, enable Portrait Orientation Lock in Control Center or in Settings to lock orientation.
- On Android, enable Auto-Rotate in Quick Settings to lock orientation. Some devices have a portrait lock button.
- Adjust your phone’s orientation before answering a WhatsApp call to set the desired orientation.
- Use a phone stand or prop your phone up instead of holding it to minimize orientation changes.
- Make sure WhatsApp app settings don’t override system orientation lock settings.
Detailed Guide for iPhone
Here are the steps to prevent WhatsApp video call rotation on iPhone:
Use Orientation Lock
The easiest way is to enable Portrait Orientation Lock on your iPhone. This prevents the screen orientation from automatically changing between portrait and landscape modes.
There are two ways to enable orientation lock:
- Control Center: Swipe down from top right corner to open Control Center. Tap the Orientation Lock icon (circular arrow icon). The icon will turn blue when activated.
- Settings: Open Settings app > Display & Brightness. Toggle on Portrait Orientation Lock under Orientation Lock section.
Now your iPhone screen will stay locked in portrait mode, preventing WhatsApp video calls from rotating.
Adjust Orientation Before Answering Call
You can also simply adjust your iPhone’s orientation manually before answering a WhatsApp video call:
- When you get a WhatsApp incoming video call, don’t answer it immediately.
- Position your iPhone in your preferred orientation, either portrait or landscape.
- Once your iPhone is positioned, now answer the WhatsApp video call.
This will prevent any unwanted orientation changes during the call.
Use Phone Stand
Using a phone stand or propping your iPhone against something can also minimize orientation changes during a call.
Try to position your iPhone so you can view it hands-free. This will prevent you from accidentally shifting its orientation when holding it.
Check WhatsApp Settings
Make sure WhatsApp settings are not set to override the system orientation lock:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Chats.
- Make sure Rotate to Landscape Mode is disabled.
This ensures WhatsApp follows your iPhone’s orientation lock settings.
Detailed Guide for Android
On Android devices, here’s how to stop WhatsApp video calls from auto-rotating:
Use Auto-Rotate Button
Most Android devices have a quick settings Auto-Rotate button you can toggle on/off:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap the Auto-Rotate button to disable auto rotation and lock orientation.
The icon will have a crossed-out circular arrow when disabled. This locks your orientation.
Use Portrait Lock Button
Some Android devices also have a dedicated Portrait Lock button in Quick Settings:
- Open Quick Settings and look for a Portrait Lock or Vertical Lock button.
- Tap the button to lock orientation to portrait mode.
The icon will change when activated. This prevents video calls from going landscape.
Adjust Orientation Before Answering
As with iPhone, you can manually adjust your Android’s orientation before answering a WhatsApp video call:
- When you get an incoming WhatsApp video call, don’t answer it right away.
- Position your phone in the desired orientation first.
- Once it’s positioned, now answer the video call.
Answering the call after positioning your phone prevents unexpected rotation.
Use Phone Stand
You can also minimize rotation issues during WhatsApp video calls by using a phone stand or propping your device up. This allows you to view the screen hands-free.
Check WhatsApp Settings
Make sure WhatsApp isn’t set to override system auto-rotate settings:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats.
- Disable Rotate to Landscape Mode.
This makes WhatsApp follow your device’s orientation settings.
Other Orientation Locking Tips
Here are some additional tips to help prevent unwanted rotation during WhatsApp video calls:
- Update your iPhone or Android device to the latest OS version for stability improvements.
- Reset the gyroscope on your phone if orientation gets stuck in incorrect mode.
- Check that WhatsApp app is also updated to the latest version.
- Clear cached data for WhatsApp app which could fix issues.
- Disconnect any wired headphones or adapters which could impact orientation detection.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb mode on your phone to prevent interruptions during calls.
Troubleshooting Issues
If you’re still having problems with unwanted rotation during WhatsApp video calls, here are some troubleshooting steps:
Restart Your Phone
Restarting your iPhone or Android device resets all settings and fixes temporary glitches. Here’s how:
- iPhone – Hold Power + Volume Down buttons until powered off. Power back on.
- Android – Hold down Power button, tap Restart when prompted.
Restarting your phone may resolve any orientation lock issues.
Update WhatsApp
An outdated version of WhatsApp could be the culprit. Update to the latest version:
- iPhone – Open App Store, tap Updates tab, check for WhatsApp update.
- Android – Open Play Store, tap Menu > My Apps & Games, check for WhatsApp updates.
Install any pending WhatsApp updates and test video calls again.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting network settings on your phone clears any problematic WiFi, mobile data, or Bluetooth settings:
- iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Android – Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Data, and Bluetooth.
This wipes all networks and reconnects from scratch which could fix call issues.
Factory Reset Your Phone
If all else fails, a factory reset clears out all data and settings on your device:
- iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Android – Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset).
This will wipe your device and restore it to factory default settings. Only use as a last resort.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp video call rotation can be easily avoided by enabling orientation lock on iPhone or Android before calls. Adjusting phone position manually, using phone stands, and checking WhatsApp settings can also help prevent unwanted rotation.
Troubleshoot issues by restarting your device, updating WhatsApp, resetting network settings, or factory reset if needed. With these tips, you can keep your WhatsApp video chats upright and enjoy stable video calls.