Rotate Your Phone Video: Easy Ways to Fix the Video Orientation

It is a common problem: after recording a video on Android perfectly, when you play it again, it appears sideways. This usually happens because the phone was held in a different orientation during recording. If you are wondering how to rotate a video on Android, you do not always need to use a video editor; there is already a built-in tool to help you. If you are looking for the right method to rotate a video on Android, you are on the right track.

Part 1. Common Scenarios to Rotate a Video on Android

When a video needs to be rotated, there are several reasons, especially if the footage does not appear in the correct orientation after recording. Here are some common situations in which you may need to fix the video.

• The phone was held horizontally or vertically by mistake, resulting in sideways playback.
• Videos sometimes appear upside down depending on how the phone was positioned during the recording.
• Recorded a video vertically, but needed to view it horizontally for a wider screen display.
• Some platforms handle video orientation differently, so uploading it in the intended orientation is necessary.
• Other apps interpret the video orientation differently; a video that looks good in one app may appear sideways in another.

Part 2. How to Rotate a Video on Android Without an App (Built-in Methods)

1. Using Google Photos (The Easiest & Most Universal Way)

Google Photos is one of the simplest built-in options for viewing images and videos on your Android. Still, it also has a video editing feature to help you rotate a video. With this app, you can permanently change the video's orientation and save a corrected copy. If you want to rotate your phone video because it was recorded the other way around, follow the steps below to edit it.

Step 1Open Google Photos and find the video you want to rotate in your photo library.

Step 2At the bottom, click Edit and select Crop. Here, you can tap the Rotate button to rotate the video by 90 degrees each time. Tap it continuously until the video is positioned correctly.

Step 3Tap the Save or Save copy to keep the rotated version on your Android device.

2. Using the Default Gallery App (For Samsung, Xiaomi, Redmi & Other Brands)

Most Android phones have a Gallery app where you can view, edit, and share recorded videos. With the basic video editing feature, you can rotate a video by 90 degrees on Android with a few taps. However, some editing buttons vary by manufacturer. To get a clue on how to rotate the video, follow our guide.

Step 1Open the Gallery app on your Android and locate the video you want to edit. Then, tap the Edit button, which is usually shown as a pencil.

Step 2Find Crop, Transform, or Rotate to access the feature that helps you correct the video's orientation. Tap the Rotate until you get the angle that you want.

Step 3Take a quick preview of the edited video, then click Save or Done to create a copy.

3. Using the Auto-Rotate Setting (For Playing Videos Correctly)

Unlike the previous options we mentioned, Auto-rotate differs in that it does not permanently change the video file's orientation. Instead, it controls how your screen responds when you physically turn the device to the other side. If your Android video is not rotating even after activating this feature, check whether the video player supports screen rotation.

Step 1Open the video you want to play in a different orientation, then swipe down from the top to open the Quick Settings on your Android.

Step 2Here, find the Auto-rotate, Portrait, or Landscape button and tap it.

Step 3Go back to the video and turn your phone sideways to adjust the video's orientation temporarily.

Part 3. How to Rotate a Video on Android Using Free Apps (For More Control)

1. InShot

InShot is a simple video editor that works well for quick edits on your Android device, such as rotating videos. So, if you are looking for a way to rotate a video on your PC using InShot, use the AVAide tool we have here. It has a clean interface, which makes it easy to master and find the basic tools for your editing needs. Before you export the video, you can take a quick preview of it to see if it is positioned correctly. To learn how to rotate a video on Android, follow the guidelines here.

Step 1After downloading the app, upload the video you want to rotate, then tap the Rotate button that appears below.

Step 2As you tap the button, it will rotate to a certain angle. Tap it more until you reach the orientation you want. Then, click the Save button.

2. CapCut

If you are looking for an app with more editing features, CapCut offers greater control over your video and even supports the CapCut image enhancer to upscale the image quality. The rotation feature also includes trimming, transitions, effects, text, filters, and other creative editing tools you will surely love as an editor on Android. Back to the rotation feature: it offers a 90-degree Android video rotation adjustment that corrects your video's orientation before you export. Do you want to know how? Read this.

Step 1Download the app from the Play Store and launch it. After that, click New Project to select the video you want to edit in this app.

Step 2Tap the timeline and choose the edit menu. Next, tap the rotate button repeatedly until you get the desired result.

Step 3Finally, choose the video quality and export it.

3. AVAide Video Converter

AVAide Video Converter is a desktop app that offers a wide range of video editing tools, giving you more control over the videos you edit or convert. Unlike CapCut and InShot, this is better suited for those who use Windows or Mac for editing rather than for editing directly on an Android phone. It can rotate videos and even flip them upside down. Though it is a desktop tool, it remains user-friendly and well-made, producing professional output for everyone who uses it. Learn how the app works and handles this easy task in just 3 easy steps.

Step 1Download the free version of the software to your computer by clicking the appropriate download button here. Then follow the installation steps and set it up.

Step 2Go to the Toolbox, and find the Video Rotator. After that, click the + button to upload the video you recorded on Android for editing here.

Step 3Under the Rotation, click the rotation button you want to apply to the video; you can rotate left or right, or flip it upside down. Once you have previewed and are satisfied, click the Export button.

Part 4. Troubleshooting – Android Video Not Rotating?

1. Auto-Rotate Is Turned Off

When you physically turn the phone, and it remains in portrait or landscape, it means that the auto-rotate feature is disabled. With these settings, you can control the screen orientation, which affects how the videos are viewed. Enabling it lets supported apps change orientation when you turn the device to the other side.

2. The Video File Itself Is the Issue

Aside from Android settings, the main problem may already be in the video file. A video is usually taken in a specific orientation, landscape or portrait, but it can also have incorrect orientation information. If it is wrong across different video players, you need to edit it using a video rotator editor.

3. App-Specific Rotation Issues

Some video players and streaming apps have their own orientation controls that lock the screen to a specific orientation even when auto-rotate is enabled. If the video rotates correctly in other apps, the original app is likely responsible for the inability to rotate.

4. Outdated Software

An outdated system or video app can cause playback issues and screen rotation problems. Software updates fix bugs like this, so keeping both Android and your video apps up to date can prevent this problem.

5. Stuck or Broken Sensors

Lastly, all Android devices rely on motion sensors to determine their position. If these sensors are not working properly, the screen remains fixed to a certain orientation even if auto-rotate is enabled. If rotation fails across multiple apps, the issues might be related to the phone's hardware rather than the issues we mentioned earlier.

By Ben Carter on Sep 02, 2026