How to flip screen on macbook. Three ways to flip the screen to the home position

How do I rotate my Mac's screen? To work with spreadsheets or Word documents I often feel that it would be more useful to have the display in portrait orientation.

For some apps, games, and features (such as coding, digital art, or when using your PC as a status update screen in a public space), it makes sense to rotate your Mac display. Displaying in a landscape (often widescreen) orientation is suitable for most tasks, but not all, and rotating the screen and using it in portrait orientation can be helpful.

Physically, rotating the display is just a matter of accessing the screen mount and rotating it if possible, but you'll also need to access the software settings and tell macOS (or Mac OS X) to display graphics in a view that's rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise (or even 180 degrees if for some reason you want to use the display in reverse). Luckily, this part of the process is very simple and we'll walk through the process below.

Keep in mind that not all monitors can be rotated, and in our experience this works better with external monitors than with a laptop's built-in display. (Again, there aren't many situations in which you'd want to.) For those desperate to rotate their MacBook's built-in screen, we've found a workaround that works, but has side effects, sometimes causing a persistent minor issue (for which we have a solution) and, in at least one case known to us, a much larger problem for which we have no solution. Therefore, we also explain in the MacBook section of this article why we do not recommend rotating the laptop's built-in screen.

1. Open System settings(you can click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences..." from the drop-down menu, or select its gray cog icon in the Dock if you haven't removed it). Select Displays is the first option on the second row.

2. In the Display section (make sure it's highlighted in blue at the top, not Color), there's an option labeled Rotation, which is set to Standard by default. Change this to 90 degrees to rotate the screen clockwise a quarter of a turn.

(Note that if you have two screens, then two windows will appear at this point: one for each display. You can rotate each window separately if you like, and the hardware supports this.)

What if the rotation setting is not displayed?

Generally speaking, the Rotate field appears if your hardware supports this feature, and is hidden if it doesn't. If rotation isn't listed in the Displays list, then you're probably out of luck.

However, in earlier Mac versions OS X, the Rotation field does not appear automatically, and we found that even in macOS Sierra system settings might be forced to offer a "Rotate" option even if it didn't do it automatically. By holding down Alt and Cmd while clicking the System Preferences icon, and then keep holding it while clicking the Displays icon, you can see a rotation option that wasn't there before. (Some people have reported that simply holding Alt + Cmd while opening displays can do the trick, but we've found that you need to do this while opening System Preferences, too. Your mileage may vary.)

Keep in mind that when we used this override to make the Rotation option appear for the laptop's built-in screen (which we'll cover later in this article), we ran into difficulties and are wondering if the Alt + Cmd System override causes Preferences to be presented to the option. which is not officially supported by the hardware.

How to Rotate the Built-in MacBook Display

As noted above, laptops, or at least MacBooks, generally don't offer the ability to rotate their built-in screens. You can try to get around this by holding Alt + Cmd while opening System Preferences > Displays and then selecting the new rotation option that has now appeared.

But there is a warning here.

Some people have found that while screen rotation on a MacBook can be achieved by holding down Alt and Cmd while selecting displays in System Preferences, it causes serious problems afterwards.

My rotated MacBook screen went black!

The author's brother did this, only to find that his MacBook (2016 12-inch model running macOS Sierra) became completely unusable: enter System Preferences to change it back, after which it fails. "

We tried to reproduce the issue on our workhorse Macbook Pro(2015 13-inch model running macOS Sierra and with a second external monitor connected and set as the primary display) and got a different, but also problematic result: the laptop's screen was completely gone. black, and the Displays section of System Preferences (when viewed through an external monitor) no longer recognizes the presence of a laptop screen, even though the laptop itself is still running.

This issue has been reported elsewhere, as have some workarounds; most users find that turning off the laptop and restarting it solves the problem and leaves the laptop screen facing the right way. The author of the above linked thread found that pressing Shift + Cmd + Q and then E to return to the login screen has a similar effect. We tried this and it actually solved our problem, leaving us with a normal external monitor and the laptop's built-in monitor rotated 90 degrees.

Holding Alt + Cmd while selecting System Preferences > Displays and then changing the Rotation setting for the built-in screen back to Standard got us back to square one, without recurring the black screen issue.

So this seems like a good solution, but apparently it's too late for the author's brother, who couldn't be helped by Apple Support over the phone and had to make an appointment to visit a specialist in person. And so, at this time, we advise caution when rotating the built-in MacBook screens and do not recommend it for those who are not confident in their ability to solve problems that arise. We're really wondering if the Alt-Cmd override trick really allows us to access features that aren't officially supported by the hardware, and thus is a bad idea.

How to Rotate a Mac Monitor Mount So It Doesn't Break or Overbalance

Be careful with the display as it rotates. It's important to make sure that it won't be overloaded and that a different orientation is unlikely to put undue stress on the mount - not all displays and not all mount mounts are designed for this kind of rotation. When in doubt, check the documentation online.

If the mounting mechanism isn't up to the job, a new monitor might be worth considering. For our detailed buying advice in this direction, see Best Screens monitors for Mac.

Rotating your computer screen allows you to view the monitor in portrait mode at 90 degrees or flip it upside down in landscape mode. This may be useful for reading documents or e-books or to install monitors in hard-to-reach places.

Rotating the screen on Windows or Mac is usually very easy, but sometimes computer manufacturers make it more difficult. To rotate your computer screen in Windows, you need to go to the " Screen Options» and change settings "Orientation". In some cases, you can also use keyboard shortcuts or check your graphics card's control panel. To rotate your computer screen on a Mac, go to "displays in your system preferences" and change the "Rotation" box in the external display preferences.

Quick Guide

  1. Click right click mouse on the desktop.
  2. Click " Screen Options.
  3. Select menu Orientation.
  4. Select " Landscape ”(inverted) or " Portrait» (inverted).

How to flip the screen on Windows

  • Landscape. This is a standard option for standard monitors.
  • Book. This will rotate the display 90° to the right, so that the right edge of the monitor will now become the bottom of the display.
  • Landscape (inverted)- this will flip your screen upside down so that the top edge of the monitor is now the bottom.
  • Portrait (inverted)- this will rotate the display 90° opposite, so that the left edge becomes the bottom of the display.

How to flip the screen using keyboard shortcuts (Intel).

Some graphics adapters support hotkeys for changing display orientation. You can use these keyboard shortcuts to quickly switch between orientation modes. These combinations will most likely work if you are using an Intel integrated graphics adapter. For many users Nvidia cards or AMD these hotkeys don't work.

  • Ctrl + Alt + ↓ - Flip the screen upside down.
  • Ctrl + Alt + → - Rotate the screen 90° to the right.
  • Ctrl + Alt + ← - Rotate the screen 90° to the left.
  • Ctrl + Alt + - Return the screen to the standard landscape orientation.

Using the video card control panel.

Nvidia, AMD, and Intel graphics adapters usually install a Control Panel that allows you to configure display adapters. You can usually access this Control Panel from the menu that appears when you right-click on the desktop, but you may have to find it in the Start Menu or Windows Control Panel.

Create your own screen rotation hotkeys (AMD).

If you are using a video card AMD or ATI, software Catalyst Control Center allows you to create keyboard shortcuts to rotate the screen.

  • Right-click on the desktop and select Catalyst Control Center.
  • Click the "Settings" button and select "Hotkeys".
  • Select "Display Manager" from the drop-down menu, and then set the keyboard shortcuts you want to use for the different rotation options. The key combinations in step 4 are not usually used for other functions, making them a good choice.
  • Be sure to check the boxes to enable the new hotkeys.

Update your graphics card drivers if you don't have screen rotation options.

If you don't see any rotation options and the keyboard shortcuts don't work, you can enable this feature by updating your graphics card drivers. Be sure to download the drivers directly from the manufacturer and not through Windows Update.

If none of the methods fit

The screen rotation function does not work for everyone, it depends on the equipment manufacturer. Most computers have this enabled, but your computer may not support screen rotation. Laptops are the most common victims of loss of screen rotation.

Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences. You can only rotate external displays, and the display must support rotation (not all). If you're using earlier versions of OS X, you can try to make the built-in display rotate, but this doesn't work on newer versions.

If there was a force majeure and for some reason the screen turned upside down or you need to turn it over for ease of use, then you should know how to flip screen on computer.

The methods depend on which operating system and driver you have. Let's take a look at the most fast way are hotkeys.

How to flip the screen on a computer? Using hotkeys

Just need to press at the same time CTRL+ALT+arrows(right or left, see if necessary) - and already use them to rotate as many degrees as you need. This method is also suitable for laptops with an operating system installed. Windows system 8, Windows 10.

I think your issue has already been resolved and if it's not difficult to leave a comment at the bottom of the article, I will be grateful to you.

There is such a way - rotate the screen through the control panel

Actually, you need to go to "", select "All Control Panel Items" - "Screen" - "Adjust Screen Resolution".

And in these settings, select the position that you want. Also in this window, you can adjust the screen rotation for each of the available monitors, if there are two or more. It looks like this:


There is also a simplified version of the rotation: press the right mouse button, hovering over an empty space on the screen and select "Screen Resolution" in the pop-up menu, and then simply select the desired screen orientation.

How to flip the screen on a computer through the driver program

In the proposed options, the commands of the Russified interface of all programs are given. In any case, if you are unable to flip the screen through the driver, you can do as shown above. There will be no difference in the result.


  • ATI (manual without screenshots) - in the driver menu, select "General display tasks" - "Rotate desktop". The program will offer rotation options in the form of arrows or in the form of a screen image in a changed position.

Screen Rotation with Intel Graphics

For this graphics adapter the keyboard shortcut also works: Ctrl + Alt + arrows. Or, right-click anywhere on the desktop, then - "Graphic characteristics".

Or next to the button to minimize the screen to the tray, click the Intel icon, then you need to select "Graphics". In the main mode menu, select "Basic settings" - "Rotation" - "Rotate to normal view". And everything is ready.


There is an easier way: after pressing Intel, just select "Graphics Options" - "Rotate".


on Mac OS X

For OS X older versions, it works like this: in the “Display” control panel menu, in the list of connected displays, select external, and in the menu that appears, select “Rotation” and from the proposed one click on the desired position: 90 0 , 180 0 , 270 0 .

Then you need to disable the "Screen Mirroring" function (if necessary). This is done simply - at the bottom, on the left, you need to check the box next to this function and that's it, then - Apply.


For MacBook or iMac OS X 10.9 and earlier, close System Preferences while holding open menu"Display" and turn it there.

The order of the coup is as follows: Apple menu - "System Preferences" - simultaneously press the keys ⌘ Cmd + ⌥ Opt and "Display". In the proposed menu, select the position of the screen.

Carefully! For OS X 10.10, this method is not suitable, and serious failures can occur when using it.

Outcome

We looked at the main ways to flip the screen on a computer with the most common software applications and systems. As you can see, the principle is the same almost everywhere, but these settings are hidden in different places in different systems.

P.S. If you have something to add or say, be sure to write in the comments, with respect, Vladislav Nikitin.

Right-click on the desktop and select "Screen Resolution" or "Display Settings" (depending on the version of Windows installed on your computer).

  • If you are using Windows XP, then this will not work. Go to step 5 of this section.
  • In the window that opens (in its lower part), find the "Orientation" menu. By default, Landscape is selected in the menu. Most video cards allow you to rotate the screen using this menu.

    • If this menu is grayed out, you have a problem with your video card drivers, or your computer manufacturer has disabled screen rotation. In this case, go to step 4.
  • Open the menu and select the desired orientation.

    • "Album". This is the default orientation.
    • "Portrait". Rotate the screen 90° to the right. This moves the right edge of the image to the bottom of the monitor.
    • "Landscape (inverted)". Flips the screen upside down. This moves the top of the image to the bottom of the monitor.
    • "Portrait (inverted)". Rotate the screen 90° to the left. This moves the left edge of the image to the bottom of the monitor.
  • Keyboard shortcuts. Some graphics cards support keyboard shortcuts for screen rotation. The following keyboard shortcuts work with integrated Intel graphics cards. If you have discrete NVIDIA graphics card or AMD, these keyboard shortcuts will most likely not work.

    • Ctrl+Alt+ - turn the screen upside down.
    • Ctrl+Alt+ - rotate the screen 90° to the right.
    • Ctrl+Alt+ - rotate the screen 90° to the left.
    • Ctrl + Alt + - return the screen orientation to the default (landscape).
  • Check your video card settings. NVIDIA, AMD and Intel allow you to change the settings of their video cards through special utilities. These utilities can be accessed through the menu that opens when you right-click on the desktop, or through the Start menu, or through the Windows Control Panel.

    • Look for the "Rotate" or "Orientation" option. In the NVIDIA utility, find the "Rotate screen" option (in the menu on the left). In the AMD utility (called the Catalyst Control Center), under Desktop Settings, find the Rotate menu. In the Intel Utility, in the Monitor Settings menu, find the Rotation section.
  • Create a keyboard shortcut for screen rotation. If you are using AMD graphics card or ATI, the Catalyst Control Center utility will allow you to create a keyboard shortcut for rotation.

    • Right click on the desktop and select Catalyst Control Center.
    • Click "Settings" and select "Hotkeys".
    • Select "Desktop Management" from the drop-down menu and set the keyboard shortcut you want to use for various options turn. It makes sense to choose the combinations given in step 4, since they are not usually used for any other functions.
    • Don't forget to check the box for the specified keyboard shortcut to take effect.
  • Update your drivers if there are no other options. If the keyboard shortcuts don't work and there are no screen rotation options in the graphics card setup utilities, update your graphics card drivers. Download the most latest drivers from the graphics card manufacturer's server, not through Windows Update.

    • Utilities for AMD and NVIDIA cards automatically detect and download the latest drivers. Or you can find latest versions drivers on the website of the manufacturer of your video card.
    • If you don't know your graphics card model, click ⊞Win+R and type dxdiag . Click the "Monitor" tab to find out the model and manufacturer of your graphics card.


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