How to get Facebook in landscape on iPhone: A simple guide to enjoy Facebook in landscape mode on your iPhone

Using Facebook in landscape mode on your iPhone offers a broader and often more immersive view, especially for videos, photos, and message threads. To access Facebook in landscape orientation, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Check Screen Orientation Lock: Swipe down from the top right of your iPhone to open the Control Center. Make sure that the rotation lock (icon with a padlock and circular arrow) is OFF.
2. Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app from your Home screen.
3. Rotate Your Device: Simply turn your iPhone sideways. Facebook will display certain content, like full-screen videos or photos, in landscape mode. However, most of the Facebook app interface remains optimized for portrait orientation. For features such as Messenger video calls or watching Facebook Watch, landscape usually works seamlessly.
4. Use Facebook Via Browser (Optional): If you need full landscape browsing, open Facebook in Safari or another browser, then rotate your phone. Some users find landscape browsing more flexible this way, especially when multitasking or using Split View on larger screens.

Despite these tips, keep in mind that the Facebook app itself restricts its core feeds to portrait on iOS. Designers often must work within these system and app limitations. As an interior designer, I often see parallels in digital and physical space planning: just as a room may work best with certain layouts, app developers craft user flows around optimal device orientations. If you crave the flexibility to truly visualize layouts from all angles—like viewing floor plan designs in 3D and 2D—it’s crucial the software adapts to your device orientation smoothly. For instance, when I’m planning spatial arrangements using a room planner, landscape mode offers a wider canvas to work more efficiently, making it a practical feature to look for in any app focused on design or visualization.

Tips 1:

If you continue experiencing problems, restart your iPhone and reinstall the Facebook app. Occasionally, app updates restore landscape functionality for certain features—keeping your app updated may unlock new views or layouts. Also, consider submitting feedback to Facebook if landscape usability is important to your workflow.

FAQ

Q: Why won’t my Facebook app rotate to landscape on iPhone?

A: Most of Facebook’s main feed and features are locked to portrait orientation on iOS, but media content like videos often supports landscape. Make sure rotation lock is off.

Q: Does Facebook Messenger allow landscape mode?

A: Yes, for video calls or watching shared videos, Messenger usually supports landscape mode.

Q: Can I use landscape mode when browsing Facebook on Safari?

A: Yes, using Safari or another browser allows you to view the Facebook website in landscape, offering more layout flexibility than the app in some cases.

Q: Is there a way to force Facebook into landscape for feeds?

A: Currently, there’s no official way to force the Facebook app’s feed into landscape orientation on iPhone.

Q: What other apps are optimized for landscape viewing?

A: Apps that focus on design—like room planners and floor plan tools—are often best experienced in landscape mode, maximizing space for interactive layouts.