How to use Android 12’s new smart auto-rotate system

Google’s upcoming Android 12 update has plenty of eye-catching features, but don’t be fooled – sometimes it’s the smallest, less obvious things that deserve your attention the most.

This is certainly the case with the software’s new automatic rotation system. With Android 12, Google introduced a smarter way to control when your screen switches between its vertical and horizontal orientations. And while the enhancement doesn’t spend a lot of time in the spotlight, you better believe that it has the potential to make your life a whole lot easier.

In short, instead of relying solely on your phone’s accelerometer to determine which way you hold the device and then rotate your screen accordingly, Android 12 allows your device to use its front camera as a guide. This way, the software can detect the position of your striking face at any given time and ensure that the screen is still positioned to match.

The advantage is that you then avoid those uncomfortable situations where you are lying down – and therefore hold your phone at an angle – and the screen then switches to its landscape orientation when you are actually. looking at to him in his portrait mode. Since the system pays attention to your face position, it matches the screen to how you actually are. using the device, no matter how you hold it.

Activating the new option couldn’t be easier.

Four steps for a smarter automatic rotation

(Note that these steps are specific to Google’s Android 12 interface and how the new auto-rotate system is showcased on Pixel phones. At this point, it’s not entirely clear how other manufacturers devices will change the software interface or what specific features they will offer on their devices.)

• Swipe down twice from the top of your screen, then tap the gear-shaped settings icon in the lower-right corner of the Quick Settings panel.
• Press “View”.
• Scroll down until you see the line that says “auto-rotate screen.” Tap on it.
• Make sure the toggle next to “Use auto-rotate” is on, then turn on the toggle next to “Enable face detection”.

And that’s it: all you have to do is use your phone normally and watch how Android 12’s auto-rotate enhancement works like magic.