Rotating your MacBook screen is not something most users need to do every day but it can be helpful in certain situations. Whether you are a designer working with vertical layouts testing display setups or using an external monitor in portrait mode knowing how to rotate the screen gives you more flexibility in how you use your Mac.
macOS supports screen rotation but it is not immediately obvious where to find the settings. This guide explains how to rotate your screen on a MacBook including external monitors and how to reset the orientation when needed.
Can You Rotate the MacBook’s Built-In Display?
For most MacBook models you cannot rotate the built-in Retina display by default. Apple limits this feature because flipping a laptop screen vertically does not usually make practical sense. However if you are using an external monitor you will be able to rotate that screen using built-in macOS settings.
If you are using a MacBook with an external display such as a monitor mounted in portrait orientation then rotation becomes an important feature and macOS provides the tools to manage it easily.
How to Rotate an External Monitor on MacBook
To rotate an external display connected to your MacBook follow these steps:
Open System Settings from the Apple menu then select Displays. Click on the external monitor shown in the display arrangement window. Look for the Rotation setting in the panel on the right. You can choose from standard angles such as 90 degrees 180 degrees or 270 degrees depending on how your monitor is positioned.
Once selected the screen will rotate to match the orientation. If the view becomes difficult to use wait a few seconds and it will return to its original setting unless confirmed. This is a helpful safety feature that prevents accidental misconfiguration.
Accessing Rotation for Older macOS Versions
If you are using an older version of macOS you may need to use a hidden trick to access the rotation setting.
Hold down the Option key and open System Preferences then click on Displays. This can sometimes reveal a Rotation drop-down menu for both internal and external screens although it may not appear for the MacBook’s built-in display. This option varies depending on macOS version and display type.
Resetting the Display Orientation
If you have rotated the screen and want to return it to the standard layout go back to the Displays section in System Settings. Click the affected screen and change the rotation back to Standard or 0 degrees. The display should immediately return to the normal horizontal view.
This process can be repeated any time you need to switch between portrait and landscape modes on an external screen.
When Is Screen Rotation Useful?
Screen rotation is especially useful in specific roles or workflows. Graphic designers and developers may use vertical monitors for better layout previews or code visibility. Writers and editors might benefit from seeing a full page of content in portrait mode. Some financial professionals use tall monitors for spreadsheet viewing and chart analysis.
In these cases rotating an external monitor adds valuable flexibility to your workspace setup.
Final Thoughts
Although you cannot rotate the built-in MacBook screen easily screen rotation is available for external displays through macOS settings. Whether for professional tasks or personal preference rotating your monitor lets you customise your workspace to suit your needs. The process is quick and reversible so you can adjust the orientation any time with confidence.