Rotate your Mac screen using System Settings or display preferences
Most Mac displays cannot physically rotate, but you can flip what appears on screen using your Mac's built-in display settings. The method depends on your Mac model and macOS version. On newer Macs running macOS Monterey or later, you rotate the display through System Settings. On older Macs, the option lives in System Preferences under Displays. The rotation happens in software—your monitor stays in place, but everything on it turns 90, 180, or 270 degrees.
Before you start, know that rotating your display is most useful when you have an external monitor you can physically turn sideways (called portrait mode). Built-in MacBook screens are not meant to rotate and doing so can make them harder to use. External displays work better because you can adjust them to match the rotated image.
Key Takeaways
- On macOS Monterey and newer, open System Settings, go to Displays, and look for a rotation dropdown menu if your monitor supports it.
- On older macOS versions, open System Preferences, click Displays, and find the rotation option in the Display Settings tab.
- Not all external monitors support software rotation—check your monitor's manual or manufacturer website to confirm.
- Rotating your built-in MacBook display is possible but usually makes the screen harder to read and use.
- If rotation options do not appear, your monitor may not support it, or you may need to update your graphics drivers.
Rotate your display on macOS Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click Displays in the sidebar. If you have an external monitor connected, you may see a dropdown menu labeled Rotation or Orientation. Click it and choose your rotation angle: Standard (0 degrees), 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. The change takes effect when ready.
If you do not see a rotation option, your monitor may not support software rotation. Some external displays have this feature built in, but many do not. Check your monitor's manual or visit the manufacturer's website to see whether rotation is supported. You can also try updating your graphics drivers by checking for macOS updates in System Settings under General > Software Update.
Rotate your display on older macOS versions (Big Sur and earlier)
Open System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Preferences. Click Displays. In the Display Settings tab, look for a Rotation dropdown menu. Select your desired rotation angle. If the Rotation option does not appear, your monitor does not support this feature in your macOS version.
On very old Macs, you may need to use a third-party utility to rotate your display if the built-in option is not available. However, most modern external monitors and Macs support rotation natively, so this is rarely necessary. Third-party tools can sometimes add rotation support to monitors that do not have it built in, but they require installation and may not work reliably with every monitor model.
When to physically turn your monitor instead of rotating the display
If your external monitor has a stand that allows it to pivot, you can often turn the monitor 90 degrees into portrait mode without using software rotation. This is usually better than software rotation because the monitor's native resolution works better in portrait orientation. Check whether your monitor's stand supports pivoting by looking at the base or reading the manual.
If your monitor does support pivoting, turn it physically first, then check System Settings to see if macOS detects the new orientation automatically. Many modern monitors send this information to your Mac, and the display will rotate without you having to change settings manually. Physical rotation also means you can adjust the monitor's height and angle to match your viewing position, which is harder to do with software rotation alone.
Undo a display rotation
To return your display to normal, open System Settings or System Preferences, go to Displays, and set the Rotation dropdown back to Standard. The change happens when ready. If you rotated your monitor physically, straightforward turn it back to landscape orientation.
If you have multiple monitors and only some are rotated, you can change each one individually without affecting the others. Your Mac remembers the rotation setting for each display separately, so you can rotate one monitor back to standard while leaving others in their rotated state.
Troubleshooting: rotation option does not appear
If you cannot find a rotation option in your display settings, the most common reasons are that your monitor does not support software rotation, or your graphics drivers need updating. Start by checking your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm rotation is a supported feature.
Next, update macOS by opening System Settings, clicking General, and selecting Software Update. Wait for any updates to finish and restart your Mac if prompted. After restarting, return to Displays and check whether the rotation option now appears. If it still does not, your monitor likely does not support this feature, and you will need to use physical rotation if the stand allows it.
Rotating your MacBook's built-in display
You can rotate a MacBook's built-in screen using the same System Settings or System Preferences method, but this is not recommended for daily use. The MacBook screen is designed to be viewed in landscape, and rotating it makes text and images harder to read at normal viewing distances. The screen also becomes taller and narrower, which wastes space for most tasks.
If you need a portrait-oriented display for specific work like reading documents or coding, connect an external monitor instead. External monitors are easier to position at the right angle and distance for portrait use, and you can keep your MacBook in its normal landscape orientation for other tasks. This setup gives you the best of both worlds without straining your eyes or neck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rotate my MacBook screen permanently?
Yes, you can set a rotation in System Settings and it will stay that way until you change it again. However, rotating your built-in MacBook screen is not recommended because it makes everyday tasks harder. If you need portrait orientation regularly, use an external monitor instead.
Why does my external monitor not have a rotation option?
Not all external monitors support software rotation. Check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm the feature exists. If it does, make sure you are running the latest macOS version and that your graphics drivers are current. If rotation is not listed as a supported feature, your monitor cannot rotate.
Will rotating my display damage my monitor?
No, software rotation does not damage your monitor. The image on screen straightforward flips—the hardware itself is not affected. If you physically rotate your monitor, make sure the stand supports pivoting to avoid straining the cables or hinges.
Can I rotate only one monitor if I have multiple displays?
Yes. Open System Settings, go to Displays, and select each monitor individually. Set the rotation for each one separately. Your Mac treats each display independently, so you can rotate one while keeping others in standard orientation.
What if I rotate my display and everything looks blurry?
Blurriness after rotation usually means your monitor's resolution does not scale well in that orientation. Try adjusting the resolution in System Settings under Displays, or return to standard rotation. If the problem persists, your monitor may not be designed for the rotated orientation you chose.