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Google Phone app rolls out ‘Keep portrait mode’ call setting on Android

After testing in December, Phone by Google has now rolled out a “Keep portrait mode on calls” setting to prevent automatic landscape rotation. 

The Google Phone app offers a landscape two-column interface when on calls. On the left, you get their Calling Card, contact name, and number, with controls on the other side. 

It’s a necessary large-screen experience, but quite annoying for those who don’t have system Auto-rotate disabled, especially if you’re walking around. 

After beta testing in December and January, Google has now rolled out “Keep portrait mode on calls” to address this in Phone Settings (in the navigation drawer) > Display options alongside theme and sort preferences. Notably, it’s enabled by default in response to “user feedback.”

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  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap Menu (3 bars) and then Settings and then Display options.
  3. Turn off Keep portrait mode.

We’re seeing “Keep portrait mode” more widely rolled out with version 206 of the Google Phone app, though there’s a server-side component. Force stop Phone by Google from App info if you’re not seeing this yet.  

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com