YouTube Shorts, much like TikTok videos, are primarily designed for vertical scrolling. However, YouTube has introduced an interesting feature allowing users to view these videos in landscape mode. This option may seem unconventional for vertical videos, but if you’re interested in exploring it, here’s how to get started.
Landscape YouTube Shorts: Who Can Benefit?
The newly added landscape mode for YouTube Shorts primarily caters to accessibility requirements. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities who may utilize wheelchairs or specialized mounting equipment that is fixed in landscape orientation. This feature provides a more comfortable viewing experience without the need for awkward head tilting or unnecessary body reorientation.
Aside from accessibility concerns, many users might prefer to watch videos in landscape mode simply for convenience. For instance, propping a phone horizontally can be easier without a stand, and those who use a keyboard case on their devices might naturally lean toward landscape for better usability.
How to Activate Landscape Mode for YouTube Shorts
This feature is available on select smartphones. As an example, I found it on my Pixel 8 running Android 16, but it wasn’t available on my iPhone 15. Therefore, it’s advisable to ensure your app is updated. You can check for updates by visiting the Google Play Store or App Store, searching for YouTube, and seeing if an Update button is present.
Once confirmed, open the YouTube app and tap the You icon located at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Next, click on the gear icon situated in the upper right corner.
Scroll down to the Video and audio preferences section and select Accessibility.(Note: This option was not visible on my iPhone.)
Finally, toggle on the switch for Rotate Shorts.
How to Watch YouTube Shorts in Landscape Mode
While you might think enabling the feature is sufficient, it is not quite that simple.
You will also need to ensure that the Screen Auto-Rotate feature is activated on your device. For Android, this can be done by swiping down from the top of your screen to access Quick Settings, then locating and tapping the Auto-rotate tile to enable it. Some users may already have this setting activated, but it is worth mentioning that it can be overly sensitive, leading to unintended screen rotations with minimal movement.
It is crucial to note that both features must be enabled for the landscape view of YouTube Shorts to work properly. If Auto-rotate is disabled, the landscape feature will not function. Conversely, enabling Auto-rotate without activating Rotate Shorts will also result in failure to access this feature.
Once both settings are enabled, navigate back to the YouTube app and tap the Shorts button at the bottom to open the short-form video feed.
Now, simply tilt your phone, and the currently playing Short will automatically adjust to landscape orientation. To continue enjoying more videos, swipe up or down as you normally would in vertical mode.
Enjoying Landscape Shorts on Tablets
In my view, tablets are particularly advantageous for watching Shorts in landscape mode due to their larger display. Interestingly, my Blackview tablet did not show the Accessibility option in YouTube; however, I found I could still view Shorts in landscape mode.
To do this, I simply rotated my tablet while a Short was playing. Remarkably, it adjusted successfully even with the auto-rotate feature switched off. If you encounter any difficulties or don’t see the feature, it’s worth trying the same method as it worked for me.
Additionally, consider learning how to leverage ChatGPT for creating engaging YouTube content.
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