If you use an Android tablet, most likely you’ve developed a penchant for holding the tablet in one orientation mode or another. Personally, I prefer landscape mode, because I think it’s easier to handle. What often gets me though is the inevitability of the tablet to flip modes when I first pick it up. If that’s a problem that plagues your tablet use, I have the solution.

This fix is far easier than you might think — but most don’t even bother. You’ll be happy that you did, because you won’t have to wait for your tablet to respond when you flip it to your favorite viewing mode.

The big caveat? Some tablets (such as the Samsung Note tablet) do not offer this feature out of the box. If that’s the case, then you’ll need to install a third-party home screen launcher (like Nova Launcher) that allows you to force landscape mode.

However, if you happen to have a tablet like the LG G Pad 8.3, you can set your preferred mode from within the settings. Here’s how:

  1. Turn your device so that it’s in the mode you prefer
  2. Open the settings window
  3. Tap Display
  4. Tap Auto-rotate screen to disable (Figure A)

Figure A

A Verizon-branded LG G Pad 8.3 tablet ready for landscape mode.

Your tablet will now remain in the current mode. Should you ever want to change it, you’ll need to re-enable Auto-rotate screen to do so.

It may not seem like much, but setting your Android tablet to remain in your preferred display mode will save you plenty of frustration.

What’s your favorite tablet mode? Are tablets best used in landscape or portrait mode? Fess up… you know you have a favorite.

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Catch up on the latest tech innovations that are changing the world, including IoT, 5G, the latest about phones, security, smart cities, AI, robotics, and more. Delivered Tuesdays and Fridays