This simple iOS feature would make the iPhone better

No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot get used to the iPhone’s lack of a home-screen specific orientation lock. The iOS “Portrait Orientation Lock” feature lets you completely lock your device orientation, so it doesn’t rotate at all when you hold it horizontally (as detailed in this Macworld.com article, which reminded me of this particular pet peeve).

However, once you enable the setting you have to manually turn it off if you want to use an app in landscape mode — unless that app works only in landscape. I have never once wanted or needed to use my iPhone’s home screen in landscape mode, but I use the browser and other apps while holding my device horizontally all the time.

All I want is a feature that lets me permanently lock my home screen in portrait mode but still use screen rotation within apps. Is that too much to ask, Apple? (Yeah, I know, slow day in Ye Olde Blogosphere. But come on, it’s annoying as hell, and it would probably be simple to add such a feature.) 

Apple has an online iPhone feedback tool that you can use to submit feature requests. The company won’t likely listen to little ol’ me alone, but together we can change the (iPhone) world. Maybe. If you’re so inclined, take a minute to drop Apple a note. And while you’re at it, tell the company you also want to increase the Apple Watch exercise goal.

AS