How to Rotate Display to Portrait Mode in macOS 13

Yes, you can rotate your display orientation to portrait mode in macOS 13 Ventura. This guide outlines the steps to change your external monitor’s orientation to vertical (90 degrees or 270 degrees) using the redesigned System Settings interface, as well as how to troubleshoot common issues if the rotation setting does not appear.

Steps to Rotate Your Display in macOS 13

  1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.
  2. Navigate to Displays: In the left sidebar, scroll down and click Displays.
  3. Select Your Monitor: If you have multiple displays connected, click the icon or name of the external monitor you want to adjust at the top of the window.
  4. Change Orientation: Locate the Rotation pop-up menu on the right. Click it and select your preferred orientation:
    • Standard: Default horizontal/landscape mode.
    • 90°: Rotates the screen into vertical/portrait mode.
    • 180°: Inverted landscape mode.
    • 270°: Rotates the screen into reverse vertical/portrait mode (useful depending on which side your monitor's stand or cables are positioned).
  5. Confirm the Change: A confirmation dialogue will appear with a 15-second countdown. Click Confirm to lock in the new orientation. If the orientation is inverted or unusable, wait 15 seconds without clicking anything, and the display will automatically revert to its previous setting.

What to Do If the Rotation Option Is Missing

If the "Rotation" dropdown menu is not visible in macOS 13, try the following solutions:

  • Use the Modifier Key Shortcut: Quit System Settings. Hold down the Option (⌥) and Command (⌘) keys on your keyboard simultaneously, then open System Settings > Displays. This forces macOS to reveal hidden and advanced display modes, including rotation, on certain hardware configurations.
  • Check Display and Cable Compatibility: Native rotation in macOS relies on the monitor reporting its capabilities correctly via EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). Using an HDMI-to-USB-C adapter instead of a direct DisplayPort or certified Thunderbolt cable can sometimes hide orientation settings.
  • Built-in MacBook Displays: macOS 13 disables rotation for built-in MacBook screens natively to prevent interface lockouts. The native rotation feature is strictly intended for external monitors that are physically mounted or rotated vertically.