Are you tired of watching videos on your iPhone in a tiny window, instead of enjoying them in all their fullscreen glory? You’re not alone! Many iPhone users have encountered this frustrating issue, where videos simply refuse to go fullscreen. In this article, we’ll dive into the possible reasons behind this problem and provide you with practical solutions to get your videos back to their full, glorious screen size.
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Fullscreen Button
When you’re watching a video on your iPhone, you typically expect to see a fullscreen button that allows you to expand the video to fill the entire screen. However, sometimes this button is nowhere to be found. You might be wondering, “Why won’t my videos go fullscreen on my iPhone?” This issue can occur on various video streaming apps, including YouTube, Netflix, and even the native iPhone Videos app.
The Usual Suspects: Common Causes of the Fullscreen Issue
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s explore some common reasons why your videos might not be going fullscreen:
1. Orientation Lock
One of the most common culprits behind the missing fullscreen button is the Orientation Lock feature on your iPhone. When this feature is enabled, it can restrict the video from expanding to fullscreen mode. To check if Orientation Lock is the culprit, simply tap the screen while watching a video, and then tap the Orientation Lock icon in the top-right corner of the screen to toggle it off.
2. Video App Restrictions
Some video streaming apps might have restrictions in place that prevent videos from going fullscreen. For instance, some apps might only allow fullscreen mode on certain devices or platforms. Check the app’s settings or documentation to see if there are any fullscreen mode restrictions in place.
Software Glitches and Bugs
Software glitches and bugs can also cause issues with video playback, including the inability to go fullscreen. If you’re experiencing this problem on multiple video streaming apps, it’s possible that the issue lies with your iPhone’s operating system rather than the individual apps.
Troubleshooting Steps to Get Your Videos Back in Fullscreen
Now that we’ve explored some of the common causes behind the fullscreen issue, let’s walk through some troubleshooting steps to help you get your videos back to their full, glorious screen size:
Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, a simple restart can work wonders. Restarting your iPhone can help resolve software glitches and bugs that might be causing the fullscreen issue. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears, then slide it to the right to turn off your iPhone. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.
Check for App Updates
Outdated video streaming apps can cause compatibility issues, including problems with fullscreen mode. Check the App Store for any available updates for the video streaming apps you’re using, and install them accordingly. This can help resolve any software glitches that might be causing the issue.
Disable and Re-enable the Video App
Sometimes, simply disabling and re-enabling the video streaming app can resolve the issue. To do this, go to the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on the app’s name, and toggle off the switch next to “Allow” or “Enable”. Wait for a few seconds, then toggle the switch back on.
Reset All Settings
If the above steps don’t work, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will reset all settings to their default values, which can sometimes resolve software glitches and bugs. To reset all settings, go to the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on “General”, followed by “Reset”, and finally “Reset All Settings”. Note that this will log you out of all apps and reset all customized settings.
iPhone Settings to Check for Fullscreen Mode
In addition to troubleshooting steps, there are a few iPhone settings you should check to ensure that fullscreen mode is enabled:
Screen Orientation
Make sure that the Screen Orientation setting is set to “Landscape” or “Portrait” mode, depending on your preference. To access this setting, go to the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on “General”, followed by “Accessibility”, and finally “Screen Orientation”.
Display & Brightness
Ensure that the Display & Brightness setting is set to “Standard” mode. To access this setting, go to the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on “Display & Brightness”. If you’re using an iPhone X or later, make sure that the “Notch” setting is set to “On”.
Zoom and Accessibility Features
Some accessibility features, such as Zoom or Display Accommodations, can affect video playback and prevent fullscreen mode. Check the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on “General”, followed by “Accessibility”, and review the following settings:
- Zoom: Ensure that Zoom is set to “Off” or adjust the zoom level to a lower setting.
- Display Accommodations: Ensure that Invert Colors, Color Filters, or other display accommodations are not interfering with video playback.
Video App Settings to Check for Fullscreen Mode
In addition to iPhone settings, there are also video app settings you should check to ensure that fullscreen mode is enabled:
Video App Settings
Check the video app’s settings to ensure that fullscreen mode is enabled. For example, in the YouTube app, go to the app’s Settings, then tap on “Video”, and ensure that “Fullscreen” is set to “On”.
Video Quality and Playback Settings
Check the video app’s playback settings to ensure that the video quality is set to a compatible setting. For example, if you’re using a cellular network, try reducing the video quality to conserve data.
When All Else Fails: Resetting Your iPhone and Reinstalling Video Apps
If all the above troubleshooting steps and settings checks don’t resolve the issue, you might need to take more drastic measures:
Reset Your iPhone
If all else fails, you can try resetting your iPhone to its factory settings. This will erase all data on your iPhone, so make sure to back up your data before doing so. To reset your iPhone, go to the iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on “General”, followed by “Reset”, and finally “Erase All Content and Settings”.
Reinstall Video Apps
After resetting your iPhone, reinstall the video streaming apps you were using. This can help resolve any software glitches or bugs that might have been causing the fullscreen issue.
Conclusion
Getting videos to go fullscreen on your iPhone can be a frustrating experience, but by following the troubleshooting steps and settings checks outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue. Remember to check for app updates, disable and re-enable video apps, and review iPhone and video app settings to ensure that fullscreen mode is enabled. If all else fails, resetting your iPhone and reinstalling video apps can help resolve the issue. With a little patience and persistence, you’ll be enjoying your favorite videos in fullscreen mode in no time!
Why won’t my iPhone videos go fullscreen?
iPhone videos may not go fullscreen due to a variety of reasons. One reason could be that the video is not optimized for fullscreen mode. Some videos may be shot or edited in a way that makes them incompatible with fullscreen mode on an iPhone. Another reason could be that there is an issue with the video player or app you are using to play the video.
Try checking if the video is compatible with fullscreen mode by trying to play it on a different device or using a different video player app. If the issue persists, it’s possible that there is a problem with your iPhone’s settings or video playback capabilities.
How do I enable fullscreen mode on my iPhone?
To enable fullscreen mode on your iPhone, you can try tapping on the fullscreen icon on the bottom right corner of the video player. This icon looks like two arrows pointing outward. If you don’t see this icon, you can try tapping on the video player to bring up the video controls, and then tap on the fullscreen button.
If the fullscreen icon is not available, you can try rotating your iPhone to landscape mode. This will usually trigger the video to go fullscreen automatically. You can also try closing other apps or restarting your iPhone to see if that resolves the issue.
Why do some videos have black bars on the sides?
Some videos may have black bars on the sides because they are not optimized for the iPhone’s screen resolution. This is especially true for videos that were shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is different from the iPhone’s 16:9 aspect ratio. The black bars are added to maintain the original aspect ratio of the video.
You can try adjusting the video player settings to zoom in on the video, which may remove the black bars. However, this may also crop out some of the video content. You can also try searching for a different version of the video that is optimized for the iPhone’s screen resolution.
Can I force a video to go fullscreen?
You can try forcing a video to go fullscreen by tapping on the video player to bring up the video controls, and then tapping on the “Zoom” button. This will zoom in on the video and remove the black bars, effectively making it go fullscreen. However, this may also crop out some of the video content.
Keep in mind that forcing a video to go fullscreen may not always work, especially if the video is not optimized for the iPhone’s screen resolution. You may end up with a distorted or cropped video. It’s best to try other troubleshooting steps before resorting to forcing the video to go fullscreen.
Why do some apps not support fullscreen mode?
Some apps may not support fullscreen mode due to limitations or restrictions imposed by the app developers. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as compatibility issues or copyright restrictions. Additionally, some apps may be optimized for specific screen resolutions or aspect ratios, which may not be compatible with the iPhone’s screen.
You can try checking the app’s settings or support pages to see if they offer any guidance on how to enable fullscreen mode. You can also try contacting the app developers or searching for alternative apps that support fullscreen mode.
How do I report a video that won’t go fullscreen?
If you encounter a video that won’t go fullscreen, you can try reporting the issue to the video content provider or the app developer. You can usually find a “Report” or “Feedback” button on the video player or app.
Be sure to provide as much detail as possible when reporting the issue, such as the type of iPhone you’re using, the video player or app you’re using, and the specific error message or behavior you’re experiencing. This will help the content provider or app developer to troubleshoot and resolve the issue more quickly.
Will updating my iPhone fix the issue?
Updating your iPhone may help to resolve issues with video playback, including problems with fullscreen mode. Apple regularly releases updates to improve video playback and fix bugs.
However, updating your iPhone may not necessarily fix the issue if it’s specific to a particular video or app. In that case, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps or contact the app developer or video content provider for assistance.