Quickly fix sideways photos on your Android phone by rotating photos in Google Photos on Android.

How to rotate photos in Google Photos on Android

Follow these detailed steps to easily correct the orientation of your images.

Method 1: Basic rotation steps

  • Open the Google Photos app, identified by the multicolored pinwheel icon labeled “Photos” in your app drawer or on the home screen.
  • Tap the image you want to rotate to open it in full size, revealing four icons along the bottom edge.
  • Tap the Edit icon, which is the second from the left and resembles adjustment sliders.
  • Tap the Rotate icon—a square with a curved arrow located above the top-right corner of the image preview:
    • Each tap rotates the image 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
    • Continue tapping until the image is oriented correctly.
    • If the image needs flipping (such as when text appears backwards), tap the Flip icon—a square divided down the middle with a solid line on one side and a dotted line on the other—located above the image preview.
  • TapSave in the top-right corner to apply the changes. To preserve the original, tap the three dots (⋮) and select Save as copy, then tapSave.

Method 2: Frequently asked questions

  • To change photo orientation on Android: Use the steps in Method 1 with Google Photos. If Google Photos is not installed, open the photo in your default editor, tap the pencil edit icon, then tap the rotate icon (a square with a curved arrow).
  • To flip an image in Google Photos: Follow the steps above but tap the Flip icon instead of the Rotate icon.
  • To flip the camera on Android: With the camera app open, swipe up on the screen to toggle between front and back cameras.
  • If photos are taken in the wrong orientation: Android cameras auto-detect portrait or landscape, but may fail if held flat. Use a third-party app like ProCam X or Manual Camera DSLR with an orientation lock feature.
  • To quickly enhance photos:Open the photo, tap the Edit icon, then select Enhance, Dynamic, or Boost. TapSave or Save as copy when satisfied.
Pro tip: Always opt to Save as copy for important photos to keep the original intact. For official guidance, visit Google’s support page on rotating photos.

Once your photos are rotated correctly, consider enhancing them further using Google Photos’ quick tools like Enhance or Boost for better colors and clarity. You can then share the fixed images directly from the app via messaging, email, or social media. Backing up your library to Google ensures your edited photos are safe across devices. Proper orientation makes viewing and printing much more enjoyable.