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Upside down is probably the wrong phrase here, but whenever I start an app that uses landscape (e.g. a game) or watch a video, the first orientation is starts at is with the phone rotated left. In other words, with the volume controls on the bottom.

However, it seems more logical to me that landscape mode is better the other way up. One reason is that the +/- volume is on the right/left respectively (volume increases to the right in the display) and is easier to access with a finger than thumb on the bottom. Furthermore, since the volume button is used to operate the shutter on the camera, it should be that way up when taking photos.

Is there a reason that apps (Apple-provided and third party) have the default orientation the other way?

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  • Cool discovery :) – Michiel Mar 30 '12 at 14:02
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I was going to chalk it up to the developer just being lazy and selecting the default value and tab-completing when creating their app. However, I tried it out for myself (create a new iOS app project, edit the $AppName-Info.plist file and add the following new row):

enter image description here

You can see that the first auto complete option for Landscape mode is (left home button), meaning the developer had to consciously choose the second option for it to be right sided as in your app. This supports stuffe's conjecture that this is done because most users are right handed.

The screenshot above are the options for iPad. The iPhone has the same set, except for the second one, which is absent.

AFAIK, Apple doesn't advocate the use of a specific orientation as a default. Their iOS Human Interface Guidelines only say the following re: orientation

  • Launch your app in your supported orientation, regardless of the current device orientation. For example, if your game or media-viewing application runs in landscape only, it’s appropriate to launch your app in landscape, even if the device is currently in portrait. This way, if people start your application in portrait, they know to rotate the device to landscape to view the content.

  • Support both variants of an orientation. For example, if your application runs only in landscape, people should be able to use it whether they’re holding the device with the Home button on the right or on the left. And, if people rotate the device 180 degrees while using your application, it’s best if you can respond by rotating your content 180 degrees.

On iPad, strive to satisfy users’ expectations by being able to run in all orientations. The large iPad screen mitigates people’s desire to rotate the device to landscape to “see more.” And, because people don’t pay much attention to the minimal frame of the device or the location of the Home button, they don’t view the device as having a default orientation. This lack of awareness of an app’s default orientation leads people to expect apps to run well in the device orientation they’re currently using. As much as possible, your application should encourage people to interact with iPad from any side by providing a great experience in all orientations.

So as you can see, they don't advocate for any particular orientation and encourage the developer to support all orientations. Also see this.

However, this technical documentation uses an example with code for right-oriented apps (i.e., home button on the right). So another explanation – apart from the developer's own UX inclinations – is a copy-paste effect :)

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  • Interesting find. Do you know if there is an Apple guideline for this? (I believe they have some developer/designer best practices.) – DisgruntledGoat Apr 1 '12 at 1:28
  • @DisgruntledGoat While they do have very detailed best practices design wise, I don't think they advocate any particular orientation. Please see my edit – rm -rf Apr 1 '12 at 2:07
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This can only be answered with conjecture really, but I would say that as most people are right handed, and therefore hold their phone in their right hand, then it is simply far easier to rotate 90 degrees the the left into Landscape (and indeed back again) that to do it the other way around without resorting to using both hands, which may be difficult if you were one handed, watching porn, or hanging off a cliff.

This is because the effective pivot point (bottom left as you hold it in portrait) is already near to the pivot clamp (your thumb) and does not require you to either take your hand off the phone, or slide the entire device through your hand and substantially alter your grip.

Try it.

Also, the home button remains accessible to your right thumb in this orientation.

I have created this instructional and educational video explaining the process, which you should really watch just to see my favourite Ape of Liberty T-Shirt.

enter image description here

Also, I could make up some crap about Feng Shuei, and the transperambulation of pseudo cosmic antimatter, but that would be taking it far too seriously.

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  • I tend to pivot the phone using my fingers. It requires less motion than rotating the wrist and is easier for me to rotate it clockwise -- I basically just move my index and ring finger clockwise while thumb and middle finger serve as the pivot. – Steven Lu Mar 30 '12 at 19:40
  • I need a diagram. I think your wrist may be broken ;) – stuffe Mar 30 '12 at 19:43
  • come on, just try it! – Steven Lu Mar 30 '12 at 19:45
  • I simply can't do it. You need extra opposable joints than that which I have available to me! – stuffe Mar 30 '12 at 19:52
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    I see your point, though if you were right handed and watching certain videos you might need your right hand free ;) – DisgruntledGoat Apr 1 '12 at 1:30

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