Telegram

ALWAYS ROTATING BUG SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7

Always Rotating Bug (Samsung Galaxy Tab S7)

We understand the frustration associated with the always rotating bug on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, particularly after installing Lineage OS 23. This issue, where the screen orientation constantly shifts despite specific game or app restrictions, is a common hurdle for users transitioning from stock Samsung firmware to custom ROMs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a powerhouse device, featuring a high-refresh-rate display and a robust Snapdragon 865+ processor, making it an ideal candidate for custom ROMs. However, the sensitivity of the gyroscope and accelerometer sensors, combined with how Lineage OS handles orientation requests, can lead to this persistent annoyance.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the root causes of this orientation bug and provide detailed, step-by-step solutions to stabilize your screen rotation. We will explore software-based fixes within the operating system, the role of Magisk modules, and potential kernel adjustments. Our goal is to ensure you can enjoy your gaming experience without the screen flipping unexpectedly.

Understanding the Root Cause of the Orientation Bug

To effectively fix the always rotating bug, we must first understand why it occurs on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 running Lineage OS 23. Unlike the stock One UI software, which is heavily customized by Samsung to handle specific device quirks, Lineage OS relies on a more generic Android framework for sensor management.

Sensor Sensitivity and ROM Integration

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 utilizes a sophisticated Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope. In stock firmware, Samsung applies proprietary calibration values that filter out minor movements, preventing unwanted rotation. When Lineage OS is installed, it often uses the default AOSP (Android Open Source Project) drivers. These drivers may be more sensitive to subtle tilts, causing the system to misinterpret the user’s intended orientation. This is particularly evident in portrait-only or landscape-only games, where the app explicitly requests a fixed orientation, but the system sensor data overrides or conflicts with that request.

The Lineage OS 23 Factor

Lineage OS 23, based on Android 14, introduces new privacy features and background process management. Occasionally, the Settings.Global values for accelerometer_rotation and user_rotation may not persist correctly across reboots or app launches. Furthermore, if the ROM was installed without a complete wipe of the Dalvik/ART cache or if there are remnants of the stock Samsung firmware in the vendor partition, the orientation logic can become corrupted. The bug described by users—where a landscape game rotates to portrait—is a classic symptom of the system ignoring the screenOrientation lock defined in the app’s manifest.

Preliminary Checks and Native Settings Adjustments

Before diving into advanced solutions involving Magisk or kernel modifications, we should verify the native settings on your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. Sometimes, the issue is simply a UI glitch or a setting buried deep within the developer options.

Verifying Auto-Rotate Settings

Navigate to Settings > System > Languages & input > Accessibility (or Display depending on the specific Lineage OS build). Ensure that Auto-rotate screen is actually enabled. It sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes toggling this setting off and on again can reset the sensor service. Also, check the Quick Settings tile for rotation. If the tile is highlighted, auto-rotate is active. Tap it to disable, then wait a few seconds and re-enable it. This forces a restart of the SensorService process running in the background.

Checking Developer Options

If the standard settings fail to resolve the issue, we need to look at the Developer Options. To enable this, go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times. Once enabled:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Developer options.
  2. Scroll down to the Drawing section.
  3. Look for Simulate display with cutout. While this seems unrelated, changing this setting (e.g., setting it to “Tall” or a specific cutout emulation) can sometimes force the display surface to re-render, fixing orientation lock issues in legacy apps.
  4. Additionally, search for “Force activities to be resizable” in Developer Options. Enabling this ensures that even if a game is marked as portrait-only in the Play Store, the OS treats it as multi-window compatible, which can stabilize the orientation logic on the large Tab S7 screen.

Application-Specific Permissions

Some games require specific permissions to lock orientation. On Lineage OS 23, go to Settings > Apps > [Your Game Name] > Permissions. Ensure that the app has permission to control the display. While Android restricts direct screen control, background restrictions can prevent the app from maintaining its requested orientation. Turn off Battery optimization for the specific game to ensure it has full priority over system resources.

Advanced Solution: Utilizing Magisk Modules

For users comfortable with rooting, the most effective way to permanently fix the always rotating bug on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is by using Magisk. We provide a repository of modules specifically designed to tweak system behavior, including sensor sensitivity and orientation overrides. Since you are running Lineage OS, your device is likely already rooted with Magisk.

We host several modules on the Magisk Module Repository that can address this issue. Here are the specific modules we recommend installing via the Magisk app:

  1. Sensor Disabler (or Sensor Controller): This module allows you to selectively disable specific sensors. While the gyroscope is essential for many games, you can sometimes disable the accelerometer temporarily to force a fixed orientation, or adjust the sampling rate to reduce sensitivity. By lowering the sensor reporting rate, the system becomes less jittery, preventing the rapid switching between portrait and landscape.
  2. FOD (Fingerprint on Display) and Key Disabler: While primarily for removing FOD icons, some variations of these modules include patches for sensor overlays that conflict with Samsung’s hardware on Lineage OS.
  3. Custom Key Disabler: If the rotation bug is triggered by specific hardware keys (like the volume rocker interfering with sensor calibration), this module can disable those keys to prevent accidental overrides.

Installation Steps:

  1. Open the Magisk App on your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.
  2. Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) and select Modules.
  3. Search for Sensor or Orientation modules. If you cannot find a specific one in the in-app repository, you can download them from our external repository and install via “Install from storage.”
  4. Reboot your device after installation.

Note: Always back up your data before installing Magisk modules, as conflicting modules can cause boot loops.

Creating a Custom Overlay with Magisk

If pre-built modules do not suffice, we can create a simple Magisk module to patch the framework-res.apk values. This involves modifying the config_autoRotateTimeout and config_orientationSensorDelay values in the config.xml file.

Kernel-Level Tweaks for Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset. The kernel plays a massive role in how hardware inputs are processed. If software fixes fail, kernel adjustments might be necessary.

Interactive Governors and CPU Tuning

Using a kernel manager app (like FK Kernel Manager or EX Kernel Manager), you can adjust the CPU governor. The Interactive governor is standard, but for gaming stability:

  1. Set the Governor to Sched or Blu_Sched (if available for the Tab S7).
  2. Adjust the Input Boost settings. Sometimes, sensor interrupts are being deprioritized, causing delayed orientation changes. Boosting the msm_performance CPU cluster can ensure sensor data is processed instantly, reducing the “stuck” feeling of the rotation bug.

Interrupt Balancing

The sensor hub in the Snapdragon 865+ handles raw data before passing it to the OS. If the kernel is not properly balancing interrupts, the data stream can be choppy. Look for IRQ Balance settings in your kernel manager. Ensure that the wlan and sensor IRQs are not sharing the same core if possible, although this is automatically managed in most custom kernels.

Troubleshooting Lineage OS Specifics

Since the issue arose after installing Lineage OS 23, it is vital to ensure the ROM installation was flawless. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has specific partition layouts (system, vendor, product, odm) that must be formatted correctly.

The Importance of Vendor Partition

If remnants of the stock Samsung vendor partition remain, they may conflict with the Lineage OS sensor blobs. The vendor partition contains hardware-specific drivers. We recommend re-flashing the ROM and performing a Format Data (not just wiping data) to ensure a clean slate.

  1. Boot into TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) or your custom recovery.
  2. Go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe.
  3. Select Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache, System, and Data.
  4. Swipe to Wipe.
  5. Re-install Lineage OS 23 and GApps.
  6. Flash Magisk immediately after.

This clean install often resolves underlying conflicts that cause the always rotating bug.

Lineage OS Gestures vs. Samsung Hardware

The Tab S7 has a dedicated Bixby button and specific gesture areas. Lineage OS maps these differently. If the device thinks a specific gesture is being performed (which might involve tilting the device), it could trigger a rotation event. Go to Settings > System > Gestures and disable any “Flip to Shush” or “Lift to Check Phone” features. These gestures rely on the accelerometer and can interfere with game orientation locks.

Scripting a Fix with Tasker (Workaround)

If Magisk modules are too risky or you prefer a software-only solution, Tasker is a powerful automation tool that can force orientation locks based on the app currently in the foreground.

Setting up the Tasker Profile

  1. Install Tasker from the Play Store.
  2. Create a new Profile and select Application.
  3. Select the specific games that are misbehaving (e.g., “Landscape Only Game”).
  4. Create a new Task. Name it “Lock Landscape”.
  5. Add an action: Code > Run Shell.
  6. Enter the command: settings put system user_rotation 1 (1 usually corresponds to 90 degrees/Landscape). To lock Portrait, use 0.
  7. Add an Exit Task to revert to auto-rotate: settings put system accelerometer_rotation 1.

This method forces the system to apply a specific rotation value only when the game is open. It is a temporary fix but highly effective if you do not want to modify the system partition deeply.

Hardware Diagnostics

While the issue is likely software-related (given the timing with the Lineage OS installation), we should not rule out hardware failure. The sensors on the Tab S7 are durable, but physical drops or pressure on the screen can misalign them.

Testing the Sensors

To rule out hardware failure, use a diagnostic app like Sensor Test (available on F-Droid or Play Store).

  1. Open the app and check the Accelerometer and Gyroscope graphs.
  2. Lay the device flat on a table. The graphs should be steady with minimal noise.
  3. Rotate the device. The values should change smoothly without spikes or drops.
  4. If you see “Sensor not available” or erratic spikes even after rebooting into the stock ROM (if available), the hardware might be failing. However, if the sensors work fine in stock but glitch in Lineage OS, it is confirmed to be a driver/software issue.

Conclusion and Final Recommendations

The always rotating bug on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 running Lineage OS 23 is a solvable annoyance. We recommend a tiered approach to fixing it:

  1. Start with Native Settings: Toggle auto-rotate, check Developer Options, and disable battery optimization for games.
  2. Utilize Magisk: If rooted, install Sensor Disabler modules from our repository to fine-tune sensor sensitivity. This is often the most permanent solution.
  3. Kernel Tuning: For advanced users, adjusting the CPU governor and interrupt handling can stabilize the system.
  4. Clean Install: If all else fails, a clean re-install of Lineage OS 23 ensuring proper partition formatting is often the cure.

By following these steps, you can restore the intended functionality of your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, ensuring that your gaming sessions remain immersive and free from orientation distractions. We encourage users to visit the Magisk Module Repository for the latest modules compatible with Android 14 and the Snapdragon 865+ architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does my game rotate even when the screen lock is on?

This usually happens because the app’s requested orientation conflicts with the system’s sensor data. On custom ROMs like Lineage OS, the WindowManager may prioritize the accelerometer data over the app’s manifest flag, especially if the sensor polling rate is too high.

Is it safe to disable the accelerometer on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7?

Disabling the accelerometer entirely will prevent auto-rotation and some game motion controls. However, for games that rely on screen orientation only, this is a safe workaround using Magisk modules. You can always re-enable it later.

Will this issue persist if I update Lineage OS?

Yes, updating Lineage OS (via OTA or manual zip) usually overwrites system files, including any fixes you applied via Magisk or manual editing. You will likely need to re-install your Magisk modules or re-apply scripts after every major update. It is best to wait for the module developer to update their code for the new build.

Can this bug damage the hardware of the Tab S7?

No, the orientation bug is purely software-related. The constant spinning of the screen does not physically strain the sensors or the display panel. However, it can drain the battery slightly faster due to constant screen redraws and sensor activity.

Are there specific Magisk modules for Samsung Tab S7?

While there are few device-specific modules, generic modules for “Sensor Disabler” or “Secure SSR” (Samsung Specific Resources) often work well. We curate a list of compatible modules for the qcom (Qualcomm) platform in our repository, which covers the Snapdragon 865+ chipset in the Tab S7.

What if the screen rotation is laggy or slow?

If rotation is laggy, it is likely due to the CPU governor being set to powersave or conservative. Switch to performance or schedutil via a kernel manager. Also, clear the cache partition to ensure smooth UI transitions.

Does using a case affect the rotation?

Generally, no. However, if the case exerts pressure on the corners of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, it could theoretically affect the sensor’s calibration reading, though this is rare. Remove the case to test if the sensitivity changes.

Can I revert to Stock ROM if the fixes fail?

Yes, you can flash the stock Samsung firmware using Odin. Ensure you have the correct firmware for your specific model number (e.g., SM-T870 or SM-T875). This will revert all sensor drivers to their original factory state, resolving any software-induced issues.

You also may like 〣〣
Explore More
Redirecting in 20 seconds...