Google has quietly rolled out a small but meaningful change to its Phone app on Android, addressing a long-standing annoyance for users who take calls while on the move. After several weeks of limited testing, a new setting called “Keep portrait mode on calls” is now reaching a wider audience.
The update targets a familiar problem. When a phone is rotated during a call, the Google Phone app can automatically switch into a landscape layout. On larger screens, this brings up a two-column interface, showing the caller’s details on one side and call controls on the other. While the design makes sense for tablets or stationary use, it can be frustrating for people walking around, especially if system-wide auto-rotate is left on.
Google appears to have acknowledged that frustration. The new setting allows the app to stay locked in portrait orientation during calls, preventing sudden and often accidental shifts into landscape mode. According to the company, the option was enabled by default following feedback from users during earlier testing.
The feature was first spotted in beta versions of the Phone app in December and January. Now, it is rolling out more broadly through version 206 of the Google Phone app, though availability can still vary because part of the change is controlled server-side. Some users may see it immediately, while others might need to wait a bit longer.
For those who already have access, the option lives inside the app’s settings under Display options, alongside existing preferences like theme and call sorting. Although it is turned on by default, users can manually switch it off if they prefer the landscape layout during calls.
The rollout reflects a familiar pattern for Google’s core apps. Rather than making dramatic interface changes, the company often focuses on small adjustments that remove friction from everyday use. In this case, the goal seems simple: let people take calls without worrying about their screen constantly rotating at the wrong moment.
As the update continues to spread, most users may not even notice the new toggle unless they go looking for it. But for anyone who has struggled with unwanted screen rotation mid-call, the change is likely to feel like a quiet improvement that makes the Phone app a little easier to live with.
