Preserve a visitor's work when the phone rotates

What to change

Require orientation changes to preserve the current task and keep all relevant controls available in the resulting layout.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A visitor rotates the phone to read a long option label, then returns to portrait. Their choice and previously entered contact details remain intact.

How to check the result

Accept when rotation changes presentation without losing valid work or stranding the visitor in an unusable overlay.

A mistake to avoid

Locking the website to one orientation can conceal the layout fault while preventing visitors from using the position that works for them.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordEnter fictional details and make several selections on a phone. Rotate between portrait and landscape at the first, middle and review stages.Check the selected values, expanded panels and focus position after each rotation. Ask the supplier to demonstrate that the underlying request state remains unchanged.Repeat while a menu or dialog is open. The interface should either adapt coherently or close with a clear, usable return position.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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