diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/MainActivity.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/MainActivity.kt
index c1f3bd99..3a3febf5 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/MainActivity.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/MainActivity.kt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import android.graphics.Color
 import android.os.Bundle
 import android.os.IBinder
 import android.provider.Settings
+import android.view.OrientationEventListener
 import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.activity.OnBackPressedCallback
 import androidx.activity.SystemBarStyle
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.BackPressInterceptor
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.BluetoothPermissionHelper
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.PermissionRequestHelper
+import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.SmartOrientationListener
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.extensions.replaceFragment
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.isWebViewSupported
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.webapp.RemotePlayerService
@@ -59,6 +61,8 @@ class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
         }
     }
 
+    private val orientationListener: OrientationEventListener by lazy { SmartOrientationListener(this) }
+
     /**
      * Passes back press events onto the currently visible [Fragment] if it implements the [BackPressInterceptor] interface.
      *
@@ -141,6 +145,11 @@ class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
         chromecast.initializePlugin(this)
     }
 
+    override fun onStart() {
+        super.onStart()
+        orientationListener.enable()
+    }
+
     private fun handleServerState(state: ServerState) {
         with(supportFragmentManager) {
             val currentFragment = findFragmentById(R.id.fragment_container)
@@ -190,6 +199,11 @@ class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
         }
     }
 
+    override fun onStop() {
+        super.onStop()
+        orientationListener.disable()
+    }
+
     override fun onDestroy() {
         unbindService(serviceConnection)
         chromecast.destroy()
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/app/AppPreferences.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/app/AppPreferences.kt
index cbba99ad..0f33bc11 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/app/AppPreferences.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/app/AppPreferences.kt
@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@ class AppPreferences(context: Context) {
     val videoPlayerType: String
         get() = sharedPreferences.getString(Constants.PREF_VIDEO_PLAYER_TYPE, VideoPlayerType.EXO_PLAYER)!!
 
+    val exoPlayerStartLandscapeVideoInLandscape: Boolean
+        get() = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(Constants.PREF_EXOPLAYER_START_LANDSCAPE_VIDEO_IN_LANDSCAPE, false)
+
     val exoPlayerAllowSwipeGestures: Boolean
         get() = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(Constants.PREF_EXOPLAYER_ALLOW_SWIPE_GESTURES, true)
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/events/ActivityEventHandler.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/events/ActivityEventHandler.kt
index 284b2ef7..f26ee625 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/events/ActivityEventHandler.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/events/ActivityEventHandler.kt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package org.jellyfin.mobile.events
 
 import android.content.ActivityNotFoundException
 import android.content.Intent
+import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
 import android.os.Bundle
 import androidx.core.net.toUri
 import androidx.lifecycle.Lifecycle
@@ -47,9 +48,12 @@ class ActivityEventHandler(
             is ActivityEvent.ChangeFullscreen -> {
                 val fullscreenHelper = PlayerFullscreenHelper(window)
                 if (event.isFullscreen) {
+                    requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE
                     fullscreenHelper.enableFullscreen()
                     window.setBackgroundDrawable(null)
                 } else {
+                    // Reset screen orientation
+                    requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_UNSPECIFIED
                     fullscreenHelper.disableFullscreen()
                     // Reset window background color
                     window.setBackgroundDrawableResource(R.color.theme_background)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerFragment.kt
index e5acafd9..3d5487cc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerFragment.kt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package org.jellyfin.mobile.player.ui
 
 import android.app.Activity
 import android.app.PictureInPictureParams
+import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
 import android.content.res.Configuration
 import android.graphics.Rect
 import android.os.Build
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ import android.os.Bundle
 import android.os.Handler
 import android.os.Looper
 import android.view.LayoutInflater
+import android.view.OrientationEventListener
 import android.view.View
 import android.view.ViewGroup
 import android.view.WindowManager.LayoutParams.BRIGHTNESS_OVERRIDE_NONE
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants.DEFAULT_CONTROLS_TIMEOUT_MS
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants.PIP_MAX_RATIONAL
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants.PIP_MIN_RATIONAL
+import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.SmartOrientationListener
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.brightness
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.extensions.aspectRational
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.extensions.getParcelableCompat
@@ -76,6 +79,16 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
     private val currentVideoStream: MediaStream?
         get() = viewModel.mediaSourceOrNull?.selectedVideoStream
 
+    /**
+     * Listener that watches the current device orientation.
+     * It makes sure that the orientation sensor can still be used (if enabled)
+     * after toggling the orientation through the fullscreen button.
+     *
+     * If the requestedOrientation was reset directly after setting it in the fullscreenSwitcher click handler,
+     * the orientation would get reverted before the user had any chance to rotate the device to the desired position.
+     */
+    private val orientationListener: OrientationEventListener by lazy { SmartOrientationListener(requireActivity()) }
+
     override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
 
@@ -106,6 +119,9 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
             if (mediaSource.selectedVideoStream?.isLandscape == false) {
                 // For portrait videos, immediately enable fullscreen
                 playerFullscreenHelper.enableFullscreen()
+            } else if (appPreferences.exoPlayerStartLandscapeVideoInLandscape) {
+                // Auto-switch to landscape for landscape videos if enabled
+                requireActivity().requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE
             }
 
             // Update title and player menus
@@ -193,7 +209,7 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
         // Disable controller animations
         playerView.setControllerAnimationEnabled(false)
 
-        playerLockScreenHelper = PlayerLockScreenHelper(this, playerBinding)
+        playerLockScreenHelper = PlayerLockScreenHelper(this, playerBinding, orientationListener)
         playerGestureHelper = PlayerGestureHelper(this, playerBinding, playerLockScreenHelper)
 
         // Handle fullscreen switcher
@@ -202,6 +218,11 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
         }
     }
 
+    override fun onStart() {
+        super.onStart()
+        orientationListener.enable()
+    }
+
     override fun onResume() {
         super.onResume()
 
@@ -238,10 +259,25 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Toggle fullscreen
+     * Toggle fullscreen.
+     *
+     * If playing a portrait video, this just hides the status and navigation bars.
+     * For landscape videos, additionally the screen gets rotated.
      */
     private fun toggleFullscreen() {
-        playerFullscreenHelper.toggleFullscreen()
+        val videoTrack = currentVideoStream
+        if (videoTrack == null || videoTrack.isLandscape) {
+            val current = resources.configuration.orientation
+            requireActivity().requestedOrientation = when (current) {
+                Configuration.ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT -> ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE
+                else -> ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT
+            }
+            // No need to call playerFullscreenHelper in this case,
+            // since the configuration change triggers updateFullscreenState,
+            // which does it for us.
+        } else {
+            playerFullscreenHelper.toggleFullscreen()
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -377,6 +413,11 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
         }
     }
 
+    override fun onStop() {
+        super.onStop()
+        orientationListener.disable()
+    }
+
     override fun onDestroyView() {
         super.onDestroyView()
         // Detach player from PlayerView
@@ -391,6 +432,8 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
     override fun onDestroy() {
         super.onDestroy()
         with(requireActivity()) {
+            // Reset screen orientation
+            requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_UNSPECIFIED
             playerFullscreenHelper.disableFullscreen()
             // Reset screen brightness
             window.brightness = BRIGHTNESS_OVERRIDE_NONE
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerLockScreenHelper.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerLockScreenHelper.kt
index c3aa1631..f10b061f 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerLockScreenHelper.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/player/ui/PlayerLockScreenHelper.kt
@@ -1,15 +1,20 @@
 package org.jellyfin.mobile.player.ui
 
+import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
+import android.view.OrientationEventListener
 import android.widget.ImageButton
 import androidx.core.view.isVisible
 import androidx.media3.ui.PlayerView
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.databinding.FragmentPlayerBinding
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.AndroidVersion
 import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.Constants
+import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.extensions.lockOrientation
+import org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.isAutoRotateOn
 
 class PlayerLockScreenHelper(
     private val playerFragment: PlayerFragment,
     private val playerBinding: FragmentPlayerBinding,
+    private val orientationListener: OrientationEventListener,
 ) {
     private val playerView: PlayerView by playerBinding::playerView
     private val unlockScreenButton: ImageButton by playerBinding::unlockScreenButton
@@ -30,12 +35,18 @@ class PlayerLockScreenHelper(
 
     fun lockScreen() {
         playerView.useController = false
+        orientationListener.disable()
+        playerFragment.requireActivity().lockOrientation()
         peekUnlockButton()
     }
 
     private fun unlockScreen() {
         hideUnlockButton()
         val activity = playerFragment.requireActivity()
+        if (activity.isAutoRotateOn()) {
+            activity.requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_UNSPECIFIED
+        }
+        orientationListener.enable()
         if (!AndroidVersion.isAtLeastN || !activity.isInPictureInPictureMode) {
             playerView.useController = true
             playerView.apply {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/settings/SettingsFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/settings/SettingsFragment.kt
index bd4e7402..12753cc4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/settings/SettingsFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/settings/SettingsFragment.kt
@@ -132,6 +132,10 @@ class SettingsFragment : Fragment(), BackPressInterceptor {
                 externalPlayerChoicePreference.enabled = selection == VideoPlayerType.EXTERNAL_PLAYER
             }
         }
+        startLandscapeVideoInLandscapePreference = checkBox(Constants.PREF_EXOPLAYER_START_LANDSCAPE_VIDEO_IN_LANDSCAPE) {
+            titleRes = R.string.pref_exoplayer_start_landscape_video_in_landscape
+            enabled = appPreferences.videoPlayerType == VideoPlayerType.EXO_PLAYER
+        }
         swipeGesturesPreference = checkBox(Constants.PREF_EXOPLAYER_ALLOW_SWIPE_GESTURES) {
             titleRes = R.string.pref_exoplayer_allow_brightness_volume_gesture
             enabled = appPreferences.videoPlayerType == VideoPlayerType.EXO_PLAYER
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/Constants.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/Constants.kt
index 8a59a440..315e63a4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/Constants.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/Constants.kt
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ object Constants {
     const val PREF_DOWNLOAD_METHOD = "pref_download_method"
     const val PREF_MUSIC_NOTIFICATION_ALWAYS_DISMISSIBLE = "pref_music_notification_always_dismissible"
     const val PREF_VIDEO_PLAYER_TYPE = "pref_video_player_type"
+    const val PREF_EXOPLAYER_START_LANDSCAPE_VIDEO_IN_LANDSCAPE = "pref_exoplayer_start_landscape_video_in_landscape"
     const val PREF_EXOPLAYER_ALLOW_SWIPE_GESTURES = "pref_exoplayer_allow_swipe_gestures"
     const val PREF_EXOPLAYER_ALLOW_PRESS_SPEED_UP = "pref_exoplayer_allow_press_speed_up"
     const val PREF_EXOPLAYER_REMEMBER_BRIGHTNESS = "pref_exoplayer_remember_brightness"
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/SmartOrientationListener.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/SmartOrientationListener.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ff679a9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/SmartOrientationListener.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package org.jellyfin.mobile.utils
+
+import android.app.Activity
+import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
+import android.view.OrientationEventListener
+
+/**
+ * Listener that watches the current device orientation.
+ * It makes sure that the orientation sensor can still be used (if enabled)
+ * after toggling the orientation manually.
+ */
+class SmartOrientationListener(private val activity: Activity) : OrientationEventListener(activity) {
+    override fun onOrientationChanged(orientation: Int) {
+        if (!activity.isAutoRotateOn()) return
+
+        val isAtTarget = when (activity.requestedOrientation) {
+            ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT -> orientation in Constants.ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT_RANGE
+            ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE -> orientation in Constants.ORIENTATION_LANDSCAPE_RANGE
+            else -> false
+        }
+        if (isAtTarget) {
+            // Reset to unspecified orientation
+            activity.requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_UNSPECIFIED
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/extensions/Activity.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/extensions/Activity.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f7833fa0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/jellyfin/mobile/utils/extensions/Activity.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+package org.jellyfin.mobile.utils.extensions
+
+import android.app.Activity
+import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
+import android.graphics.Point
+import android.view.Surface
+
+@Suppress("DEPRECATION")
+fun Activity.lockOrientation() {
+    val display = windowManager.defaultDisplay
+    val size = Point().also(display::getSize)
+    val height = size.y
+    val width = size.x
+    requestedOrientation = when (display.rotation) {
+        Surface.ROTATION_90 -> if (width > height) ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_LANDSCAPE else ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_REVERSE_PORTRAIT
+        Surface.ROTATION_180 -> if (height > width) ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_REVERSE_PORTRAIT else ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_REVERSE_LANDSCAPE
+        Surface.ROTATION_270 -> if (width > height) ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_REVERSE_LANDSCAPE else ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT
+        else -> if (height > width) ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT else ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_LANDSCAPE
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 02fc0efa..5c150722 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@
     <string name="video_player_web_description">The default HTML video player from the Web UI</string>
     <string name="video_player_native_description">Based on ExoPlayer, supports more video formats and codecs, and is more integrated into the OS</string>
     <string name="video_player_external_description">External video playback apps like MX Player and VLC</string>
+    <string name="pref_exoplayer_start_landscape_video_in_landscape">Start landscape mode videos in landscape orientation</string>
     <string name="pref_exoplayer_allow_brightness_volume_gesture">Brightness and volume gestures</string>
     <string name="pref_exoplayer_remember_brightness">Remember display brightness</string>
     <string name="pref_exoplayer_allow_press_speed_up">Hold to speed up</string>