How to mirror photos on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions for all models

Did you take the perfect shot on Xiaomi, but it turned out "backward"? Or do you need to prepare a photo to print on a T-shirt that requires mirroring? Mirroring (horizontal inversion) is a standard feature that the manufacturer hid in an unobvious way. In this article, we will discuss all working methods for Redmi models, POCO and flagship lines, including hidden MIUI chips.

Importantly, the process differs depending on the firmware version and the Gallery app installed. We tested the instructions on MIUI 12-14 and the latest HyperOS updates. If your smartphone runs on pure Android (for example, POCO F5 with global firmware), use the universal methods in the third-party app section.

Why can a photo be “inverted”?

Most often, mirror display is required for:

• 📸 Selfie – The front camera defaults to save pictures in a mirrored form, but some messengers (like WhatsApp) automatically fix this when sending it.
• 🖨️ Prints on clothes / accessories – to transfer the image to a T-shirt or mug, you need to invert the picture, otherwise the text will be unreadable.
• 🎭 Artistic effects – mirroring creates interesting visual illusions (for example, for collages).
• 📄 Document scanning – if the scan is “back-to-back”, it must be deployed before sending.

Xiaomi has built-in tools for this task, but their location has changed with the release of new versions of MIUI, for example, in MIUI 13 the option is hidden in the editing menu, and in MIUI 14 it was moved to the "Effects" section.

Method 1: through the standard gallery (MIUI 12-14)

The fastest method is to use a built-in editor, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with a branded shell:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with colored squares).
2. Select the right photo and tap it to open.
3. Click the "Edit" button (the pencil icon in the bottom menu).
4. Go to the "Pruning" section (the icon of the frame with corners).
5. In the bottom menu, find the "Mirror" button (two arrows pointing to the sides) and tap it. The photo instantly inverts horizontally.
6. Save the changes with the "Ready" button in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The "Mirror" button may not be in the crop menu, in which case use an alternative path:

1. In the photo editor, go to the "Effects" section (the magic wand icon).
2. Scroll down to the Geometry block.
3. Select the option "Reflection horizontally".

If this method didn’t work, your version of the Gallery is stripped down (often found on budget models like the Redmi 9A).

Method 2: Google Photos (Universal for all Xiaomi)

Google Photos is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones with global firmware, and offers more flexible editing tools:

1. Open Google Photos and select the image you want.
2. Slip the "Edit" button (three bars in the bottom menu).
3. Go to the Tools tab (the icon of a circle with dots).
4. Select the "Turn" option.
5. In the lower menu, the “Reflect” button will appear – press it to invert the photo horizontally.
6. Save the changes by the "Save copy" button (important: the original will remain intact!).

The advantage of this method is that Google Photos automatically syncs the edited photos to the cloud, so you will not lose the change even when you reset your phone. In addition, there is a vertical reflection (the option “Reflect vertically” in the same menu).

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If the Reflect button is inactive, check that the photo is not in the Blocked album. Unlock it in the Google Photos settings.

Method 3: Using the Camera app (for new images)

If you need to mirror a new image before saving it, use the camera settings:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to the front camera (if you need to mirror a selfie).
3. Slap the icon "⚙️ Settings" in the upper right corner.
4. Find the Mirror Display option (or Mirror Selfie in English) and turn it on.
5. Take a picture - it will automatically be saved in a mirrored form.

⚠️ Note: This setting only works for new photos. It won't change the saved photos! Also note that on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) front camera mirroring is enabled by default, but is turned off when shooting video.

Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Advanced Editing

If the built-in tools don’t work, install one of these apps (all are free and run without root):

• 📱 Snapseed (from Google): Professional editor with the option "Reflection" in the menu "Tools" → Transformation".
• 🎨 PicsArt: After uploading photos, select Tools → Turn. → Reflect horizontally".
• 🔄 Photo Mirror: a specialized mirroring app with preview.
• 🖼️ Adobe Lightroom: Reflect option available under "Geometry".

Example for Snapseed:

1. Open the photo in the app.
2. Slap the Tools icon.
3. Select "Transformation."
4. In the lower menu, click "Reflection" (the icon with two arrows).
5. Choose the direction of reflection (horizontal or vertical).
6. Save the result with the "Export" button.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party editors, always check the app's permissions in your phone settings. Some programs (e.g., Chinese photo studios) request access to contacts and geolocations without the need to.

Method 5: via PC (for batch processing)

If you need to mirror dozens of photos (for example, to print on merch), it is more convenient to use a computer:

• 🖥️ Windows (Conductor): Connect your phone to your PC and copy the photo. Select the files → right-button → "Turn around" → "Reflect horizontally".

Mac (View)

1. Open the photo in the "View" app.
2. In the menu, select "Tools" → "Reflect horizontally".
3. 🌐 Online services (e.g, Img2Go): upload a photo, select the direction of reflection and download the result.

If you edit your photo and it looks “compressed” or with artifacts, try saving it in PNG format instead of JPEG. To do this, select the “Save as a copy” option in the save menu and manually specify the format.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions