The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is still a popular smartphone among users who value balance of price and functionality. However, even in such a proven model, simple but annoying questions periodically arise - for example, how to quickly turn a photo horizontally or vertically. Unlike the new flagships, where the photo editor is built into the gallery, on the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 9-12, this feature may be hidden or absent at all.
In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can do it, from hidden options in the standard gallery to third-party applications with advanced editing tools. 90/180 degrees, and what nuances are important to consider when working with RAW-Files or screenshots, and we'll focus on the problems that users face after the update. MIUI, When the usual buttons suddenly disappear from the interface.
Why doesn’t Redmi Note 5 have a “Flip” button in the gallery?
Many owners of Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) are faced with the fact that the standard Gallery app does not have an explicit option for turning images.
- 🔹 Version. MIUI: In firmware before MIUI 11 editing function was cut down – instead of a full-fledged editor, only a basic set of tools (trimming, filters) was offered).
- 🔹 Regional assemblies: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI The set of functions may differ. For example, in Chinese firmware, there is often an advanced Mi Photo Editor, which is not available in the global one.
- 🔹 File format: Photo in format.HEIC or.RAW (If you have filmed in manual mode, you may not support editing directly in the gallery.
In addition, after upgrading to MIUI 12+, some users note that the edit button disappears from the context menu altogether, due to the optimization of the interface to the new standards of Xiaomi, where cloud services (for example, Mi Cloud Gallery) are given priority.
⚠️ Note: If you are using the Redmi Note 5 Pro (dual camera model), check if the mode is on. AI-Photos taken in this mode can be blocked for editing because of metadata added by AI.
Method 1: Standard Gallery Editor (Hidden Function)
Even if the "Flip" button is not publicly available, it can be called through the advanced editing menu.
- Open the Gallery app and select the photo you want.
- Slip on the icon "Edit" (pencil in the bottom menu).
- In the lower right corner, click on three dots (“More”) → select “Turn”.
- There will be a hidden option “Reflect” (mirror display) and turn buttons 90° left / right.
If you don't have a "Reflect" option, try a long-click on the turn icon, which sometimes causes an extra menu, and check if you have a lightweight version of the gallery (like Gallery Lite) that has the functionality stripped down.
Make sure the photo is not in format HEIC|Update the Gallery app in Play Market|Try to open a photo through Google Photos|Reboot your phone (sometimes resets the cache of the gallery)-->
Method 2: Google Photos – Universal Editor
Google Photos offers more flexible image tools than the standard Xiaomi gallery.
- Install Google Photos from Play Market (if not already installed).
- Open the photo in the application and tap "Edit" (icon with sliders).
- Go to the "Tools" tab» → «Turn».
- Here's available: 🔄 Turn 90.° left-right. 🔀 Reflect horizontally/vertically (mirror image). ✂️ Auto-alignment pruning.
Google Photos has the advantage of supporting all formats (including HEIC and RAW) and saving the original file when editing. However, note that working with RAW may require an Internet connection - the application downloads additional modules for processing.
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If the photo quality deteriorated after editing in Google Photos, check the compression settings: Settings → Backup Creation → Download quality. Select “Original Quality” to avoid losses.
Method 3: Third-Party Applications for Advanced Editing
If the built-in tools don't work, consider the specialized editors. We tested 5 apps and selected the best ones for the Redmi Note 5:
| Annex | Functions | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapseed | Turn, reflection, perspective, correction of distortions | Free, no watermarks, RAW support | A complex interface for beginners |
| PicsArt | Mirror reflection, turn, collages | Lots of templates, social functions | Advertising, paid filters |
| Photo Editor Pro | Turning in 1° increments, reflection, correction of exposure | Accurate angle adjustment, support for layers | Paid version to remove restrictions |
For the Redmi Note 5, we recommend Snapseed, which is optimized for weak processors (like the Snapdragon 636 in this model) and does not slow down when working with large files.
- Open the photo in Snapseed.
- Select the “Turn” tool (icon with curved arrow).
- Use gestures to turn or tap on the Reflect icon (two arrows pointing in different directions).
- Save the changes by selecting “Export” → “Save”.
⚠️ Note: When saving in Snapseed, compression is used by default. To avoid loss of quality, click Settings before exporting) → «Format" and select JPEG 100%.
Method 4: Flip through the file manager (for experienced)
If you need to quickly deploy a lot of photos (such as screenshots or documents), you can use a file manager with support for batch editing.
Instructions for Solid Explorer:
- Install Solid Explorer.
- Go to the photo folder (usually DCIM/Camera).
- Select files (long tap) → tap on the three dots at the top → “Edit”.
- Select “Turn” and specify the direction (90°, 180° or “Reflect”).
To turn the photo over with Img2Go:
- Open the site in your browser (we recommend Chrome for Redmi Note 5).
- Upload the photo from your phone (the button "Select files").
- Choose the action: “Turn” (corner) or “Reflect” (horizontal/vertical).
- Click Download and save the file back to the gallery.
⚠️ Note: When uploading photos to online services, images are temporarily stored on third-party servers. Do not use this method for confidential photos (documents, passports, bank cards).
Standard Gallery Xiaomi|Google Photo|Third-party apps (Snapseed, PicsArt)|Online services |I don't edit-->
Frequent problems and their solutions
When you flip a photo on Redmi Note 5, you're faced with a common error, and we've collected some of the most common and corrective ways to do this:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The "Reflect" button is inactive | Photo in HEIC or RAW format | Convert to JPEG via Google Photos or Snapseed |
| After the turn, the photo “moved” around the edges | Automatic pruning when changing orientation | Before turning, cut the photo with a margin around the edges |
| Gallery app flies out when editing | A damaged cache or conflict with the MIUI theme | Clear the gallery cache in Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage |
If the photo stopped showing in the gallery after the turn, check:
- 📁 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are not updated.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will reset the media scanner cache.
- 🛠️ Use the Media Rescan app from Play Market to force file scanning.
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If the photo is blurred after editing, the cause may be automatic compression in the gallery. Before turning, open the gallery settings (Settings → Gallery → Image Quality) and select “Original”.