You took a great shot on your Xiaomi, but it turned upside down? Or do you need to reflect it horizontally for creative effect? There are several ways to deploy photos in the MIUI ecosystem, from built-in tools to professional apps, and the key is to know where to look for these features, because they're not always obvious.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. You will learn how to turn a photo right in the standard gallery, through the MIUI editor, using Google Photos and even on your computer.
Whether you want a mirror image for social media or just the right orientation, you'll find a solution to your problem here, and yes, we've taken into account all the nuances of the latest versions of MIUI 14/15, where the interface has changed.
1. Method: U-turn right in the Xiaomi Gallery (fastest)
The standard Gallery app on Xiaomi can rotate photos, but not everyone knows that it also supports horizontal/vertical reflection. The feature is hidden in the editing menu, and it is easy to miss.
Here's how it works:
- Open the photo in the Gallery app (a flower logo icon).
- Slip on the "Edit" icon** (pencil in the lower right corner).
- In the lower menu, select the "Pruning" tab** (the icon with the frame).
- In the upper right corner, click on the "Turn" icon: 🔄 Turn 90.° — spinning. 🔀 Reflect - a horizontal (mirror) or vertical turn.
"Save."
MIUI
Photo not blocked for editing (no icon) 🔒)
Version. MIUI under 12 (in) MIUI 11 the function of reflection may not be)
Photos not in RAW format (other tools are needed for this)
Free space on the phone (minimum 10% of the photo volume)-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 s MIUI 13) the reflection option may not be available in the standard gallery, in which case use the methods in the following sections.
If the photo is of poor quality after the reversal, do not be afraid – this is a feature of the compression algorithm in MIUI. To avoid losses, save a copy of the original before editing (click the photo in the gallery → “Create a copy”).
2. Method: MIUI editor (for fine tuning)
MIUI has a hidden, advanced editor that allows you not only to unfold your photos, but also to adjust your perspective, remove distortions and even change the background, and access it through a standard gallery, but not everyone is aware of its capabilities.
Instructions:
- Open the photo in the Gallery and click "Edit".
- In the bottom menu, select “More”** (three dots or icon) ⋮).
"Save as a copy"
| MIUI version | Option name | Location. | Supports RAW? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14/15 | Reflection | More. → Tools → Transformation | Yes (with limitations) |
| MIUI 12/13 | Mirror. | More. → Additionally. → Effects. | No. |
| MIUI 11 and below | Absent. | — | — |
💡 Useful advice: If you often work with photos, add an editor MIUI to Quick Settings. To do this, press the Gallery app icon on the home screen. → «Widgets» → Drag “Photo Editor”** to the notification panel.
Turn |Reflection |Pruning |Correction |Filter-->
3. Method: Google Photos (for cloud editing)
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t suit you, use Google Photos.This app is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones and offers more flexible reversal options, including automatic alignment and perspective correction.
How to expand photos in Google Photos:
🔹 How to expand photos in Snapseed:
- Open the photo in the app.
- Slip on the Tools** → Transformation.
⚠️ Note: Some apps (like PicsArt) add watermarks to the free version. To remove them, save photos via Share»** → «Save to the gallery, not directly from the editor.
How to remove a watermark in PicsArt without a paid subscription
5. Method: Turnover on the computer (for maximum quality)
If you need to expand the photo without any loss of quality (for example, for printing or professional processing), it is better to do it on a PC. RAW-Xiaomi cameras that weigh in on the 50-100 MB and lose details when editing on phone.
Options for Windows/macOS:
- 🖥️ Windows Explorer is the simplest way: Click on the photo with the right button → «Open with help»** → «Photo. Click on the icon "Turn"** (round arrow) → Select "Reflect horizontally/vertically." Save the changes (Ctrl) + S).
Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom Classic
- Open the photo in the program.
- Press Edit. → Transform → Flip Horizontal/Vertical.
- Export in original resolution ("File → Export"** → "Quality: 100%").
💡 Useful tip for Xiaomi owners: If you often transfer photos to your PC, turn on the option “Transfer by” in Xiaomi settings USB mode PTP»** (not MTP). It'll speed up copying. RAW-Files and reduce the risk of damage. → Connection and sharing → USB-connection.
Why can the turn function be missing?
Xiaomi users sometimes find that the photo reversal option disappears or becomes inactive, and the reasons can range from MIUI bugs to file format limitations.
- 🔒 Photo blocked: If a photo is marked as "Personal" or "Hidden" (e.g., in "Drafts"** or "Encrypted Albums"), it cannot be edited. Solution: Unblock the photo in the Gallery → Albums. → Blocked.
💡
If the turn-off function is gone after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous version of the gallery. To do this, download the old version APK from the APKMirror site and install manually (be sure to allow installation from unknown sources).