How to turn (mirror) the camera on Xiaomi: front and main

Have you ever faced a situation where photos on Xiaomi turn upside down? Or wanted to take a selfie, but the camera is mirrored and you need a "normal" image? This problem is most often caused by the reflection settings (mirror mode) or the sensor's incorrect orientation. In 80% of cases, the decision takes less than a minute - if you know where to look.

In this article, we will discuss all the possible ways to flip the camera on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, both software (via the MIUI settings) and hardware (if the physical position of the module is the problem). Separately, we will focus on the nuances for different models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Redmi Note 12) and firmware versions. And if you are a photographer, we will show you how to use the “inverted” camera creatively, for example, for shooting in unusual angles.

We warn you that not all methods are universal, that some devices (especially budget devices) may not have some features, but we have compiled the most complete guide, from basic actions to "surgical" interventions in system files.

1. Why does the camera on Xiaomi show an inverted image?

Before we fix the problem, we'll figure out what causes it, and there are three, and each one needs to be solved.

• 🔄 Mirror Mode (Special Mode) – Standard Function MIUI, It's the default camera that's on the front camera, and it's mirrored to make selfies look familiar, but sometimes it's on the main camera or it's not working properly.
• 📱 Software failure - after the update MIUI, Resetting settings or custom firmware installations can "fly" display settings, most often treated by rebooting or resetting camera settings.
• 🛠️ Hardware problem is the physical displacement of the chamber module (for example, after a fall) or damage to the plume, in which case the image will be inverted always, regardless of the application.

How do you determine your case? Do a simple test.

1. Open the standard Camera app and switch between the front and main cameras.
2. If the problem is only on the selfie camera, it is a mirror mode (solution in section 2).
3. If the image is inverted on both cameras, it is a software failure (see Section 3).
4. If the upside-down picture even in third-party apps (like Instagram or Snapchat) is a hardware fault (Section 5).

2.How to turn off the mirror mode on the front camera Xiaomi

The most common reason for inverted selfies is the Mirror Mode enabled, which is activated by default in MIUI, but is easy to disable, and is suitable for all models on MIUI 12-14 (including Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F5).

Follow the steps:

1. Open the Camera app and switch to the front camera (swipe down or tap on the icon). 🔄).
2. Touch the gears. ⚙️ in the upper right corner (or swipe from the right edge of the screen to the center on some models).
3. Find the Mirror display (or Mirror selfie in English firmware) and turn off the slider.
4. Return to the shooting – the image should become “normal” (not reflected).

If the mirror is not on the menu:

• 🔍 Check the Additional Settings section (three dots in the corner of the camera screen).
• 📱 Update the Camera app through the Play Market or MIUI App Store.
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes settings are reset after the update MIUI.

Important! Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) have a different DSLR mode: it only turns off for photos, but it stays for video. To turn it off completely, you have to use the ADB method.

3.Reset camera settings and system reboot

If the DSLR is off, but the problem remains, maybe the settings of the Camera app have gone wrong, and then the factory reset will help.

How to reset your camera settings on Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera (or Camera) in the list and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear Data (not to be confused with Clear Cache!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After you restart, check the camera. If the image is still upside down, try updating the firmware:

• 📲 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Click Check Updates and install the latest version. MIUI.
• 🔋 Make sure your battery is over 50% – interrupting the update may make the problem worse.

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If the saved filters or presets are lost after resetting the camera settings, they can be restored through a backup in the Mi Cloud (Settings section → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup).

If resetting and updating didn't work, go to advanced methods, but first check if the inverted image is a feature of a particular application, for example, in TikTok or Snapchat, mirror mode is turned on separately in the settings of these programs.

4. Advanced Methods: ADB and Config editing

If the standard methods don't work, you'll have to tamper with system settings, and this is a section for power users, where the wrong actions can lead to a loss of warranty or a camera failure.

Method 1: Disabling mirror mode via ADB

To do this, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging on your smartphone enabled.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global camera_hal_mirror_front 0 For the main camera, use: adb shell settings put global camera_hal_mirror_back 0
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 2: Editing the build.prop file

This method is risky - an error can lead to a bootloop.

1. Install a file manager with root folder access (e.g. Root Explorer or MiXplorer with root rights).
2. Open /system/build.prop and find the lines: ro.camera.mirror.front=true ro.camera.mirror.back=false
3. Replace true with false (and vice versa if you want to turn on a mirror).
4. Save the file, restart the device.

Attention! On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro), editing build.prop can block the bootloader. Before changing, check the unlock status in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on the line).

5. Hardware malfunctions: when to carry in the service

If all software methods have been tried, but the camera still shows the image upside down or mirrored, the problem is probably hardware.

• 🔧 Image upside down in all applications (including third-party cameras).
• 📸 When switching between cameras, the picture “jumps” or distorts.
• 🔊 Artifacts (streets, noise) appear or the camera is periodically turned off.
• 💥 The phone fell or was subjected to mechanical stress (for example, pressure on the body).

In this case, one of three components is to blame:

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi warranty, do not open it yourself - this will void the warranty. mi.com/ru/service). For diagnosis, take a check or warranty card with you.

If the warranty is over, you can try to replace the chamber module yourself. Video instructions for popular models are available on YouTube (see "[your model] camera replacement"). But remember: this requires special tools (suction cup, tweezers, hair dryers to peel off the display) and experience - without it, the risk of damage to the plume or display is very high.

6. Creative use of the "inverted" camera

Don't rush to fix the camera if it doesn't work the way you expect it to. Sometimes the defect can be turned into a creative tool. Here are some ideas:

• 🎨 Surrealist photography: upside-down landscapes or portraits look like abstract art. Try taking pictures of the sky "below" or people in unusual poses.
• 🎥 The mirror effect of video: TikTok or CapCut has a lot of viewing, and you just need to shoot a video with the camera upside down and add the text, "What if the world was upside down?».
• 📸 Macrograph from an unexpected angle: if the camera is physically displaced (for example, after a fall), it can focus from a different angle - this gives unique shots.
• 🎭 Costume selfies: In mirror mode, makeup or accessories look different - use this to create images (e.g., "evil twin»).

For example, photographer Alex Stoddard used an upside-down camera for the Gravity Defied series, where the models float in the air, and he just flipped the pictures in Lightroom, but you can get the effect in the shooting phase.

If you decide to experiment, remember:

• 🔄 Most editors (including the standard gallery) MIUI) You can turn the photo over after taking the photo: open the photo → Edit → Turn.
• 🎞️ For video, use apps like CapCut or KineMaster – there is a Flip function (reflection horizontally / vertically).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to "fix" an inverted camera, users often make mistakes that make the problem worse.

⚠️ Warning: Never update your firmware through Fastboot unless you are sure of the version MIUI. A regional firmware mismatch (e.g., installing Global on a device for the Chinese market) can block the camera completely.

Another common myth is that an upside down camera is a virus. In fact, viruses can't physically change the orientation of the sensor. If you suspect an infection, check the phone through Settings → Security → Scan or install Malwarebytes.

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Before any manipulation of the camera, check its operation in safe mode (press the power button → Safe Mode). If the problem disappears, the third-party application is to blame.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions