Do you take selfies on a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, and the finished pictures show the text on the T-shirt backwards? Or does WhatsApp video call your image look upside down like a mirror? This is the standard behavior of the front cameras of most smartphones — mirroring (mirror effect), which many users want to disable. Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where the SLR can be deactivated in the camera settings, on Xiaomi devices this parameter is often hidden or absent at all.
The reasons for this behavior lie in image processing algorithms: manufacturers deliberately mirror images from the front camera to make the self-selective interface intuitive (as in looking in a mirror). However, in the final photos and videos, this creates inconvenience — especially if you take text, gestures or demonstrate objects. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove mirroring on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI settings, third-party applications and methods for rooted devices. Important: the effectiveness of methods depends on the smartphone model and firmware version (released for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS).
Why Xiaomi’s camera mirrors the image and can it be fixed?
Front-facing mirroring is not a bug, it's a feature. Xiaomi manufacturers, like other brands, use horizontal reflection (flip on the X-axis) for three reasons:
- 🔹 Psychological comfort: in real life, we're used to seeing ourselves in a mirror, where the left and right sides are reversed. Without the mirror effect, self-selecting would seem "wrong».
- 🔹 Social Compatibility: Most platforms (such as TikTok or Instagram) automatically mirror video when downloaded to compensate for the lack of reflection on the original file.
- 🔹 Hardware limitations: Some camera modules are physically mounted “upside down” and software mirroring fixes this.
Xiaomi’s mirror effect is evident:
- 📸 In the standard camera app (when taking selfies and videos).
- 🎥 In video calling apps (Zoom, Google Meet, Viber) if they use API Xiaomi.
- 🖼️ In screenshots of the screen with the camera on (for example, when recording gameplay with a superimposition of the face).
Can you remove the mirroring altogether? Yes, but with reservations:
- ✅ At the level MIUI — Only on some models (list below).
- ✅ Through third-party apps – partially (not everyone supports disabling the mirror).
- ✅ On rooted devices – completely, but requires technical skills.
Method 1: MIUI camera settings (official method)
The easiest way to check is to check if your firmware has a built-in option to turn off the mirror. Unfortunately, it is not available on all models. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60 with MIUI 14, this option may not be available, whereas on the POCO F4 or Redmi Note 11 Pro+, it sometimes appears after updates.
Instructions:
- Open the standard Camera app.
- Touch the gears. ⚙️ in the upper right corner (or swipe from the right edge of the screen if the settings panel is hidden).
- Go to Additional Settings or Camera Settings (name depends on MIUI version).
- Look for options: Mirror Image (Front Camera Flip) Correct Orientation (Front Camera Flip)
Turn off the slider or uncheck the tick next to the appropriate setting.
If you don’t have this option, try updating your firmware: sometimes Xiaomi adds it to new versions of MIUI. To check for current updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.
☑️ Checking for the mirroring option
Method 2: Use of third-party cameras (Google Camera, Open Camera)
If you can't turn off mirroring in a standard Xiaomi camera, install an alternative app.
| Annex | Support for disabling the mirror | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Camera (GCam) | ✅ Yes (most ports) | Best quality photos, but requires the right configuration for your model | Download |
| Open Camera | ✅ Yes (in settings) | Open source, no advertising, supports manual settings | Play Market |
| Footage | ❌ No. | Good for video, but mirroring remains | Play Market |
| Camera MX | ⚠️ Partially (depending on the model) | There is a Mirror Selfie option, but it doesn’t work for all Xiaomis. | Play Market |
How to turn off mirroring in Open Camera:
- Install an app from the Play Market.
- Open the Open Camera and touch three points (⋮) top-right.
- Go to Settings → Photo settings.
- Find the Front camera mirror option and uncheck the box.
- For video, repeat the action in the Video settings section.
Step-by-step instructions for Snapseed:
- Open the photo in Snapseed.
- Slap on the Toules instrument (pencil icon).
- Choose Transformation. → Reflection.
- Click on the Horizontal icon (two arrows pointing left-right).
- Save the result (Export).
For the video on CapCut:
- Import the clip into the project.
- Slip the video on the timeline and select Edit.
- Go to Adjust → Mirror.
- Activate Flip Horizontally.
Why aren’t all editors making good videos?
Method 4: Change system settings (for rooted devices)
If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and root access, you can disable system-level mirroring, a risky method: wrong actions can lead to a loss of warranty or camera failure.
Important: Before making changes, back up your data via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.
Method 1: Editing the build.prop file
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /system/build.prop.
- Find the line: ro.vendor.camera.front.mirror=1 and replace 1 by 0.
- Save the file and restart the smartphone.
Method 2: Use of the ADB-team
If you don’t have root but USB debugging enabled, try sending a command via ADB:
adb shell settings put global camera_hal_mirror_front 0Once done, restart the device. Note: this method does not work on all firmware.
💡
Rooting the device voids Xiaomi’s warranty.If you’re not sure about your skills, use alternative methods (camera side or editing).
⚠️ Warning: Changing system files can cause a camera crash or cyclic reboot (bootloop).If the smartphone doesn't turn on after editing build.prop, restore stock firmware via Fastboot.
Method 5: Configure mirroring in specific applications
Some messengers and social networks have their own camera settings, independent of the system.
- 📱 WhatsApp: Open video call. Touch three dots (⋮) Select to switch the camera (if Mirror is not available, mirroring cannot be turned off).
- 🎥 Zoom: On the main menu, tap your avatar. Go to Settings → Activate Mirror my video (paradoxically, but turning this option on sometimes takes away the mirror effect).
Instagram:
In a standard Instagram camera, you can't turn off mirroring. Use the workaround:
- Shoot your video in Open Camera without a mirror.
- Upload the finished file to Instagram via the gallery.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove mirroring, users often face typical problems:
- 🔄 Double mirroring: If you deploy a photo in the editor and then upload it to a social network that automatically uses mirror again, the image will remain inverted. Solution: disable autoprocessing in your account settings (for example, Facebook is an Auto-Enhance option).
- 📵 The camera stopped working: after editing the system files, the module can give an error Cannot connect to camera. Solution: clear the Camera app cache in the settings or reset the settings to the factory.
- 🔒 There is no root, but you want system changes: some users try to get root access through questionable services. Risk: high chance of installing malware. Alternative: use Magisk for a temporary root without unlocking the bootloader.