How to turn the photo on Android in the phone Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful cameras and advanced image processing algorithms, but sometimes standard settings work against the user’s idea. Often there is a situation where a selfie or scanned document requires orientation correction to look natural or meet the requirements of the platform. Built-in tools of the MIUI system and the new HyperOS shell allow you to solve these problems without installing third-party software.

The process of mirror reflection (flipping) can be required for a variety of reasons, from fixing facial asymmetry on a selfie to preparing an image for print or posting on social networks. Xiaomi's standard gallery provides a basic but functional set of editing tools. Understanding the logic of how the built-in editor works will save you time and eliminate the need to search for third-party apps.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to perform a mirror image using the standard system tools. You will learn to distinguish between rotation and reflection, and also learn about the nuances of working with the front camera, which by default often saves the photo in a mirrored form.

The difference between image rotation and mirror reflection

Many users confuse two fundamental concepts in graphics editors: rotate and reflection (flip/mirror), which changes the angle of the image by 90, 180 or 270 degrees, but does not change its internal geometry from left to right. If the text in the photo remains readable as it turns, it simply changes its orientation in space.

Mirror reflection changes the image horizontally or vertically, creating a reflection effect in the real mirror, the text in this operation will become unreadable, and objects will be swapped: what was on the left will be on the right, and this is the tool that is needed when the front camera saves the photo differently from what you saw yourself in the viewfinder.

⚠️ Warning: When working with documents or passport scans, using mirror reflection instead of turning will make the text unreadable.

In the interface of the editor Xiaomi these functions are separated. the icon of the turn usually looks like an arrow bent at an angle, while the reflection is indicated by two triangles facing in different directions, or a symbol ↔. Understanding this difference is critical for correct editing.

Tools of staff editor of the MIUI Gallery and HyperOS

The standard Gallery app in Xiaomi smartphones hides powerful functionality available immediately after opening a photo. To enter editing mode, just click the Change button or the pencil icon at the bottom of the screen. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same.

The basic toolkit for transformation is in the Cut or Crade tab, and there are sliders for cropping and buttons for geometric transformations, and this is the menu that hides the horizontal reflection function needed to flip the image.

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If you don’t see the reflection button right away, try swiping the tool menu upwards or clicking on the “More” icon (three dots), as some versions of MIUI have features hidden in the optional menu.

The editor supports batch processing in some versions of the firmware, but for a point-to-point mirror flip, it’s better to work with each file separately.This ensures that you don’t apply a reflection to a series of photos where it’s not required.

• 📷 Open the desired photo in the Gallery app and click the "Change" button».
• ✂️ Select the Crop tool in the lower menu.
• 🔄 Find the icon with two triangles (↔) horizontally.
• 💾 Click Save to apply changes to the file.

Step-by-step: how to turn a photo horizontally

Consider a detailed algorithm for performing mirror flipping, which works on most current Redmi, POCO, and Xiaomi models with Android-based shells. Open the gallery first and select the target image.

Click on the edit button. In the menu that opens, look for the "Cut" section. At the bottom of the screen, next to the framing sliders, you'll see a row of icons. We're interested in a symbol that resembles two triangles looking in different directions, or arrows pointing left and right.

When you click on the button, the image will instantly be reflected on the vertical axis. If you like the result, click OK or tick, and then Save. The system will suggest saving changes to the current file or creating a copy - for data security, you better choose to create a copy.

Importantly, the vertical reflection (flip upside down) feature is also available in the same menu, but is indicated by up and down arrows. Be careful when choosing a direction so as not to spoil the composition of the frame.

Setup front camera: save as in a mirror

One of the most common reasons for looking for a reflection feature is the behavior of the front camera. By default, many Xiaomi smartphones show a preview in mirror mode, but save the photo the way other people see you (not mirror), which can be confusing when posing.

To save the camera selfie exactly as you see yourself on the screen (mirror), you need to change the settings. Open the Camera app, switch to the front module and click on the three bars in the corner of the screen. Go to Settings.

In the settings menu, find the Mirror front camera and activate it, and then all new photos will automatically be saved in mirror reflection, and you do not have to edit them manually.

Using Google Photos for batch processing

If Xiaomi's regular gallery is unavailable or uncomfortable for some reason, you can use the Google Photos app preinstalled, which also has a mirror function, although the interface is slightly different.

Click Change and go to the Tools tab (or customization icon), where you'll find the Turn button, which cycles 90 degrees, and a separate reflecting button, usually located next to you, that allows you to quickly flip the image horizontally.

The advantage of Google Photos is that it can keep the history of changes in the cloud, and you can always go back to the original, even if you saved the edits. However, for fast work without the Internet, the built-in MIUI editor often works faster and has a wider set of filters.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services, make sure you have a stable network connection if the original photo is not uploaded to your device in full resolution.

Third-party applications for complex editing

If you want to not just reflect a photo, but also use complex filters, masks or fine-tuning contrast after a flip, you should turn to specialized applications. Google Play and GetApps stores offer many solutions.

Popular editors like Snapseed, PicsArt, or Lightroom allow you to mirror with high precision. In Snapseed, for example, you have to select the Transformation tool and click on the reflection icon, which gives you more control over the final result.

Installing additional apps is justified if you are a professional mobile photographer or blogger. For one-time tasks, there are enough features built into the Android system by default.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Mirror reflection is a basic feature available in any Xiaomi smartphone without installing additional software, and it does not reduce the quality of the original image.