What is mirror mode in the phone Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users often encounter the term “mirror mode”, but do not always understand its versatility in the MIUI ecosystem. In the context of modern gadgets, this concept can mean three completely different use cases. First, we can talk about software mirror display of the screen to external devices through the Mi Cast protocol. Second, this often means the function of the front camera, which takes a selfie “in the mirror”, without turning the image. And, finally, in rare cases, users are looking for a way to flip the entire system interface by 180 degrees, which is sometimes required for specific tasks or when the sensor breaks.

Understanding these nuances is critical, as misconfiguring video conferencing can lead to confusion or discomfort when viewing photos. MIUI offers flexible tools for each of these cases, hidden in different sections of the menu. Understanding how exactly the hardware and software mirror image in your device works will avoid errors when saving important pictures and correctly broadcast the image to the big screen.

In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of working with mirror image on Xiaomi smartphones. We will look at camera settings, display functions on the TV and methods for controlling the orientation of the display. This guide will help you fully control what you see on the screen and how your device interacts with the outside world.

Mirroring the image in the camera: selfies without distortion

The most common request is for the front camera setup, and many smartphones default to "mirror-like" previews, but save the final frame the way other people see you, creating cognitive dissonance because we're used to seeing ourselves reflected in the mirror. In Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, a separate switch in the camera settings, often called "Mirror" or "Save as in preview," is responsible for this.

To change the behavior of the camera, you need to open the Camera app and go to the settings menu by clicking on the three bars in the upper right corner. Here you should select the Settings section (cog icon). Find the option "Mirror reflection" or "Save selfies as in preview." If the function is enabled, the final photo will fully correspond to what you saw on the screen during shooting. If turned off, the photo will be turned horizontally, which is the standard for social networks and video calls.

⚠️ Attention: SLR enabled can make text on clothing or signs in the background unreadable. Use this feature consciously if you plan to post photos in public profiles.

For bloggers or reviewers, consistency is important. Some bloggers prefer to mirror their hand movements to match their normal motility when editing; others insist on "real" displays so that they don't confuse the audience with inverted logos. The choice is solely based on your personal preferences and objectives.

Screen broadcast: wired and wireless mirror

The second aspect of mirroring is the duplicating of images from your smartphone to your monitor, TV or projector, which is often called Mi Cast or Translation in Xiaomi terminology, and it lets you turn your Redmi screen into a remote control for a large display, broadcasting all the actions in real time, ideal for presentations, watching videos or showing games.

There are two main ways to connect: the wireless method uses Miracast technology or Xiaomi's proprietary protocol. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The wired method requires a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter and support for a video output from a smartphone (DisplayPort Alt Mode technology). Not all low-end Redmi models support video transmission over cable, so wireless is the most versatile method.

To start the wireless broadcast, perform the following actions:

• 📡 Open the Control Panel to swipe down and find the Translation icon or Mi Cast icon".
• 📺 Make sure your TV or Android set-top box is TV Miracast is included and supported.
• 🔗 Select the detected device in the list on the smartphone screen.
• ✅ Confirm the connection on the TV if a permission request appears.

It's worth noting that wireless connectivity can have a little latency, which is critical for dynamic gaming, and in such cases, using cable, if the phone model allows it, can give you instant feedback.

The problem of the inverted screen and the rotation sensor

Sometimes, users who use mirror mode understand a situation where the image on the screen is upside down or sideways, and they don't want to return to normal. The orientation of the picture in Android is the responsibility of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. If these sensors are not working correctly or are locked software, the interface can get stuck in the wrong orientation.

First of all, check the orientation lock status. There's a button in the Control Panel that shows the lock or arrows. If it's active, the screen will be locked in the current position no matter how you hold the phone. Unlock this feature so that the G-sensor can control the image rotation again. Also make sure that the Settings → Screen → Autoturn screen has a switch in the active position.

If automatic rotation doesn't work even after unlocking, it may require calibration of the sensors. Xiaomi's engineering menu has tests to check the accelerometer. You can get there by typing a special code in the "ringer" (for example, ##6484## for the CIT engineering menu), but you should do this with caution. Incorrect calibration can lead to the phone reacting to tilts incorrectly in all applications.

Special Opportunities and Color Inversion

There's a feature in the Android special features section that visually changes the colors on the screen, making light areas darker and vice versa. Although this is technically called "color inversion," some users mistakenly refer to it as mirror mode because of a radical change in visual perception, which is primarily designed for people with visual impairments or to reduce eye strain during the dark.

To activate this feature, follow the Settings → Advanced Settings → Special Features → Visual. Here you can find the Color Inversion item. It's important not to confuse it with Neutral Colors or Night Mode, which only mutes the blue gamut. Full inversion makes the interface look like photo negative, which can be useful for checking broken pixels or creating specific content.

Using color inversions affects power consumption, especially on AMOLED screens, where black means off the pixel. However, with a full inversion of the interface, which is light by default, the number of white pixels burning will increase, which can speed up battery discharge.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use color inversion mode continuously unless medically necessary. Prolonged exposure to negative mode can cause headaches and disorientation when switching to normal screens.

Comparison of display and translation methods

To help you understand the differences between the features described above, we have compiled a comparative table that will help you quickly determine what kind of mirror mode you need in your situation and what requirements it imposes on the device.

As you can see from the table, most functions are software-based and don't require any additional hardware, except for the image translation, where you need a signal receiver, and understanding this difference saves time when you find the right setting in the confusing MIUI menu.

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Use Do Not Disturb mode before launching the screen broadcast so that personal notifications don’t appear on the big screen in front of the audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Setting up mirror mode is a balance between personal comfort when shooting and the correct perception of the image by others.