When filming ourselves with the front camera of a smartphone Xiaomi, we often encounter an unpleasant surprise: the resulting frame looks unnatural. This is because the camera defaults to mirroring the image, simulating the view in a mirror, but saving the file as others see it. As a result, the text on clothing is read backwards, and the usual asymmetry of the face seems alien. Fortunately, the built-in shell tools MIUI and HyperOS allow you to fix this defect in a couple of seconds without installing unnecessary software.
In this article we will analyze in detail how to mirror a photo right in the gallery of your device, and also consider alternative methods through popular editors. You'll learn where exactly the right button is hidden, how to avoid loss of quality when saving, and why sometimes it's better to set up the camera in advance than to edit pictures after the fact. The instructions are suitable for most modern models of the brand, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Mi.
Why the front camera distorts the image
The problem of mirror reflection lies in the peculiarities of human perception and the logic of the software algorithms. When you look into a regular mirror, you see your reflection with your right hand on the right. The front camera of the smartphone by default shows exactly this picture on the preview screen, so that it is convenient for you to pose and frame the photo. However, when saving, many algorithms automatically “flip” the frame, bringing it to the form in which other people see you.
For many users, such a “realistic” view comes as a shock, since we are accustomed to our mirror image. A person's face is not perfectly symmetrical, and when we see it upside down, the brain interprets this as something wrong or ugly. That is why this function image reflections is one of the most popular in mobile photography. Understanding this mechanism helps you take a conscious approach to processing.
It is worth noting that in different firmware versions MIUI camera behavior may differ. In some updates, the developers added a “Mirror Selfie” switch directly to the camera settings, which changes the logic for saving the file. If you don't have this option or it doesn't work correctly, manual editing is the only reliable solution.
⚠️ Warning: If you save the same file multiple times and then edit it, there may be a gradual degradation in image quality due to JPEG re-compression. Try to edit the source, and not an already saved copy.
Before you start mass editing, check your camera settings: sometimes the "Mirror Selfie" option is already enabled, but it only works for future photos, without affecting old photos.
Method 1: Built-in MIUI Gallery editor
The fastest and most effective way to correct a photo is to use the standard "Gallery" application, which is preinstalled on all smartphones Xiaomi. The developers have built a powerful editor directly into the album viewing interface, so there is no need to download additional apps. This method works stably on all current versions of the shell, including the latest HyperOS.
The editing process is intuitive and takes less than a minute. You do not need to have designer skills, since the flip function is located on the main tool screen. The system automatically creates a copy of the file, leaving the original untouched, which allows you to roll back changes at any time. This is especially convenient if you are in doubt which option looks better.
To get started, follow these steps:
- 📸 Open the Gallery application and select the desired image from the Camera or Selfie album.
- ✂️ Click on the "Edit" button (pencil icon or sliders), usually located at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔄 Find the Crop tool and select the icon with two triangles or arrows responsible for reflection.
- 💾 Click "Save" to commit changes or create a copy.
The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware. If you don't find the flip button in the Crop section, look for it in the Filters or Tools menu, where it may be labeled Flip Horizontal. In some older versions MIUI this function was hidden in an additional menu called up by swiping to the right.
Method 2: Using the Google Photos application
If the standard gallery for some reason does not suit you or has been removed, the application Google Photosis an excellent alternative. It comes pre-installed on most certified Android devices and receives regular updates from the search giant. The tools of this application also make it easy to take horizontal reflection photos.
The main advantage of Google Photos is its cross-platform and cloud synchronization. If you edit a photo here, the changes may be applied to your other devices linked to the same Google account. This is convenient for those who process media files immediately after shooting, without wanting to switch between different apps.
The algorithm of actions in Google Photos is as follows:
- Launch the application and open the desired photo.
- In the bottom menu, click the "Edit" button.
- Go to the tab "Crop" (first icon on the left).
- Click on the icon with two triangles facing each other to flip the image.
- Confirm the action with the "Save a copy" button.
It is important to note that Google Photos by default saves the edited file as a copy, without overwriting the original. This protects the source material from accidental damage. However, if storage space is limited, you should periodically check the folder with copies and delete unsuccessful options. The function works equally well on both old Redmi Noteand new flagships.
Third-party applications for advanced editing
Sometimes the built-in tools are not enough, especially if you plan on complex processing: applying filters, retouching skin or adding text. In such cases, specialized photo editors from the store come to the rescue. They offer more flexible settings and often have separate buttons for instantly flipping the image. Google Play. They offer more flexible settings and often have separate buttons for instantly flipping the image.
Popular solutions such as Snapseed, PicsArt or Adobe Lightroomprovide professional tools. In Snapseed, for example, the function is located in the "Tools" -> "Rotate" menu. Here you can not only mirror the photo, but also rotate it 90 degrees, which is important for pictures taken with the wrong sensor orientation.
The use of third-party software has its own characteristics:
- 🎨 The presence of advanced filters and effects to improve the quality of selfies.
- ⚙️ Possibility of batch processing of several pictures at the same time (in paid versions).
- 📉 The risk of reduced quality when saving due to aggressive compression in free versions of applications.
Why can the quality drop?
When saving in third-party applications, the JPEG compression algorithm is often used with default parameters, which may be worse than that of the Xiaomi system gallery. For maximum quality, select PNG format or maximum JPEG quality in the export settings.
Before installing a new editor, make sure that it is compatible with your version of Android. Some old applications may not work correctly on new versions HyperOS, causing crashes or not saving changes. Always check reviews and the date of the last developer update.
Setting up a camera for automatic mirroring
The most correct approach is not to correct errors after the fact, but to set up the camera so that it immediately takes the desired pictures. In modern firmware Xiaomi a long-awaited option has appeared that allows you to save selfies exactly as you see them on the preview screen. This saves time and eliminates the need to open the editor after each photo.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the Camera application settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the model, but usually it looks like this: open the camera, click on the three bars in the corner of the screen, select “Settings” and find the option “Mirror selfie” or “Save as in viewfinder”. By activating this switch, you will change the logic of the front module.
Comparison of saving options:
| Parameter | Default (Off) | Mirror selfie (On) |
|---|---|---|
| View screen | As in a mirror | As in a mirror |
| Saved file | As others see | As in a mirror |
| Text on clothing | Readable | Reflected |
| Face familiarity | Unusual | Familiar |
Keep in mind that enabling this option only affects new pictures. Photos taken before changing the settings will remain the same and will require manual editing using the methods described above. It is also worth remembering that for video recording this setting may work differently or not work at all, depending on the processor model.
⚠️ Attention: The camera settings interface may change with firmware updates. If you don't find the "Mirror Selfie" item, look for it in the "Advanced settings" section or update the Camera application through the GetApps store.
☑️ Checking the camera settings
Frequent problems and their solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties. For example, the save button may be inactive, or the photo may become blurry after flipping it. Most often, the problem lies in the lack of free memory on the internal drive. The system cannot create a new copy of the file if the space is completely occupied.
Another common situation is the absence of a rotation button in landscape orientation. In some versions of the interface, editing tools are locked when the phone is held horizontally, and only unlocked when held vertically. Try rotating the device if the toolbar is empty or the buttons are not clickable.
If the colors in your photo become dull after editing, check to see if you accidentally applied a filter. Sometimes when you click on adjacent icons in the editor MIUI the “Cinema” or “Bright” mode is automatically turned on, which changes the color rendition. Cancel this action before saving.
The main reason for unsuccessful editing is lack of memory space or accidental application of filters. Always check the preview before final saving.
Conclusion and recommendations
Mirroring a photo on a smartphone Xiaomi is a simple operation that significantly improves the perception of a selfie. Using the built-in gallery, you can achieve the perfect result in seconds, without resorting to complex manipulations. For those who want to automate the process, it is recommended to enable the appropriate setting in the camera application.
Remember that the perception of your own face is subjective. What seems “wrong” to you in a mirror image is normal to others. Experiment with both options to see which one looks more harmonious in a particular shot. Regular updates of the system ensure that the editing tools remain up-to-date and functional.
Is it possible to flip all the photos in an album at once?
Unfortunately, using standard means MIUI or Google Photos mass mirroring of all photos in an album with one button is not possible. Each photo must be processed separately. For batch processing, you will need specialized applications from the Play Market that support the Batch Edit function.
Will the quality of the photo deteriorate after the flip?
When using the built-in gallery Xiaomi the loss of quality is minimal and almost invisible to the eye, since An efficient compression algorithm is used. However, when resaving the same file multiple times, degradation can become noticeable. Always work with the original.
Why did the text on the T-shirt become unreadable?
This is a natural result of mirror reflection. If you flip the photo so that the face looks familiar, the text on the clothing will also be reflected. In order for the text to be read correctly and the face to be familiar, you need to either not flip the photo (get used to the new look of the face), or use complex retouching in Photoshop, which is difficult on a phone.
Where can I find the saved copy after editing?
Usually edited files are saved in the same "Camera" album, but with the mark "Edit" in the title or in a separate "Edited" folder inside the gallery. In Google Photos, the original and the copy are stored in the same place, but the copy has a more recent modification date.