To turn the iPhone camera mirror effect on or off, open Settings > Apps > Camera and switch Mirror Front Camera on or off. On iOS 17 and earlier, go to Settings > Camera instead. With the setting on, selfies save exactly as you saw them in the preview, like looking in a mirror. With it off, they save flipped, the way other people see you.
The setting only affects the front (selfie) camera and only applies to new photos. Here’s how it works, why selfies look “wrong,” and how to flip photos you’ve already taken.
How to turn Mirror Front Camera on or off
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Camera. (On iOS 17 or earlier, tap Camera directly in Settings.)
- Under Composition, turn Mirror Front Camera on (green) or off.
- Open the Camera app and take a selfie to check the result.
You can also search for “mirror” in the Settings search bar to jump straight to it. On iPhone XS, XR, and older models running iOS 14 or later, the switch may be labeled Mirror Front Photos.
What the mirror setting changes
| Mirror Front Camera on | Mirror Front Camera off (default) | |
|---|---|---|
| Saved selfie | Matches the preview you saw | Flipped left to right from the preview |
| Text on your shirt or a sign | Appears backward | Reads correctly |
| How it looks to you | Like your reflection in a mirror | How others see you, which can look slightly “off” |
The Camera preview is always mirrored, whichever option you choose, because that’s easier to line up. The setting only controls how the photo is saved.
Why selfies look different from the preview
You’re used to seeing your face in a mirror, so a non-mirrored photo can feel strange. Your part, a mole, or an asymmetrical smile will appear on the opposite side. Neither version is wrong. Turn mirroring on if you prefer the version you’re used to, or leave it off if you want text and backgrounds to read correctly.
How to flip a photo you already took
- Open the photo in the Photos app and tap Edit (the sliders icon on iOS 18 and later).
- Tap Crop.
- Tap the Flip icon (a triangle with arrows) in the top-left corner.
- Tap Done.
You can undo this at any time. Open the photo, tap Edit, and choose Revert.
Does it work for videos and other apps?
- Videos. On recent iPhones and iOS versions, Mirror Front Camera also applies to front-camera videos. On older models, it may only apply to photos.
- Third-party apps. Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and FaceTime use their own camera settings, so this switch may not affect them. Check each app’s settings, or flip the photo in the app’s editor.
- Rear camera. The back camera never mirrors, and there’s no setting to make it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the text in my selfie backward?
Mirror Front Camera is on. Turn it off in Camera settings, or flip the photo in Photos with Edit > Crop > Flip.
Why don’t I see Mirror Front Camera in Settings?
The option needs iOS 14 or later. Update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update, then check again.
Is Mirror Front Camera on by default?
No. By default, iPhone saves selfies unmirrored, the way other people see you.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.