How to Take Mirrored Selfies on iPhone

Mirrored selfies are the ones that look like what you see in a mirror — your face appears the way you’re used to seeing it, not flipped like a standard photo. On iPhone, the Camera app automatically flips front-facing photos so they match what others see, which can feel odd. This guide shows you how to capture a true mirrored selfie using built-in settings and a simple editing trick, no extra apps needed.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (the steps work on all recent models).
• The built-in Camera and Photos apps.
• A steady hand or a tripod if you want a sharp shot.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Camera app. Swipe left on the lock screen or tap the Camera icon. Make sure you’re in Photo mode (the default).
2. Switch to the front camera. Tap the circular arrow icon at the bottom right (or bottom center on older models). Your screen now shows your face.
3. Enable Mirror Front Camera (iOS 14 and later). Go to Settings > Camera. Scroll down to the Composition section and toggle on Mirror Front Camera. This makes the camera store the photo exactly as you see it in the viewfinder — that is, mirrored.
4. Take the photo. Frame your shot and press the shutter button (the white circle at the bottom). If you’re using an iPhone with Face ID, you can also press either volume button.
5. Check the result. Open the Photos app. The image should look like your mirror reflection. If you’re on an older iOS (13 or earlier), skip to the editing method below.

For iOS 13 and earlier, or if you prefer to edit after the fact:

6. Take a normal selfie (without the mirror setting). It will be flipped horizontally.
7. Open the photo in Photos. Tap the photo to view it, then tap Edit in the top right.
8. Tap the crop icon (the square with arrows) at the bottom.
9. Tap the flip icon (two triangles pointing left and right) in the top left. This mirrors the image horizontally.
10. Tap Done to save. The photo is now mirrored.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to turn on the mirror setting before shooting. The setting only applies to new photos, not existing ones.
• Confusing flip with rotate. The flip icon flips horizontally; the rotate icon turns the image 90 degrees. Using the wrong one will make your photo sideways.
• Expecting the viewfinder to change. When Mirror Front Camera is on, the viewfinder already shows the mirrored image. Some people think it’s broken because it looks different from before.
• Not saving after editing. If you exit the edit screen without tapping Done, your changes are discarded.

Tips

• Use the timer. Set a 3-second timer to avoid shaking when you tap the shutter.
• Clean your lens. A smudged front lens makes photos look hazy. Wipe it gently with a microfiber cloth.
• Use natural light. Face a window for even, flattering light. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows.
• Try Live Photo. If you want a moving memory, keep Live Photo on — the mirror setting works with it too.
• For group selfies, use the wide-angle mode. On iPhone 11 and later, tap the small arrow at the top of the viewfinder to zoom out and fit more people.

Troubleshooting

• Mirror Front Camera option is missing. This setting requires iOS 14 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to update. If you’re already on iOS 14+, restart your iPhone or check that you’re looking in the right section (under Camera, not Photos).
• The photo is still flipped after enabling the setting. Sometimes the setting doesn’t apply if you’re using a third-party camera app. Use the built-in Camera app. Also, verify the toggle is actually green.
• Editing doesn’t show the flip icon. Make sure you’re in the crop tool, not the filters or adjustments tab. The flip icon is at the top left of the crop interface.
• Mirrored photo looks blurry when zoomed. That’s normal — mirroring doesn’t change resolution, but if you crop heavily, quality drops. Try to compose the shot well in the first place.
• Can’t find the photo after editing. It’s saved in the same place, usually in your Recents album. If you edited a shared photo, the original might be in the Shared album, and edits are saved as a new photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my selfies flipped by default?

Apple intentionally saves front-camera photos as others see you, not as you see yourself in the mirror. This is to avoid confusion when sharing, since most people expect photos to match reality.

Does the mirror setting affect video?

No, the Mirror Front Camera setting only affects still photos. Videos recorded with the front camera are always saved unmirrored. To mirror a video, you’d need a third-party editor.

Will mirrored selfies look weird to others?

They will look like your mirror image, which is what you’re used to. Others may notice a slight difference because they usually see you unmirrored, but it’s rarely an issue.

Can I mirror a selfie taken before I enabled the setting?

Yes. Open the photo in Photos, tap Edit, then the crop icon, then the flip icon. This works for any photo, regardless of when it was taken.

Does mirroring reduce photo quality?

No. Mirroring simply reverses the image horizontally; it doesn’t change resolution or sharpness. The file size stays the same.

Is there a way to make the front camera always mirror without going to Settings?

Not directly. You can add a Shortcut to toggle the setting, but the simplest is to leave Mirror Front Camera on permanently if you prefer that look.

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