Invert Camera On iPhone To Fix Annoying Mirror Effect

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How to Invert Camera on iPhone Frequently Asked Questions

Whether I’m hopping on a quick FaceTime or recording a video for social media, I can’t do without my iPhone. But I used to get frustrated when the front camera mirrored everything.

At first, I had no idea the iPhone camera flipped my selfies after I took them. I thought what I saw on the screen was the final image. Turns out, it’s mirrored, and it changes once you snap the photo or record. So, I decided to learn how to invert camera on iPhone.

After a few awkward video calls and lots of testing, I finally figured out how to fix the inverted camera on my iPhone. I created this simple guide to help you do the same, whether you’re on FaceTime, Snapchat, Zoom, or Omegle. Plus, I’ll share several of my favorite tips on how to look good while talking online.

Why Does the iPhone Camera Flip My Face

how to do invert on iphone camera

Ever noticed your selfie looks weird after you take it, even if you are using an iPhone with the best camera? That’s because your device shows a mirrored view when you pose like looking in a mirror. But once you snap the photo, it saves the unflipped version. So, your shirt text may look backward in the preview, but normal in the final pic.

What you see: Mirrored

What you get: True-to-life image

Prefer the mirror-style view like I do, especially when filming? You’re in luck. There’s a simple way to keep that look, and I’m here to show you how to do invert on iPhone camera.

Inverting Camera on iPhone for Photos

how to change camera invert on iphone

Starting with iOS 14, you can choose to save mirrored selfies on your iPhone. Here's how to turn on that iPhone camera setting:

Step 1. Open Settings

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Camera

Step 3. Toggle ON Mirror Front Camera

This method doesn’t work for older iPhones (pre-iOS 14). Still, you can flip photos manually.

Manually Invert a Photo After Taking It

how to fix invert camera on iphone

If your selfie came out flipped and not how you expected, don’t get upset. You can manually fix it right in the Photos app using this simple smartphone photography tip. Here’s what to do:

Step 1. Open the Photos app and choose your image.

Step 2. Tap Edit in the upper right corner.

Step 3. Click the Crop & Rotate icon at the bottom.

Step 4. Hit the Flip icon (a triangle with arrows) in the top left corner.

Step 5. Click Done and marvel at your mirrored selfie.

Sometimes, it is particularly important to fix invert camera on iPhone, as such photos make facial asymmetry more noticeable.

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Want To Fix Asymmetry In Your Selfie?

Use the FixThePhoto Body Editor & Tune app to smooth out any facial asymmetry in just a few clicks. Whether it is natural or caused by camera distortion, our expert retouchers will take care of it. Besides, your first photo edit is free.

Invert Camera in FaceTime

At first, I had no clue this even happened. I do most of my video calls on FaceTime, and it shocked me that what looked normal to me was actually mirrored for the other person.

  • Your view: Mirrored (like a selfie)
  • Other person’s view: Non-mirrored (normal)

Don’t worry if your preview looks backwards. The person on the other end sees everything correctly. While FaceTime doesn’t let you flip the image during a call, here are some helpful tips on how to inverted camera on iPhone FaceTime.

Option 1: Use Control Center Camera effects (iOS 15+)

Step 1. Start a FaceTime call.

Step 2. Open Control Center.

Step 3. Tap Video Effects > Portrait or Center Stage

It doesn't actually change the flipped view, but it can help you adjust how you’re framed so you look more natural on the screen.

Option 2: Use third-party apps like EpocCam or Camo

Such apps let you use your iPhone as a webcam. Thus, you can decide if the picture is mirrored or stays as it is.

Pro tip: The mirrored preview on FaceTime can be tricky. Place a mirror behind your phone, and you’ll get a better idea of how you really look to others.

Invert Camera in Omegle

When I opened Omegle on Safari, the camera showed me in a flipped and stretched way. It was very confusing. If you get the same weird effect, don’t worry. Here’s how to fix inverted camera on iPhone.

Switch to another browser. For example, you can use Opera or Firefox. They sometimes handle Omegle's camera better and may not flip your image. It’s not guaranteed, but it could help.

Use a webcam app to pre-flip your camera. I personally recommend Camo by Reincubate. It lets you:

Pick which camera to use

Flip the camera horizontally before going to a browser

Adjust resolution and frame rate

Just connect your iPhone to your Mac and run Camo Studio to control the output. It works great for Omegle calls.

Switch to Mac instead. If any other option doesn’t suit you, open Omegle on your Mac:

Step 1. Open System Preferences > Camera

Step 2. Use QuickTime or a third-party app like ManyCam to flip your webcam before running Omegle.

Pro tip: If you only use your phone, you can still make it work. Record a video that’s already flipped, then play it back during Omegle using a mirroring app like Reflector.

Invert Camera in Snapchat

Snapchat works a little differently:

  • What you see on the screen is a mirrored preview.
  • When you take a photo or video, it also saves in that mirrored form unlike FaceTime

How to flip your selfie in Snapchat:

Step 1. After taking a photo or video, click the Edit icon

Step 2. Tap the Crop icon

Step 3. Use the Flip tool to correct orientation

You can also flip before taking the snap:

Step 1. Use the front camera

Step 2. Tap the Rotate Camera icon twice quickly

Pro tip: Want to get rid of double chin in your image? Take advantage of the FixThePhoto Body Editor & Tune app and get an improved photo in seconds.

Invert Camera in Zoom

In Zoom, you’re in charge of the mirror effect. To flip your video:

Step 1. Start the Zoom app

Step 2. Choose Settings > Meetings

Step 3. Toggle Mirror My Video ON or OFF depending on what you want

Pro tip: Enable it if you want to feel natural while speaking. If you’re presenting with text or visuals, it is better to disable it.

Invert Camera in Instagram Stories or Reels

When you record a video with the front camera on Instagram, it often looks mirrored. Luckily, you can change the inverted camera right in the app before sharing.

Step 1. Save your story or reel to your camera roll

Step 2. Open in InShot or Photos app

Step 3. Flip horizontally and re-upload

Pro tip: Want to remove eye bags before sharing your content? FixThePhoto Body Editor & Tune is a great tool to apply subtle and lifelike corrections.

Should I Use Mirrored or True Image?

After trying both options for calls, selfies, and videos, I’ve figured out when to use each one.
Mirrored True
Selfies for Instagram
✔️
Teaching/presenting
✔️
FaceTime
Doesn’t matter
✔️ Yes (what they see)
Omegle
Confusing
✔️
Text/logos in frame
✔️

How to Look Better in Selfies and Video Calls (Without Filters)

Here are some easy tricks I always use to fix camera issues on FaceTime, Snapchat, Omegle, and Zoom:

Use natural lighting. If possible, stand with your face to a window. Avoid strong backlight.

Keep the phone slightly above eye level. Thus, you can make your jawline more pronounced and steer clear of awkward chin angles.

Use a ring light, softbox or other iPhone camera accessories during evening calls.

Enable a portrait mode (FaceTime & Zoom). Thus, you can add a slight blur and make your face look fresh without additional skin smoothing.

Use the back camera whenever possible. It typically delivers sharper results, especially when it is set on a tripod.

Clean your camera lens before video calls. Even dust particles or fingerprints can spoil photo quality.

Tilt your head a bit instead of facing the camera directly. This way, your face will look symmetrical.

Take a few test shots before going live. Make sure to adjust lighting and angles before your video sessions using the dedicated app.

Smile while talking. It relaxes your face and makes you appear friendly.

Avoid harsh overhead lighting so as not to have unflattering shadows on the face.

Don’t use your laptop webcam if possible. iPhone’s front camera is better 9 times out of 10.

Final Thoughts

Once I learned how to change camera invert on iPhone, the quality of my photos, videos, and online meetings has improved greatly. If your camera looks mirrored on FaceTime, Omegle, or in photos, don’t worry. There’s an easy fix.

Photos:

Enable Mirror Front Camera in settings

Go manual and flip it in Photos > Edit

FaceTime:

Preview is mirrored, but you look OK to others

Use webcam apps for better control

Disable flip settings in the app

Omegle:

Safari restricts your options

Use third-party browsers or apps, e.g., Camo

Mac is more flexible than iPhone in this regard

FAQ

  • • How to do inverted camera on iPhone?

Open Settings, tap Camera, and switch on Mirror Front Camera. This way, your selfies won't flip after you take them.

  • • Why do my selfies look different after I take them?

The front camera shows a mirrored image to make it easier to frame your shot. But once you take the photo, your iPhone often saves the real (non-mirrored) version, which can look flipped. This is particularly noticeable when on FaceTime and other apps.

  • • How do I flip my image on FaceTime?

You can’t flip it directly in FaceTime. It mirrors your preview, but others see the real view. To change how you look, try using third-party apps like Camo or record through another camera app.

  • • How to change invert camera on Omegle using my iPhone?

The Omegle mobile site doesn’t have a flip option. To fix it, you can use Firefox, record a flipped video with InShot, or connect your iPhone to a computer and use Camo Studio to stream correctly.

  • • Can I flip a photo or video after I’ve taken it?

Yes, you can. When dealing with photos, open Photos, click Edit, then Crop, and tap the Flip icon in the top left corner. For videos, you need to use InShot, CapCut, and similar apps to flip them horizontally.

  • • Can I use an inverted filter on iPhone camera?

iPhone doesn’t have a built-in mirror filter. You can try Snapchat or TikTok, which have filters that flip your image.

  • • Why does my face seem different on iPhone camera?

Because the phone saves photos the way others see you, not how you see yourself in a mirror. To fix this, turn on Mirror Front Camera in your iPhone Settings.

Tata Rossi

Tech Trends Journalist

Tata Rossi is a photographer-advisor, key contributor at FixThePhoto, sharing her expertise about photography and 55% of photos you see at our blog are taken by her. She is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is the main so-called teacher in our team, conducting courses on photography and editing for beginners and anyone interested.

Read Tata's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

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