Which Problem Are You Trying to Fix?
- The text in the photo reads backwards → Flip horizontally
- The whole photo is upside down → Flip vertically
- The photo does not match how you framed the shot → Mirror image
- You need the photo turned on its side → That is rotation, not flipping. See the comparison table.
Flip, Mirror, or Rotate: Choose the Right Edit
A horizontal flip swaps the left and right sides, which can correct backwards text or a mirrored selfie. A vertical flip swaps top and bottom, turning the image upside down. Rotation turns the whole image around its center, usually by 90 degrees. If a photo is sideways, rotating it is the fix; if lettering reads backwards, use a horizontal flip. The preview lets you check the result before you download it.
Steps for Six Popular Editors
How to Flip an Image on iPhone or iPad
For a quick correction to a mirrored selfie, Photos is already on your device. Its flip control is in the crop tools, beside the rotate controls, so make sure you choose Flip rather than Rotate.
- Open the photo in Photos.
- Tap Edit, then tap the Crop button.
- Tap the Flip button to mirror the photo left to right.
- Tap Done to save the edit in Photos.
Note: Photos' Flip control mirrors horizontally. It does not turn the picture upside down; choose Vertical in the browser tool for that.
How to Flip an Image on Android
There is no single Gallery app shared by every Android phone. Samsung Gallery, Google Photos, and manufacturer photo apps can use different menus, so look for a Flip or Mirror action rather than following one brand's exact button path.
- Open the photo in your phone's Gallery or Photos app.
- Tap Edit, then look in Crop, Transform, or the overflow menu for Flip or Mirror.
- Choose Horizontal or Vertical if the editor offers both, then save a copy.
- If your Gallery app has no Flip or Mirror control, use the free browser tool at the top of this page.
Note: Android gallery apps differ by manufacturer and model, so the menu names and available controls vary. You should not need to install another editor just to flip one image.
How to Flip an Image on Windows
Microsoft Photos offers horizontal and vertical flip controls in its crop tools. If the editor opens in a different layout on your version of Windows, the same controls are grouped with crop and rotate options.
- Open the image in Microsoft Photos.
- Select Edit image, then open the Crop panel.
- Choose the horizontal or vertical Flip control.
- Save a copy so the original stays unchanged.
Note: Microsoft Photos also includes rotate controls. A 90-degree turn changes the orientation; Flip mirrors the image. Check the preview before saving.
How to Flip an Image on Mac
Preview is enough for a one-off flip and does not require opening a full design editor. Choose the axis that matches the problem: horizontal for reversed left and right, vertical for an upside-down result.
- Open the image in Preview.
- Choose Tools from the menu bar.
- Choose Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical.
- Choose File → Export to make a separate copy, or save if you want to replace the current file.
Note: Preview can flip an image along either axis. Export a copy when you want to preserve the original file.
How to Flip an Image in Photoshop
Photoshop can flip a selected layer or selection, or the whole canvas. Decide which result you need before using the menu: a layer transform leaves the other layers in place, while Flip Canvas affects the entire document.
- Select the layer or selection you want to flip.
- Choose Edit → Transform.
- Choose Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical, then commit the transform.
- Export a copy when you are ready to save the result.
Note: Edit → Transform affects the selected layer or selection. To flip the entire document, choose Image → Image Rotation → Flip Canvas Horizontal or Flip Canvas Vertical.
How to Flip an Image in Canva
Canva is useful when the image is already part of a poster, presentation, or social design. Select the image itself before flipping; the command changes that element in the design rather than creating a separate image file immediately.
- Open a design and select the image element on the canvas.
- Click Flip in the toolbar above the editor.
- Choose Flip horizontal or Flip vertical.
- Download the design when you are ready to use the result as an image file.
Note: Canva flips the selected design element. If you need a standalone flipped image without adding it to a design, use the browser tool above.
Supported Image Formats and Downloads
The browser tool accepts JPG/JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, AVIF, HEIC/HEIF, BMP, and TIFF files. JPG and WebP downloads keep their format; other still-image formats download as PNG. Animated GIFs remain animated, although GIF color palettes can shift slightly during re-encoding. Images are processed in your browser, not uploaded to our server. You can add up to 30 images, with a 20 MB limit per file. Keep your original if you want an untouched copy, then check the before-and-after preview before downloading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the text in my photo backwards?
The image was mirrored before you saw it. Common causes include front-camera selfies, photos of a printed photo or screen, scans, and screenshots of a mirrored video call. A horizontal flip reverses the left and right sides to correct it.
I rotated the photo, but the text is still backwards. Why?
Rotation turns the image around its center; it does not undo a mirror. If text reads backwards, use a horizontal flip.
Do I have to install an app to flip a photo?
No. The browser tool at the top of this page works on phones, tablets, and computers. Add the image, choose a direction, and download the result without installing an editor.
Why does my phone gallery not have a Flip option?
Built-in Android gallery apps vary by manufacturer. Some include a flip or mirror control and others do not. The browser tool works without installing another photo editor.
Can I flip a photo vertically on iPhone?
The Photos app's Flip control mirrors horizontally. For an upside-down result, choose Vertical in the browser tool at the top of this page.
Can I flip an iPhone HEIC photo?
Yes. HEIC and HEIF images are supported in the browser tool. The flipped result downloads as PNG.
How do I undo a flip?
Flip the image a second time in the same direction. That returns it to its original orientation.
Last updated: September 26, 2026