# Why the NotchStar mirror preview is flipped

> The NotchStar mirror flips the picture like a real mirror, so moving left looks like moving left. There is no switch, and only the preview is affected.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-image-flipped/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

The NotchStar mirror preview is flipped on purpose, so it behaves like the mirror you use at home. Move your hand left and the hand in the preview moves left. NotchStar has no setting to turn this off.

## What the flip changes

It changes only the preview in the notch. NotchStar does not touch your camera feed, your call app or the video other people receive. How your call app shows you to others is decided inside that app.

## Why you might see text backwards

If you hold up a book or a name badge, the words look reversed in the preview. That is normal for any mirror. To read how it looks to others, check the self view setting inside your call app, or look at a test recording made there.

## If you want an unflipped preview

The mirror cannot do this. The camera light, framing and lighting checks work the same either way. For an unflipped view, use the preview inside your call app, or a camera app that offers that option.

## Related

See [how to check framing before a call](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-framing-before-a-video-call-notch/) and the [camera check guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/check-mac-camera-before-video-call/). The tool is described on the [Mirror page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/mirror/).

## Keep reading.

- [A quick mirror before every call](https://www.notchstar.com/features/mirror/): Check how you look before a call with a live, mirrored camera preview in the notch. The camera runs only while the Mirror tab is open.
- [How to check your framing before a video call with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-framing-before-a-video-call-notch/): Hover over the notch, pick Mirror and check your framing, lighting and background in two seconds before you join a call. The camera stops when you leave.
- [Check your Mac camera before a video call](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/check-mac-camera-before-video-call/): Preview your camera, check permissions and confirm the camera selected in your meeting app. Use a mirror preview without mistaking it for a recording test.
- [Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-which-camera/): The NotchStar mirror uses the default camera macOS picks. There is no camera picker in the app, so choose the camera in macOS or unplug the one you do not want.

## More in Mirror.

- [How to allow camera access for the NotchStar mirror](https://www.notchstar.com/help/allow-camera-access-notchstar-mirror/): Open the Mirror tab and click Allow when macOS asks for the camera. NotchStar only shows a live preview and never records. Steps if you missed it.
- [NotchStar mirror says it needs camera access: how to fix it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-permission-denied/): If the Mirror tab asks for camera access after you clicked Don't Allow, turn NotchStar on under Privacy & Security, Camera, then reopen the tab.
- [Does the NotchStar mirror record video or take photos?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-notchstar-mirror-record-video/): No. The NotchStar mirror is a live preview only. It does not record, save, send or photograph anything, and the camera stops when you leave the tab.
- [How to check your framing before a video call with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-framing-before-a-video-call-notch/): Hover over the notch, pick Mirror and check your framing, lighting and background in two seconds before you join a call. The camera stops when you leave.
- [When is the camera light on with the NotchStar mirror?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-light/): The green camera light comes on when the NotchStar Mirror tab is open on screen and goes off when you switch tabs or close the notch.
- [Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-which-camera/): The NotchStar mirror uses the default camera macOS picks. There is no camera picker in the app, so choose the camera in macOS or unplug the one you do not want.