Many users hoped the iPhone 17 would add a screen on the back camera, but it didn’t happen. There’s still no small display to show what the rear lens is capturing. So if you love taking sharp, creative selfies with the back camera, it’s still tricky to frame yourself right.
Luckily, there are a few easy ways to get a rear selfie screen on the iPhone 17. You can:
- Attach a magnetic rear selfie screen to your iPhone 1
- Clip a back camera selfie mirror
- Use the Apple Watch as an external rear selfie screen
- Turn your MacBook into a monitor screen for iPhone 17 rear selfies
Let’s check how each method works and find the one that fits you best.
1. Attach a magnetic rear selfie screen to the iPhone 17
The best way to get a rear selfie screen on iPhone 17 is to use a magnetic selfie monitor.
It magnetically attaches to the back of your phone and works just like the small built-in screen many users once expected from the iPhone 17.
The difference is that these iPhone back camera monitors offer a larger and brighter display. They give you a clear real-time preview from the rear lens, helping you adjust your angle and lighting before recording.
For example, the SYNCO XView M4 is a magnetic rear selfie screen designed for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Max. It connects instantly - no extra adapters or Wi-Fi needed - and shows your rear camera view in real time. With one click, you can mirror the image or control the camera remotely, making rear selfies easier and more fun than ever.
Video: How to use the SYNCO XView M4 as a rear selfie screen on iPhone 17 Pro
Watch this video to see how the SYNCO XView M4 magnetic monitor helps you take perfect back camera selfies on the iPhone 17 Pro. See how it attaches, mirrors your shot in real time, and makes it easy to frame every selfie or video.
Video made by Royce Adkins
2. Clip a back camera selfie mirror to your iPhone 17
If you want an easy and low-cost way to get a rear selfie screen on iPhone 17, a clip-on mirror is a simple solution.
Just attach the small mirror over the back camera lens. It reflects your image so you can see yourself while taking selfies.
The downside is that the mirror only shows a reflection, not the real view from the camera. The image can be reversed, small, and hard to frame accurately. Compared to a selfie monitor like the SYNCO XView M4, it doesn’t provide a true preview or full brightness, but it works well for quick, casual shots.
3. Use the Apple Watch as an external iPhone 17 rear selfie screen
If you have an Apple Watch, it can act as a handy external screen for your iPhone 17 rear camera. It will allow you to preview what your phone’s back camera sees so you can adjust your pose and take the photo directly from the watch.
Here’s how to use the Apple Watch as a rear selfie screen on iPhone 17:
1️⃣ Open the Camera Remote app on your watch.
2️⃣ Tap the three-dot icon in the bottom right corner to choose options:
- Turn on a 3-second timer
- Switch between rear and front cameras
- Turn flash on, off, or auto
- Turn Live Photo on, off, or auto
3️⃣ Rotate the Digital Crown to zoom in or out.
4️⃣ Tap the shutter button, pinch with two fingers, or use Siri to take a photo.
5️⃣ Long-press the shutter button to start recording video.
The limitation is that the Apple Watch screen is very small, so it’s not ideal for precise framing or professional-quality videos.
You also need to keep the watch and iPhone 17 within about 10 meters for a stable Bluetooth connection. In comparison, a professional selfie monitor like the SYNCO XView M4 can maintain a stable connection up to 50 meters, giving you much more flexibility when shooting.
4. Turn your MacBook into a monitor screen for iPhone 17 back camera selfies
If you have a MacBook, you can use Apple’s Continuity Camera to turn it into a monitor for your iPhone 17 rear camera. This lets you see your shots on a bigger screen while using the back camera.
Here’s how to turn the MacBook into a rear selfie screen for iPhone 17:
1️⃣ On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Continuity Camera and turn it on.
2️⃣ Open Photo Booth or any recording app on your MacBook.
3️⃣ In the MacBook menu bar, click Camera and select iPhone camera.
4️⃣ Your iPhone rear camera view will appear live on the MacBook screen.
The limitation is that your iPhone must stay close to the MacBook with a stable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. It works well for desktop or studio shots, but it’s not as portable as a dedicated monitor, like the M4 from SYNCO iPhone selfie monitor suppliers we mentioned in the first method.