How to delete duplicate photos on iPhone and tips to avoid them: Duplicate photos on your iPhone can be a real hassle; they not only quickly consume your storage space but can also make it difficult to find the images you're looking for in your library.
Fortunately, it's possible to identify and delete duplicate photos on your iPhone. In this guide, we will explain all the methods for deleting duplicate photos on iPhone and iPad, regardless of the version of iOS or iPadOS, to reclaim your storage space. Stay with us.
How to find and delete duplicate photos on iPhone using the Photos app
Starting with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the Photos app from Apple offers a built-in tool to find and merge duplicate photos on your iPhone and iPad. Although these steps are specific to iOS 18, the process for merging duplicate photos is the same for iOS 16 and iOS 17. Let’s check them out:
Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Albums tab (only on versions prior to iOS/iPadOS 18).
Scroll down and tap on Duplicates under Utilities.
Select a duplicate photo from the Photos app on your iPhone.
Preview the duplicates and tap Merge, then press Merge X Copies to confirm merging the photos.
Merging duplicate photos in the Photos app on iPhone
If you want to merge multiple photos at once, tap Select in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap Select All to choose all photos and click Merge (X Items) at the bottom.
Press Merge X Copies to confirm the action and delete the duplicate photos.
How to delete duplicate photos on iPhone using CleanMyPhone
While the Photos app provides a way to merge duplicate photos, it cannot identify similar photos with slight differences on devices running iOS 16 and later. If you're looking for a better way to delete duplicate photos, a third-party app like CleanMyPhone can be a helpful option.
Here’s how to use CleanMyPhone to delete duplicate photos on your iPhone and iPad:
Download the CleanMyPhone app from the App Store.
Open CleanMyPhone once it’s installed on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Organize tab from the toolbar at the bottom.
Choose whether you want to scan photos taken last week, last month, or set a custom filter.
Tap Scan and wait for CleanMyPhone to analyze your photos.
Next, select a category.
Find duplicate photos on iPhone using CleanMyPhone
Tap Similar from the top and select a group of duplicate photos to preview.
Swipe horizontally through the duplicate photos to view them on a larger panel.
Tap the circle at the bottom to select a photo, and click the X button or swipe down.
Select similar photos to delete from the CleanMyPhone app on iPhone.
Once you’ve selected all duplicate photos, press Clean, then tap Delete.
Delete selected duplicate photos using CleanMyPhone on iPhone.
Tips to avoid duplicate photos on iPhone.
Organize your photos into albums: You can organize photos related to events, trips, or specific themes into albums, making it easier to spot duplicate photos on your iPhone and iPad.
Disable Burst Mode: Burst mode captures multiple shots in quick succession, which can lead to duplicate images. If you don’t use this feature, consider turning it off to prevent duplicates.
Delete original photos after editing: Once you edit your photos, make it a habit to delete the originals—unless you really need them later—to avoid saving identical copies of a single image on your iPhone and iPad.
Turn off Auto HDR: On iPhone models older than iPhone 13, the Auto HDR feature provides an option to get both HDR and non-HDR copies of the same photo. You can disable this feature on your iPhone by turning off Auto HDR or keeping the regular photo under Settings > Camera.
Conclusion
Deleting duplicate photos on your iPhone and iPad offers a simple yet effective way to keep your photo library organized and clutter-free. This not only makes it easier to find your photos but also helps free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad for the apps you love, allowing you to capture more photos and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to use third-party apps to manage my photos?
Generally, it is safe to use reputable third-party apps from the App Store, but it’s advisable to read reviews and check the permissions the app requires before installation.
2. Can I manually delete duplicate photos?
Yes, you can manually delete duplicate photos easily through the Photos app on your iPhone; simply open the Photos app, find the duplicate photos, and delete them individually.
3. Is there an app that can help me find and delete duplicate photos?
Yes, there are several third-party apps available on the App Store that can help you find and delete duplicate photos.
4. Will deleting duplicate photos affect my iCloud storage?
Deleting duplicate photos from your iPhone will not directly affect your iCloud storage unless you have iCloud Photos enabled. In that case, changes made on your iPhone will sync with iCloud, potentially freeing up space there as well.
5. How can I prevent photo duplication in the future?
To prevent photo duplication, you can:
Use apps that automatically organize your photos.
Regularly review and delete photos.
Be cautious when importing photos from other devices or sources.
6. Should I use a third-party app to manage duplicate photos?
Using a third-party app can be more convenient for finding and deleting duplicate photos rather than doing it manually, as these apps can often identify duplicates more accurately and offer bulk deletion options.
7. Will deleting photos from my iPhone also delete them from iCloud?
If you have iCloud Photos enabled, deleting a photo from your iPhone will also delete it from iCloud and vice versa, as long as the photo is part of your iCloud Photo Library.
8. Can I recover deleted photos if I accidentally delete duplicate copies?
Yes, if you accidentally delete a photo, you can recover it within 30 days from the "Recently Deleted" album in the Photos app. After 30 days, the photos are permanently deleted.
9. How do I delete all photos on iPhone at once?
To delete all photos at once, go to the Photos app, select the photos you want to delete (or use the "Select All" option), then tap the trash can icon. Confirm the deletion to remove them permanently.
