Remove Duplicate Photos from iPhoto Library

When it comes to managing your photo library, removing duplicate photos is an essential step to ensure that your storage space isn't wasted and your photos are easily accessible. While the Photos app can detect duplicates while creating a new library, you'll need to use a workaround to remove them from your iCloud Photo Library.

How to Remove Duplicates from the iCloud Photo Library

Removing duplicates is crucial, and if you've ever wondered how to do it properly, today's article will show you how. Note that after updating to iOS 16, your iPhone will continually scan for duplicates, so duplicate images may show up over time and may not be available right when the update is installed.

Method 1: Using the Photos App

To remove duplicates using the Photos app, follow these steps:

* Create a new photo library and add all your photos to it.

* Tap Merge at the bottom of the interface.

* Individually tap the duplicates that you want to merge, or tap Select All at the top-left of the screen.

* In the Duplicates album, tap Select at the top of the screen.

You can also merge several sets of duplicates – or all the duplicates in your Photo Library – simultaneously by following these steps. This feature is especially useful if you have multiple copies of a photo with different resolutions or metadata.

Method 2: Deleting Duplicates

Alternatively, you can delete duplicates using the trash icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

* Tap Select at the top of the screen in the Duplicates album.

* Individually tap the duplicates that you want to delete, or tap Select All at the top-left of the screen.

How Merging Works

When merging duplicate photos, the Photos app will combine the best qualities from both photos into a single image. For example, if you have one copy of a photo with high resolution and a second copy with more metadata, the app will create a new image that combines the two. Even if you take two photos together that are very similar, Apple's merging feature will intelligently keep the highest detail and the most metadata, creating the best possible image.

Finding Duplicates

Finding duplicates is easy, since Apple has added a new Duplicates album under the 'Utilities' section of the Photos app. Simply tap the Albums tab and scroll down to find it. In iOS 16, however, that's no longer the case, because the Photos app will now automatically detect any duplicates in your library and collate them together for your inspection.

Removing duplicate photos from your iCloud Photo Library is a simple process that can help free up storage space and make your photos more easily accessible. By following these steps, you can use the Photos app to merge or delete duplicate photos, ensuring that your photo library is organized and clutter-free.

Remove duplicate photos from iphoto library