How to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone and iPad

If you're like most people, you probably take hundreds of photos with your iPhone or iPad each year. Over time, it's easy to accumulate duplicate photos, which can be frustrating when you're trying to find a specific image or memory. Fortunately, Apple has made it easier to remove duplicate photos from your device with the latest update.

To get started, open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad and tap 'Albums' in the top left corner to access the main screen. From here, you can use one of two methods to merge duplicate photos without deleting them.

Method 1: Manual Selection

The first method involves manually selecting each duplicate photo and merging them. This option is time-consuming but allows you to choose which images to keep and which to remove. To do this, open the Photos app and select a photo album. Scroll through the images until you find a duplicate, then tap 'Select' in the top right corner. Choose multiple photos by tapping each one, then tap 'Merge Duplicates' at the bottom of the screen.

Method 2: Auto-Merge

The second method uses Apple's built-in feature to auto-merge duplicate photos. This option is faster but may not be suitable for those concerned about data privacy. To use this method, open the Photos app and select a photo album. Tap 'Albums' in the top left corner, then tap 'Edit' at the bottom of the screen. Select multiple photos by tapping each one, then tap 'Merge Duplicates' at the bottom of the screen.

What's New in Photos?

In addition to removing duplicate photos, Apple has made several other updates to the Photos app in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. These include the ability to lock Hidden and Recently Deleted albums with Face ID, Touch ID, or your iPhone's passcode; new memory types; and the ability to sort the People album alphabetically.

Removing duplicate photos from your iPhone or iPad is easier than ever with Apple's latest update. Whether you prefer a manual approach or opt for auto-merge, these methods allow you to trim down the size of your photo library without losing any images. So go ahead and give it a try – your Photos app will thank you!

Apple photos remove duplicates