iPhotos

How do I delete duplicate photos from my library?


MacBook Pro 15", OS X 10.11

Posted on Mar 22, 2020 5:43 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 12:09 AM

Photos for Mac does not have a tool to search for duplicate photos. It is searching for possible duplicates, when you import photos, so there should be no duplicates, unless you are importing edited versions of the same photo.

I am using the following duplicate detectors, when I suspect duplicate photos, but both are not free:

  • PowerPhotos: It can find duplicates based on the file attributes and the capture date. But it cannot find similar photos with different dates or filenames.
  • Photo Sweeper: It can find duplicates, if the photos have been renamed, downsized , or adjustments applied.


Some duplicate finders can damage the library. Do not use an application, that is deleting the duplicates directly from the library without using the Photos interface. Using third-party apps to remove duplicate photos might damage your Photos for macOS library - Apple Support



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 23, 2020 12:09 AM in response to lynni3001

Photos for Mac does not have a tool to search for duplicate photos. It is searching for possible duplicates, when you import photos, so there should be no duplicates, unless you are importing edited versions of the same photo.

I am using the following duplicate detectors, when I suspect duplicate photos, but both are not free:

  • PowerPhotos: It can find duplicates based on the file attributes and the capture date. But it cannot find similar photos with different dates or filenames.
  • Photo Sweeper: It can find duplicates, if the photos have been renamed, downsized , or adjustments applied.


Some duplicate finders can damage the library. Do not use an application, that is deleting the duplicates directly from the library without using the Photos interface. Using third-party apps to remove duplicate photos might damage your Photos for macOS library - Apple Support



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