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A lot of doublets created in Photos

I am using iMac 27 2020 with Big Sur and have transformed from a Windows 10 PC. My photos have first been moved from the PC to iCloud and then copied to Albums in the iMac. I have then deleted these photos from iCloud.

When I look in Libraries/All photos, a huge number of doublets have been created and in many cases there are 3-4 of each photo. Suddenly I have more than 14000 photos instead of 5000. Why does this happen? What can I do?

To delete the doublets is a big job? Are there apps which could be used to the make the job?

Thanks!


iMac 27″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 8:52 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 9:38 AM

I can't tell you why you have duplicates because it will depend on the detail of how you transferred from windows.


First - is your mac synced with icloud photos. If so, your deletions in iCloud will soon be synced to your mac, and they will be deleted on the mac as well. If you are synced with iCloud you need to undo the delete now. (Restore from recently deleted folder).


Then disconnect the mac from iCloud before deleting them on iCloud again.


Regading getting rid of the duplicates:

There are no facilities in photos to automate this, so either

* manually,

* or using an app designed to work with the photos library (Ie one that marks the photos or puts them in an album, and lets you review and then delete them, rather than doing the delete itself.


Do NOT use a general file duplicate finder not designed to work with the photos library. They will damage your photos library and likely cause loss of your photos.


I personally use PowerPhotos (I also use this for copying images and data between libraries)
https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powerphotos/



Another suitable app recommended by experts here is PhotoSweeper (I have no personal experience of this one)

https://overmacs.com/


Both are paid apps.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2020 9:38 AM in response to jmnorlin

I can't tell you why you have duplicates because it will depend on the detail of how you transferred from windows.


First - is your mac synced with icloud photos. If so, your deletions in iCloud will soon be synced to your mac, and they will be deleted on the mac as well. If you are synced with iCloud you need to undo the delete now. (Restore from recently deleted folder).


Then disconnect the mac from iCloud before deleting them on iCloud again.


Regading getting rid of the duplicates:

There are no facilities in photos to automate this, so either

* manually,

* or using an app designed to work with the photos library (Ie one that marks the photos or puts them in an album, and lets you review and then delete them, rather than doing the delete itself.


Do NOT use a general file duplicate finder not designed to work with the photos library. They will damage your photos library and likely cause loss of your photos.


I personally use PowerPhotos (I also use this for copying images and data between libraries)
https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powerphotos/



Another suitable app recommended by experts here is PhotoSweeper (I have no personal experience of this one)

https://overmacs.com/


Both are paid apps.

A lot of doublets created in Photos

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