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How can I search for duplicate photos and then delete them?

How can I find duplicate photos and then delete them? I feel like there used to be a way to view duplicates...

Posted on Sep 9, 2022 12:44 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 9, 2022 12:46 PM

Hi


There are no facilities in photos to automate finding and deleting duplicates, 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. (This is why apple says not to use them)


There are two known to be safe and recommended by experts here:


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. PhotoSweeper is the lowest cost and can recognise duplicates based on content, but PowerPhotos provides a lot of functionality in addition to the duplicate detection.



1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 9, 2022 12:46 PM in response to hrhjen

Hi


There are no facilities in photos to automate finding and deleting duplicates, 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. (This is why apple says not to use them)


There are two known to be safe and recommended by experts here:


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. PhotoSweeper is the lowest cost and can recognise duplicates based on content, but PowerPhotos provides a lot of functionality in addition to the duplicate detection.



How can I search for duplicate photos and then delete them?

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