Duplicate photos in library and album

Every photo in an album has to be in the library as well and will appear in "All Photos". The library is, where all photos are stored, and only once. The photos in the albums are not duplicates. The albums are not storing photos, they are just referencing the photos in the library. This way we can have a photo in many albums without creating duplicates.

The best way to remove duplicates is to look at the duplicates album in Photos. when you are seeing a pair of Duplicates there, click the "Merge" button. Photos will keep the version with the best resolution and add it to all albums where the other delicate versions have been.

hannah0189 wrote: … I have recently purchased Apple’s Cleaner 2024 App.

Apple does not make a "Cleaner App." Apple does not recommend that you use any sort of Cleaner app. You may have been mislead. Much like cats, Apple computers clean themselves. I don't give my cat a bath. (Tried it once. Once was enough.)

Cleaners may, however, mess with files that aren't meant to be messed with. Most of us never use "Cleaner apps."

To add to Richard's post: never install or run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN (unless your employer, bank or school requires one) apps on your Mac. They are not needed and can do harm to the system and overall performance. That's true even if they are in the App Store as Apple lets in those apps that meed certain criteria re personal security, etc. Apple lets them in for a cut of the proceeds.

You're welcome, Hannah 😊 🎄