How to copy photos from iPhone to USB-C flash drive without creating duplicates?

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How to copy photos from iPhone to USB-C flash drive without creating duplicates?

I have an iPhone 15 pro, and when traveling, I like to backup my photos to an external USB-C flash drive (Sandisk). My issue is when copying photos, the iPhone will copy all photos regardless of whether or not they are already on the flash drive. Then I will get tons of duplicates with a number added to the original file name like this: original file "IMG_0001.jpg", duplicates "IMG_0001 2.jpg" or "IMG_0001 3.jpg", etc.

Is there any way that the phone can recognize duplicates and prompt me to skip them like on a desktop PC?

I had an old Lightening USB flash drive from Blanbok for my iPhone XR and its software would do this, and it was perfect.

Thanks!

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jan 3, 2025 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 4, 2025 10:39 AM in response to Ron_Elkins

I'm not sure how you're doing this copying. If I were to do this, I would sort the Library by, maybe, date added, and then select all the pictures added since the last time. I'd choose Share, Save to Files, and then choose the flash drive.

Selecting lots of contiguous pictures from Library is awfully easy-- you can just slide your finger from the first one to the last. I'm not sure if going to the Recently Saved collection would be easier…

Will this work?

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How to copy photos from iPhone to USB-C flash drive without creating duplicates?

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