HT206186: Use Photos on your Mac

Learn about Use Photos on your Mac
RickAu
Level 1 (25 points)
Mac OS X

Q: How to find duplicate photos to delete?

Hi

 

Trying to get to grip with Photos App on Mac. I have quite a few duplicate images. How can I find and delete them within the App? Or do I need to use other software such as Gemini?

 

Thanks

 

Rick

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), Macbook Air, iPad, iPhone 6+, Watch

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 7:06 AM

by léonie,Solvedanswer
léonie léonie
Level 10 (108,994 points)
iCloud
A:

Photos does not have a tool to search fro duplicates in the library, because it tries to prevent you from importing duplicates. If you nevertheless manage to import duplicates you are on yiur own.

 

Arr you sure, you are having duplicates in the Library?  Photos is showing you the same photos in many views, to make it easier to access your photos based on several criteria.  You are only having duplicates, if you are seeing the same photos multiple times in the moments in the "Photos" view. They are not duplicates, if you are seeing the photos in other albums as well.

 

If you need to screen the library  for duplicates, use a third-party app.  There are a few duplicate detectors that are save to use:

I would not use Gemini or CleanMYMAc, because these tools are directly modifying the Photos Library and have caused problems in the past.  Moreover, they are breaking the lossless workflow and replacing original files by the edited versions, so you will not be able to revert your photos to the original versions, if you should discover that you made a mistake when editing them.

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 7:16 AM

Close
RickAu

Q: How to find duplicate photos to delete?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Oct 14, 2016 7:16 AM in response to RickAu
    Level 10 (108,994 points)
    iCloud
    Oct 14, 2016 7:16 AM in response to RickAu

    Photos does not have a tool to search fro duplicates in the library, because it tries to prevent you from importing duplicates. If you nevertheless manage to import duplicates you are on yiur own.

     

    Arr you sure, you are having duplicates in the Library?  Photos is showing you the same photos in many views, to make it easier to access your photos based on several criteria.  You are only having duplicates, if you are seeing the same photos multiple times in the moments in the "Photos" view. They are not duplicates, if you are seeing the photos in other albums as well.

     

    If you need to screen the library  for duplicates, use a third-party app.  There are a few duplicate detectors that are save to use:

    I would not use Gemini or CleanMYMAc, because these tools are directly modifying the Photos Library and have caused problems in the past.  Moreover, they are breaking the lossless workflow and replacing original files by the edited versions, so you will not be able to revert your photos to the original versions, if you should discover that you made a mistake when editing them.