Taking a photo that captures a core memory or everyday moments is a common practice for many people. The issue arises when we end up with duplicate images that take up precious storage space on our iPhones or in iCloud. To address this problem, Apple introduced a “duplicate detection” feature in iOS 16, which uses on-device AI to identify identical images and group them in an easy-to-find album in the Photos app. This feature not only identifies exact copies but also photos with unique resolutions, file formats, or other minor differences. By removing duplicate photos and videos, you can free up storage space on your iPhone.
To utilize the iPhone’s built-in tool for removing duplicate photos, make sure iCloud syncing is turned on before following these steps. Open the Photos app on your iPhone, tap on the Albums tab, scroll down to the Utilities section, and select Duplicates. Here, you can view all the duplicate photos on your device and choose to delete them individually or all at once. If you opt to delete duplicates in bulk, simply select them all, merge them, and delete them simultaneously. If you prefer to delete duplicates individually, you can select each duplicate image, merge it, and then tap Merge to keep the best version in your library. The duplicates will be moved to the Recently Deleted album.
If you found the duplicate detection feature in iOS 16 helpful, you may also be interested in exploring CNET’s cheat sheet for iOS 17. Additionally, for more tips on saving storage space on your iPhone, you can refer to their list of suggestions for clearing out unnecessary files. Taking control of duplicate images on your device not only frees up storage space but also helps in organizing your photo library more efficiently. By using the iPhone’s built-in tool to manage duplicates, you can ensure that you have only the best versions of your photos saved while removing unnecessary copies that clutter your device’s storage.
