How to Delete Duplicate Photos and Videos on iOS 16 & Later

With the evolution of iOS devices, Apple has incorporated several handy features to optimize the user experience. One such feature is the ability to delete duplicate photos and videos directly from the Photos app without using a third-party app.

Why is duplicate removal essential?

Managing duplicates on an iPhone is about more than just space. It’s also about optimizing the management of your digital memories. With the increasing quality of photos and videos our smartphones take, each file weighs heavily in storage. Duplicates, whether from a burst capture, a repeated download, or a handling error, can quickly clutter up your device’s memory, making it slower and less efficient.

In a few points, the reasons for removing duplicates:

• Save space: Removing duplicate files frees up memory for new photos, apps, or other content.
• Improved performance: Less storage space helps your iPhone run faster.
• Gallery Simplification: A well-organized gallery is more pleasant to browse and makes finding specific photos easier.

How to Remove Duplicates with iOS 16 and Later

Since iOS 16, Apple has introduced a native feature to identify and manage duplicate photos and videos. This feature is intuitive and accessible directly from the Photos app.

Step 1: Open the Photos app

To get started, launch the Photos app on your iPhone. Here, you’ll manage your entire gallery and access the new duplicate removal features.

Step 2: Go to the “Albums” tab

Once in the Photos app, go to the “Albums” tab at the bottom of the screen. This tab groups your photos into categories, making them easier to organize and view.

Step 3: Find the “Duplicates” section

Scroll down to the “Utilities” section. Here, you’ll find a new option called “Duplicates.” This section automatically displays all the duplicate photos and videos detected by the Photos app.

Step 4: Review and merge duplicates

When you go to the Duplicates album, you’ll see a list of all the similar photos and videos it finds. iOS lets you compare each item to choose the best version to keep. Tapping Merge combines the files into one, with iOS automatically selecting the higher-quality version.

If you prefer to delete duplicates instead of merging them:

• Select duplicate items by tapping the selection icon.
• Once you have selected the items, tap the trash can icon to delete them.

Step 5: Confirm deletion

Deleted items wait to disappear. They’re moved to the “Recently Deleted” album, where they’ll stay for 30 days before being permanently deleted. This gives you some breathing room in case of accidental deletion.

Advantages and limitations of this method

The built-in feature of iOS 16 has many advantages for users who want to manage their storage efficiently without relying on third-party apps. However, it has its limitations.

Benefits :

• No additional apps are needed: Everything is done directly within the Photos app without requiring external downloads.
• Simplified process: The interface is intuitive and requires no technical skills.
• File Security: Deleted files are not immediately erased, giving you a safety net in case of accidental deletion.

Limits:

• iOS update required: This feature is only available on iOS 16 and later, forcing users of older versions to look for other solutions.
• Duplicate Recognition: While Apple’s algorithm is effective, it may sometimes fail to recognize some duplicates, significantly if the files are slightly modified.