How to Delete Duplicate Photos on iPhone or iPad

Duplicate images, similar photos, or accidental screenshots can quickly fill your storage and slow down your device. Thankfully, the Duplicates feature in the Photos app makes it easy to automatically detect and merge duplicate photos. In this guide, I’ll explain how to find and delete duplicate photos on your iPhone and iPad to free up storage.

Does iPhone Automatically Detect Duplicate Photos?

Yes. The Photos app scans your library in the background and detects duplicate photos and videos. When duplicates are found, it creates a Duplicates album under Utilities.

However, it does not detect similar photos. These are different.

Duplicate photos are exact copies of the same image, such as saving an edited photo as a new file or importing the same photo twice. Similar photos, on the other hand, are different shots that look alike, such as the same pose taken multiple times, burst photos, or multiple screenshots of the same screen.

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For example, if you take three photos of the same sunset, they are similar photos. But if your phone saves the exact same sunset photo twice, those are duplicates.

Steps to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone or iPad

If you are using iOS 16 or later, the built-in Duplicates feature in the Photos app makes finding duplicate images simple.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Go to the Collections and scroll down to Utilities.
3. Tap Duplicates.
4. Tap Select in the top right corner. You can select items individually or tap Select All.
   
5. Tap Merge, then confirm by tapping Merge Items.
   

You can repeat the process or use Select > Select All > Merge for bulk cleanup.

When you merge duplicate photos, your iPhone keeps the highest-quality version, combines the metadata, and moves the extra copies to Recently Deleted.

On iPad (iPadOS 16 or later):

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Swipe from the left edge or tap the Show Sidebar button to open the sidebar.
3. Under Utilities, tap Duplicates.
   
4. Tap Merge, then tap Merge Exact Copies in the warning pop-up.
   

For batch removal, tap Select > Select All, then tap Merge.

Alternative Method: Using Advanced Search

You can also use the Advanced Search feature to find similar photos. It allows you to search by keyword, object, scene, location, or description, making it easier to spot image sets that look alike.

This method works the same on both iPhone and iPad.

1. On iPad: Tap Search from the sidebar.
   
2. On iPhone: Tap the Search tab at the bottom.
   
3. Enter keywords such as:
   • “Selfies,” “Dogs,” “Cats,” “Beach,” “Documents,” or “Screenshots.”
   • Browse the results and review similar images.
4. Select the photos you want to remove, then tap the Trash icon.

Advanced Search does not merge photos automatically, but it helps you quickly identify groups that are often mistaken for duplicates.

Steps to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone (iOS 15 or Earlier)

If your device is running an older version of iOS, follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos app and go to Library or Albums.
2. Tap Select in the upper right corner.
3. Manually choose duplicate images.
4. Tap the Trash icon, then confirm the deletion.

If you have large batches of screenshots, burst photos, or downloads, sort by Media Types to speed up cleanup.

Best Apps to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone and iPad

The built-in Duplicates feature only finds exact matches. It does not detect similar angles, near-identical shots, or burst images. For deeper cleaning, a third-party app can help.

1: Clever Cleaner: AI Cleanup App

Clever Cleaner is a completely free photo storage cleaner for iPhone and iPad. It has a clean interface and uses AI to scan your library and group duplicate photos. It also detects similar photos and displays them in a separate “Similars” tab. Features like Heavies help you remove or compress large files with a single tap.

Bottom Line: If you want a free, all-in-one app with no ads and a simple interface, Clever Cleaner is a solid choice.

Related: Best iPhone Cleaner Apps to Maximize Your Storage

2: Remo Duplicate Photos Remover

If you want something straightforward and easy to use, Remo Duplicate Photos Remover is a good option. With a single tap on Scan, it displays all duplicate images in two sections: Exact and Similar. You can preview the results and delete what you do not need.

Bottom Line: It effectively finds similar images and gives you full control over what gets deleted.

How to Prevent Duplicate Photos on iPhone in the Future

It is easier to prevent duplicates than to remove them later. Here are practical tips to keep your photo library organized:

• Turn Off “Keep Normal Photo”: Your iPhone may save both an HDR and a normal version of a photo. Turning this off helps avoid duplicate-looking shots. Go to: Settings > Camera > Keep Normal Photo, then turn it off.
• Avoid Reimporting the Same Photos: If you transfer photos from another device or computer, make sure you do not import the same batch twice. This is one of the most common causes of duplicates.
• Use One Sync Method at a Time: Switching between iCloud Photos, AirDrop, or other transfer methods can create duplicate copies. Stick to one primary sync method.
• Enable iCloud Photos on All Devices: When all your Apple devices use iCloud Photos, they stay in sync, which reduces mismatched versions and duplicate files.
• Be Careful with Photo Editing Apps: Some apps save edits as new photos instead of updating the original. Use non-destructive editing apps when possible, or remember to delete older versions.
• Clear Bursts and Screenshots Regularly: Burst photos, repeated takes, and screenshots add up quickly. Review and delete them weekly or monthly so they do not turn into clutter.

Conclusion

Cleaning up duplicate and similar photos on your iPhone or iPad does not have to feel overwhelming. With Apple’s built-in Duplicates feature, Advanced Search tools, and a few reliable third-party apps, you can reclaim storage and keep your photo library organized with minimal effort.