Duplicate photos can accumulate on a Mac over time and take up unnecessary storage space, making photo organization less efficient.
There are several ways to identify and remove duplicate photos, depending on whether they are stored in the Photos app or in Finder. The following methods outline practical options using built-in macOS features and a dedicated tool.
Delete Duplicate Photos on Mac
The steps to remove extra or similar images vary depending on where they are stored. Below are the most practical ways to clean them up using built-in macOS features or a dedicated tool.
Use the Photos App
If your images are stored in the Photos app, this is the safest and most efficient place to remove duplicates, and you can spare no effort to get rid of these identical but meaningless pictures on your Mac to free up space on Macintosh HD easily.
On macOS Ventura or later:
- Open Photos.
- Select Duplicates from the sidebar.
- Click Merge to keep the best version and remove the rest.
This feature automatically detects both exact duplicates and very similar images, while preserving important metadata like edits and favorites.
On earlier macOS versions like macOS Monterey, there is no built-in duplicate detection feature. You can manually group and remove similar images by sorting them:
- Open the Photos app on your Mac.
- Click Library in the sidebar.
- Browse your photos in the main view (they are organized by date).
- Look for images taken at the same time or with similar content.
- Hold the Command key to select unwanted copies.
- Press Delete and confirm.
- Go to Recently Deleted and remove them permanently.
If you want to use the easy way to delete similar photos on Mac Photos but don't know if it is suitable to upgrade, please read: Should I Upgrade to macOS Ventura?
Note: This method relies on manual review and cannot detect duplicates based on image content, so it is only practical for smaller photo libraries.
Use Finder
If your duplicate photos are stored outside the Photos app (such as in Downloads or external drives), you can use Finder. Finder always allows you to access any files on your Mac, including Word documents, DMG files, pictures, videos, audio, and so on.
- Open Finder in Launchpad or Spotlight Search.
- Click File > New Smart Folder.
- Click the + button in the top-right corner.
- Set the filter to Kind → Image.
- Sort files by Name, Date, or Size.
- Review similar or repeated images.
- Select unwanted files and choose Move to Trash.
If you want to delete these pictures, you can head to the Mac Trash to empty them straightforwardly.
If the deleted photos come back, you can read this article to fix this issue simply: How to Fix Deleted File Reappearing on Mac and Windows?
Note: Finder only filters files based on attributes, so it cannot accurately identify visually similar images.
Use iBoysoft Cleaner to Find Similar Photos
For large photo libraries or more accurate results, a dedicated tool can save significant time.
iBoysoft Cleaner includes a Similar Photos feature that:
- Detects both duplicate and visually similar images
- Groups them automatically for quick review
- Allows batch deletion after preview
This is especially useful for identifying near-duplicates, such as burst shots or slightly edited versions, which built-in macOS tools may miss.
- Download, install, and open iBoysoft Cleaner.
- Click Similar Photos.
- Choose the places where you store your photos and click it.
- After the scanning, the duplicate files will list in the left side, and you can preview them on the right side.
- Pick the ones that you want to remove.
If you want to choose other duplicate photo removers, please read: Best Duplicate Photo Removers on Mac.
Why You Have Duplicate Photos on Mac
Duplicate photos usually result from everyday actions, such as:
- Importing the same photos multiple times from the iPhone or camera
- Syncing photos across devices (e.g., iCloud)
- Creating copies during file organization
- Taking multiple similar shots of the same subject
Because macOS doesn't always prevent duplicate imports, these files can accumulate quickly without notice.
How to Prevent Duplicate Photos
To avoid duplicates in the future, a few simple habits can help:
- Check for existing files before importing photos
- Avoid repeated manual backups to the same location
- Use iCloud Photos carefully to prevent sync duplication
- Regularly review and clean your photo library
- Use a tool with duplicate detection if you manage large collections
Conclusion
Deleting duplicate photos on Mac doesn't have to be time-consuming. The Photos app provides the easiest solution for library-based images, while Finder works for files stored across your system. For faster and more thorough cleanup—especially when dealing with similar images—a tool like iBoysoft Cleaner can significantly improve efficiency.
If you still can't delete duplicate photos on Mac, please read: Can't delete duplicates on Mac.
FAQs
- QHow do I get rid of duplicate photos on my Mac?
-
A
You can apply the Finder app to get rid of duplicate photos on your Mac: Launch Finder on your Mac > click the File tab to create a New Smart Folder > click the plus + icon to choose Kind and Images option > select identical image files listed in the Finder window > drag your mouse to select the image files that you want to get rid of > right-click these selected photos to choose the Delete X Photos option.
- QCan Mac Photos app find duplicates?
-
A
Actually, the Mac Photos app cannot find duplicates automatically, but you can find them manually by setting a filter: Launch the Photos app on your Mac > Create a New Smart Album by clicking the File tab > Set the filter to sort out your duplicate photos on your Mac > Locate the New Smart Album that you created > Select all duplicate photos and make further changes.