Since iOS 16, the Photos app can find duplicate photos and videos in your library and merge them for you. It is the safest way to remove exact copies, because it keeps the best version and combines information like favourites and captions.
Find the Duplicates album
- Open Photos.
- Scroll down to Utilities. (In recent versions of iOS, tap Collections or scroll down from the library, then find Utilities.)
- Tap Duplicates.
If you do not see Duplicates, either your library has no duplicates or your iPhone is still analysing it. Analysis happens in the background, often while your iPhone is locked and charging.
Merge duplicates
Each set of duplicates is shown side by side.
- To merge one set, tap Merge next to it, then confirm.
- To merge many at once, tap Select, choose sets or tap Select All, then tap Merge.
Photos keeps one copy, using the highest quality version and combining relevant information. The other copies move to Recently Deleted.
Free the space
Merged copies stay in Recently Deleted for 30 days. To free the space immediately:
- In Photos, open Utilities > Recently Deleted and unlock it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
- Tap Select, then Delete All (or select specific items and delete them).
This is permanent. See emptying Recently Deleted for more.
If you use iCloud Photos
With iCloud Photos on, merging duplicates on your iPhone removes the extra copies from all your devices and iCloud.com. For true duplicates that is usually what you want, but it is good to know before merging hundreds of items.
Similar photos and bursts
The Duplicates album finds copies that are the same or nearly identical. It does not group burst shots or several photos of the same moment taken seconds apart, because those may differ in expression or framing.
For bursts, open the burst, tap Select, choose the frames you want to keep, tap Done, and choose Keep Only [number] Favorites.
For other similar photos, review them manually: compare side by side, keep the best, and delete the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Does iPhone have a duplicate photo finder?
Yes. Since iOS 16, Photos includes a Duplicates album under Utilities that finds and merges duplicate photos and videos.
Is it safe to merge duplicates on iPhone?
Yes. Photos keeps the highest quality version with combined information, and moves the other copies to Recently Deleted, where they can be recovered for 30 days.
Why is there no Duplicates album on my iPhone?
Either there are no duplicates, or Photos is still analysing your library. Leave your iPhone locked and charging for a while, then check again.
Want this done for you?
spacerecover’s iPhone companion goes beyond exact duplicates: it groups similar shots from the same moment side by side, with hints for blur and closed eyes, so you can keep the best one. Favourites are always protected, you confirm every removal, and analysis runs on your phone.