The Photos app can identify duplicate photos and videos and place them in a Duplicates collection. You can merge detected duplicates instead of manually comparing every copy.
Merge Duplicate Photos
- Open Photos.
- Find the Duplicates collection in the available utilities or collections.
- Review a duplicate pair or group.
- Tap Merge.
- Confirm that you want to merge the items.
What Merge Does
Photos keeps one version that combines the highest-quality image and relevant data, while redundant copies are moved to Recently Deleted. This is safer than choosing a copy based only on the thumbnail.
If You Do Not See Duplicates
The iPhone needs time to analyze the photo library, and the Duplicates collection appears only when duplicates have been detected. Keep the device locked and connected to power when practical so background analysis can complete.
Check Recently Deleted
Merged or deleted items can remain in Recently Deleted for a limited period before permanent removal. Review that album before emptying it if you are worried that something was removed by mistake.
iCloud Photos Consideration
If iCloud Photos is enabled, changes to the synchronized library can propagate to your other devices. Treat cleanup as a library-wide action rather than assuming it affects only one iPhone.
Review Similar Photos Separately
The Duplicates feature looks for items iOS identifies as duplicates; it is not a general tool for choosing the best shot from a burst or several nearly identical photos. Review visually similar pictures yourself before deleting them, particularly when they capture different expressions, moments, or document details.