How to Delete Duplicate Photos on iPhone: The Ultimate Guide

In the age of smartphones, photography has become more accessible than ever. But with ease, there often comes an influx of unnecessary duplicates cluttering our photo libraries. The iPhone, one of the most popular smartphone devices globally, is no exception to this phenomenon. If you’re looking for methods on how to delete duplicate photos on iPhone, you’ve come to the right place.

How to Delete All Duplicate Photos on iPhone

Before delving into specifics, let’s first understand how to delete all duplicate photos on iPhone:

1. Review and Organize: Go to the Photos app and tap on the ‘Photos’ tab at the bottom. Browse through the photos chronologically, and manually select duplicates you want to delete.
2. Delete: Once selected, tap the trash icon in the bottom right. This sends the photos to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
3. Final Removal: To completely remove them, go to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album, and select “Delete All” or choose individual photos to permanently delete.

How to Delete Burst Photos

Burst photos are a common source of duplicates on iPhones. While capturing a burst, iPhones take multiple shots in rapid succession. Here’s how to delete unwanted burst photos:

1. Open the Photos app and locate the burst photo (it will be labeled as ‘Burst’).
2. Tap on it, and then tap ‘Select’ at the bottom.
3. Browse through the burst shots and pick your favorite by tapping the blue circle checkbox.
4. After selecting, tap ‘Done’ in the top right corner.
5. You’ll be prompted to either keep everything or only keep the favorite. To reduce duplicates, choose ‘Keep Only 1 Favorite’.

What’s up with the Duplicate Photos on My iPhone?

Many iPhone users wonder: “What’s up with the duplicate photos on my iPhone?” Here are some reasons:

1. iCloud Sharing: If you’re sharing photos with family or friends via iCloud, the same photos might get downloaded back to your device.
2. Restoring from Backup: When restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup, there’s a chance that photos get duplicated.
3. Burst Mode: As mentioned, using burst mode can lead to numerous very similar shots.
4. App Downloads: Some apps might save images that you’ve already saved. For example, editing apps might save both the original and edited version.

Can I Use an App to Delete Duplicate Photos on My iPhone?

Yes, several apps can help in identifying and deleting duplicate photos. Here’s how to use an app to delete duplicate photos on your iPhone:

1. Choose a Trusted App: Start by downloading a reputable app like ‘Gemini Photos’, ‘Remo Duplicate Photos Remover’, or ‘Cleaner Pro’.
2. Grant Access: Once installed, open the app and grant it access to your photos.
3. Scan for Duplicates: The app will scan your library and identify duplicates or similar photos.
4. Review and Delete: The app will present duplicates for your review. Select the ones you want to delete and proceed with the cleanup.

Note: Always review the photos before deletion to ensure you don’t accidentally delete something important.

Why Are There Duplicate Photos On Your iPhone?

Now that we’ve looked into how to delete duplicate photos on iPhone, it’s essential to understand why they exist in the first place. Apart from reasons like iCloud sharing, burst mode, and restoring backups, there are other factors:

1. Photo Stream: If you use Photo Stream, it pushes the last 30 days of photos to all connected devices. This might result in duplicates if those photos are already saved elsewhere.
2. Multiple Import: If you’ve imported photos from a computer or external device more than once, you might have duplicates.
3. Third-Party Apps: Some apps might save images you’ve viewed or edited multiple times.

In conclusion, the presence of duplicate photos on iPhones is a common issue due to a variety of reasons. By following the methods provided on how to delete duplicate photos on iPhone, you can streamline your photo library, free up storage, and enjoy a more organized viewing experience.