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Apple recommends that we not use third party software apps to remove the duplicate/triplicate images created in Photos yet they do not provide a method/app that they have approved. Photos/iPhoto, for years has generated duplicate images in the Photo Library. How can I remove the images and when will Apple resolve this issue in Photos®
If you are having duplicates in your Photos Library, you have imported photos in a way, that disables the built-in duplicate detection on import. When you try to import a photo a second time, that is already in the library, Photos will warn you. We have to force Photos to import duplicates. Your duplicates are probably similar looking photos, but not exactly duplicate files, something will be different, the file format or the resolution. the filename or the creation date, for example edited versions or copies in a different file format.
The best way to deal with duplicates in Photos is to find out, what has created the duplicates and to avoid it in future. Typically you will get duplicates, if you are using two different methods of importing together - for example a combination of manual importing and My Photo Stream, or manual importing and iCloud Photos. Also avoid any kind of importing that changes the file format or the file size. Do not import manually from a device that is syncing with iCloud Photos. If you know what has been creating the duplicates in your case you can try to use this to search for the duplicates systematically by the dimensions of the photos or the file type.
Any version of Photos newer than Photos 4 is hiding duplicates in the Days. You can use this to create an album of the photos not shown in the Days to find potential duplicates, see:
About the Duplicate Detection in Photos 5… - Apple Community
If you are having duplicates in your Photos Library, you have imported photos in a way, that disables the built-in duplicate detection on import. When you try to import a photo a second time, that is already in the library, Photos will warn you. We have to force Photos to import duplicates. Your duplicates are probably similar looking photos, but not exactly duplicate files, something will be different, the file format or the resolution. the filename or the creation date, for example edited versions or copies in a different file format.
The best way to deal with duplicates in Photos is to find out, what has created the duplicates and to avoid it in future. Typically you will get duplicates, if you are using two different methods of importing together - for example a combination of manual importing and My Photo Stream, or manual importing and iCloud Photos. Also avoid any kind of importing that changes the file format or the file size. Do not import manually from a device that is syncing with iCloud Photos. If you know what has been creating the duplicates in your case you can try to use this to search for the duplicates systematically by the dimensions of the photos or the file type.
Any version of Photos newer than Photos 4 is hiding duplicates in the Days. You can use this to create an album of the photos not shown in the Days to find potential duplicates, see:
About the Duplicate Detection in Photos 5… - Apple Community
The "when" question can only be answered by Apple, and they are not here. Regarding duplicates:
There are no facilities in photos to automate finding and deleting duplicates, so either
* manually,
* or using an app designed to work with the photos library (Ie one that marks the photos or puts them in an album, and lets you review and then delete them, rather than doing the delete itself.
Do NOT use a general file duplicate finder not designed to work with the photos library. They will damage your photos library and likely cause loss of your photos. (This is why apple says not to use them)
There are two known to be safe and recommended by experts here:
I personally use PowerPhotos (I also use this for copying images and data between libraries) https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powerphotos/
Another suitable app recommended by experts here is PhotoSweeper (I have no personal experience of this one)
Both are paid apps. PhotoSweeper is the lowest cost and can recognise duplicates based on content, but PowerPhotos provides a lot of functionality in addition to the duplicate detection.
How do I delete duplicate photos without using third party app?
