On Photos, how to delete RAW files from JPEG+RAW images?

I've followed the suggestions found here for separating JPEGs from the associated RAW files (exporting the original, moving the RAW files to another location, deleting the Photos images, and importing the JPEGs with the metadata), and it seems to make sense to me until I notice that the imported JPEGs still appear as "JPEG + RAW"! I've tried everything to make sure there is no trace of the RAW files to be found, either in the Photos app or in the export location, deleting all the "Recently Deleted" items -- even performing searches (both in the app and in the finder) for those RAW files, and they are successfully gone, but when I import the JPEG files with the metadata (whose file sizes look appropriate for a JPEG), they are listed as "JPEG + RAW". I thought maybe it was just a glitch from the metadata, as if it expected there to be a RAW file that wasn't actually there, so I tested it by using the "Use RAW as original", and to my surprise, the JPEG was actually switched with a RAW file and this is reflected in the file size! It seems clear that both the RAW and the JPEG are still there, which I prove by exporting it again, which results in the 3 exported files, identical to when I originally exported it.


I hope that's not too confusing an explanation. I have a large group of JPEGS + RAW images that I've decided I don't need the RAW files anymore, and since the RAW component makes up such a huge memory commitment, I just wanted to trash the RAW and keep the JPEGs. I just can't seem to get the RAW to disappear! From the comments on the posts where this process is explained, I don't notice that anyone else has experienced anything like this, so I'm not sure where I'm making a mistake.


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 29, 2025 3:04 PM

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May 30, 2025 2:39 AM in response to axelnelson

It should work, as you have described it.

Are you perhaps using iCloud Photos?


After deleting the RAW&JPEG pair from your Photos Library and from Recently Deleted you have to wait, until the pair has vanished from iCloud and all other synced devices as well, before you reimport the JEPGs only.

And have you checked, if there are RAW files in your Hidden folder? They will have to go as well.


As long as the RAW file is somewhere in your library, Photos may pair the reimported files on import.


When you reimport the JPEGS only, there must not be any RAW file with the same name in the folder you import from. Photos will import the pair, even if you only select the JPEG.

As a test To avoid any accidental pairing you could rename the JPEGs, before you reimport them, for example, append _R to the filename, like IMG_2076_R.JPEG. Does that import only the JPEG?





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On Photos, how to delete RAW files from JPEG+RAW images?

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