How to remove duplicate photos
Short answer: use a duplicate finder that groups identical and near-identical photos, keeps the best copy of each group and moves the rest to the trash, so you can undo it. Doing it by hand works for a few photos; for hundreds, let an app do the comparing.
Why you have so many duplicates
- You saved the same image twice from a chat or a website.
- You took several screenshots of the same screen.
- Burst shots and "one more try" photos look almost the same.
- Backups and syncing apps restored copies you already had.
Remove duplicate photos in 4 steps
- Find them. Use a tool that compares the pictures themselves, not just file names. Near copies (same screen, slightly different crop) count too.
- Pick the keeper. Keep the sharpest or newest copy, or the one you already starred or filed.
- Delete the rest in one go. Reviewing group by group is faster than photo by photo.
- Check the trash before emptying it. Deleted photos usually stay in the trash for 30 days, so nothing is lost by mistake.
Built-in options
- iPhone: Photos > Utilities > Duplicates, then Merge.
- Google Photos / Android: Files by Google suggests duplicate files under Clean. Google Photos does not group near copies for you.
The faster way: Shotbox
Shotbox groups screenshots and saved images that look the same, keeps the best copy (the one you starred or put in a box, otherwise the newest) and deletes the rest in one tap. Deleted copies go to the trash for 30 days. It all happens on your phone; your photos are never uploaded.
FAQ
Yes, once the trash is emptied. Screenshots and saved images often add up to several gigabytes.
No. Each group always keeps one photo.
Shotbox treats pictures that look the same as one group, even if the files differ slightly.
Try Shotbox
Sort photos and screenshots into boxes, remove duplicates and find any picture by the words in it. Private, on your phone.
See how it works