Decided to tidy up your photo library and free up storage on your iPhone, only to discover many identical images? Duplicates often accumulate on your iPhone without your notice, leaving you to address the consequences and figure out how to eliminate them.
This article will guide you through merging duplicate photos using your iPhone’s built-in capabilities and advanced third-party cleaning applications.
By the end of this guide, you will understand what constitutes a duplicate and how it differs from non-duplicates, and you will possess the knowledge to merge duplicates from your iPhone and save the space they occupy.
Can You Merge Duplicate Photos on iPhone?
The general answer is yes. However, if we analyze the question word by word, then to merge – as in combining several versions of a photo into one – is not possible. Both the iOS function and third-party applications do not actually merge photos. Instead, they select the best picture and delete the others, leaving only the best version on your phone. Therefore, if you are wondering how to merge two similar pictures on an iPhone, the answer is that you cannot. You simply need to delete the copy you like less.
So, if we use words like “delete,” “remove,” or similar terms later in the article instead of “merge,” just know that we’re still referring to the same process.
Let’s also discuss the meaning of the word “duplicate.” iOS identifies two or more absolutely identical images as duplicates. For example, if you download the same photo from the Internet, a messenger, etc., multiple times, these are duplicates. Conversely, if you add effects to a photo, such as adjusting brightness, color, or graininess, and save the edited version, then it and the original will not count as duplicates for your iPhone. This distinction is important for understanding how to handle near-duplicates. That’s why we added a method using iPhone cleaners to the article. These cleaners employ AI algorithms to find and group images that are very similar but not exact copies of each other. We will analyze these methods in more detail next.
How to Merge Duplicate Photos on iPhone: Quick Workflow
To merge (delete) duplicates on your iPhone, you have several options. These options vary depending on whether you need to handle exact copies or near-duplicates. Here is how you can address both scenarios:
Method 1: Use the Native iOS Function for Duplicates
We’ve already mentioned that this function only detects exact duplicates. The only thing to add is that it’s available starting from iOS 16. However, with iOS 18 updates rolling out, this shouldn’t be an issue for most users.
- Open the Photos app on the iPhone.
- Move down to the section marked ‘Utilities’ and find the folder named ‘Duplicates’.
- Inside, sets of identical photos are neatly arranged for easy viewing.
- Pick the duplicates to combine. At the bottom, use the ‘Merge’ option to save a single version from the selected group.
If picking duplicates one by one feels inconvenient, a simpler option combines all detected duplicates effortlessly.
- Open the ‘Duplicates’ folder following the earlier instructions.
- Find ‘Select’ at the top right corner and tap it.
- Use ‘Select All’ to highlight all duplicate entries in one step.
- Tap ‘Merge’ to combine everything and create extra storage space.
Method 2: Utilize Third-Party Cleaner Apps
Regarding third-party applications, they can assist in identifying all the near-duplicates that differ in aspects like lighting, camera position, or the main object, and group them into collections for review and potential deletion.
How do you find a truly reliable app? When searching for a way on how to get rid of duplicate and similar photos on iPhone, the App Store offers countless options, but not all live up to their promises. That’s not the case with Clever Cleaner: Duplicate Remover for iPhone. This app effectively detects both exact duplicates and near-identical images, groups them, and displays them in an easy-to-review format. It also automatically selects the best photo in each group, though you can adjust this manually. Best of all, it’s completely free, no hidden in-app subscriptions, no surprises.
- First, download Clever Cleaner for iPhone from the App Store.
- Open the app and allow it access to your photo library. After granting permission, wait as the app completes the initial scan.
- To remove all duplicates and similar photos at once, tap the ‘Smart Cleanup’ button and skip ahead to Step 5 in this guide.
- If you prefer to remove duplicates selectively, tap on any grouped photos, select the images you wish to delete, and choose ‘Move to Trash.’
- The selected photos will move to the app’s trash. You can review these and, if necessary, restore pictures before final deletion. To delete them, slide the ‘Slide to Delete’. All marked copies will then move to the ‘Recently Deleted’ album.
Clever Cleaner App for iPhone offers more than just duplicate detection. It can also identify and delete large media files (mostly videos), convert Live Photos into still images, and remove all screenshots with a single tap. While these features aren’t directly related to duplicates, they help free up even more space on your iPhone. Check out this video tutorial to see how they work:
How to Save Space After Dealing with Duplicates
Once you have addressed duplicates using any of the methods described above, the deleted copies remain on your iPhone in the “Recently Deleted” album. Apple created this album as a safety net, offering a final opportunity to restore photos before they are permanently deleted. These images stay in this album for an additional 30 days.
If you aim to free up space in your storage immediately, you need to clear this album manually.
- Access the Photos application on the iPhone.
- Move through the menu until reaching the ‘Recently Deleted’ album. Open it.
- Locate the ‘Select’ button positioned at the top of the screen and tap it.
- You can choose ‘Delete All’ to remove all photos, or select individual photos to delete.
- Finalize the action by tapping ‘Delete’ once more to confirm the photos are permanently gone.
Tips for Saving Space Beyond Merging Duplicates
The primary goal of eliminating duplicates to free up space on the iPhone becomes evident when your photo library contains thousands of images. However, the actual usage of your iPhone may vary, and you might find that you have fewer photos but many other large files, such as videos. In such cases, you should concentrate on these files.
Here is a list of media types that often occupy significant space and, if excessive, you should consider deleting:
- Videos, especially those that are long, shot in cinematic mode, or are time-lapse videos.
- Screenshots, which can accumulate quickly and often go unmanaged.
- Live Photos, which contain motion and sound, thus taking up more space than standard photos.
- Burst Images, where multiple photos are taken at once, often leading to a large number of similar images that are rarely all needed.
FAQ on How to Merge Duplicate Photos on iPhone and Save Space
Does merging duplicate photos on an iPhone save space?
Merging duplicate photos on an iPhone helps free up storage. When you merge duplicates, the extra copies are removed, leaving only the highest quality version. This reduces the total count of photos, opening up more space on the device.
Can I merge two photos together on my iPhone?
No, combining two photos into one using the iPhone’s built-in tools is not possible. On an iPhone, the word “merge” usually refers to finding and removing duplicate photos, keeping just one version. To creatively blend two photos into a single image, a third-party editing app is necessary.
Can I undo merging photos if I make a mistake?
Yes, you can undo the merging of photos if you make a mistake, but timing is important. Once duplicates are combined and removed the deleted photo moves to the “Recently Deleted” album in the Photos app. This album protects the photo for 30 days, offering a chance to bring it back. To undo the merge, access “Recently Deleted”, locate the photo you need and tap “Recover” to restore it.
Conclusion
If your iPhone photo library contains hundreds or even thousands of images, it is important to know how to handle duplicates that consume additional space yet offer no value.
In this article, we demonstrated how you can merge (delete) these duplicates and completely remove any traces of them from your iPhone. We also provided guidance on how you should review and delete other media file categories. By doing so, you will free up more storage on your iPhone. Keeping your iPhone clean helps it run smoothly.
With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.
A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.
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