How to Delete Duplicate Photos on iPhone
Use the built-in duplicate finder, then clear the similar shots it cannot judge.
3 min read · Updated July 30, 2026
Open Photos, scroll to Utilities, tap Duplicates, and merge the groups you recognize.
Merge exact duplicates
Tap Merge beside a pair or use Select to handle several groups. Photos keeps one high-quality copy and moves the extras to Recently Deleted.
- Open Duplicates.
- Review the first group.
- Tap Merge, then confirm.
- Repeat or select several groups.
If Duplicates is missing
Your iPhone has not found any matches yet. Leave it locked and charging, then check again later.
Clear similar photos too
Burst shots and near-identical pictures are often different files, so they may not appear in Duplicates.
- Open a group from the same event.
- Favorite the best one.
- Compare focus and expressions.
- Delete the obvious misses.
Common questions
Can I undo a merge?
The extra copies normally remain in Recently Deleted for 30 days.
Why are similar photos missing?
They may differ in timing, edits, motion, or image data. Duplicates is not a similar-photo finder.