How to find duplicate photos and videos in iOS 16
Developers and dedicated fans can get their hands on Apple’s forthcoming major software update through the company’s beta program before its planned release alongside the iPhone 14 in mid-September. Big changes, such as a more customizable lock screen, the ability to edit and unsend text messages, and a new on-device dictation system, were announced to applause at Apple’s unveiling at WWDC 2022 in June, but there are many smaller additions and refinements that Apple didn’t disclose on the day. The problem is with the Photos app and, more specifically, with images and clips that are duplicates.
We’ve all done it: double-screenshot a really juicy discussion, save an image on WhatsApp without realizing it’s also been added to the Photos app, and now you have two copies of the same photo taking up space on your iPhone and in iCloud. Finding and removing duplicates is the most effective method of dealing with them, and there are many tools in the Mac App Store that may assist with this. However, in iOS 16, you can do so using only the Photos app and no third-party software or hardware. Here’s how to identify and merge duplicate movies on your iPhone in iOS 16 if you’re running the beta version of iOS 16 before its official release and want to maintain your image library in order.
How to find duplicate photos and videos in iOS 16
Open the Photos app
After updating to the iOS 16 beta, launch the Photos app and navigate to the Albums section.
Find the new Duplicates utility
After seeing your albums, photographs, people, and media types, you’ll find the Utility section at the very end of the list. A new option, Duplicates, has been added to the list of imported, hidden, and recently deleted media (the latter of which is now protected by Face ID). The new duplicates tool can be used by tapping the duplicates icon.
Select the duplicate photos you’d like to delete or merge
All of your duplicate photographs and videos from your iPhone and iCloud will now be displayed in one list. So that no data is lost, Apple has opted to blend the two instead of storing only one. Metadata like the time, place and phone used to capture the photo will be preserved, unlike in most third-party solutions. However, we advocate merging duplicates in bulk rather than merging them one at a time using the merge option. The method for doing so is as simple as selecting the Select symbol in the top-right and then tapping Select All.
Merge your duplicates
Choose the media files you wish to combine, then tap the Merge button at the bottom of the screen and confirm by tapping Merge on the pop-up. The discussion is over. Then, to make room on your iPhone and in iCloud, your iPhone will combine any duplicate images you have.