If you're searching for how to remove duplicates in Mac Photos, you're definitely not alone. Duplicate photos can quietly pile up over time—burst shots, edited copies, repeated imports from iPhone, or synced images from iCloud—all eating up valuable storage space.
The Photos app on macOS does offer basic tools to detect duplicates, but they don't always catch everything. Some similar photos slip through, and manual cleanup can quickly become time-consuming and frustrating.
In this guide, we'll show you how to remove duplicate photos in Mac Photos using both Apple's built-in features and smarter alternatives. We'll also introduce Cleamio, a powerful Mac cleanup tool that goes beyond the Photos app—helping you detect exact and similar duplicates, preview results, and remove unnecessary copies safely.
Whether you want a quick cleanup or full control over what gets deleted, this step-by-step guide will help you reclaim space without risking your memories.
Before learning how to remove duplicates in Mac Photos, it helps to understand why they appear in the first place. Most duplicates are created unintentionally during everyday use.
When your iPhone syncs photos through iCloud, AirDrop, or manual imports, the same images may be saved more than once. This often happens when switching Macs or restoring photo libraries.
Burst mode, edited copies, screenshots, and exported versions can look almost identical. Over time, these similar images clutter your Photos library and take up gigabytes of space.
Apple added a native way to remove duplicates in Photos on Mac, making basic cleanup easier than before.
Open the Photos app and select Duplicates from the sidebar. macOS automatically groups exact duplicates and suggests which version to keep. You can review each group and click Merge to remove extra copies.
While useful, this feature only detects obvious duplicates. Similar photos, edited versions, and images stored outside the Photos library are often missed—leaving clutter behind.
If you want a deeper and more accurate cleanup, Cleamio offers a smarter solution.
Cleamio scans your Mac using content-based analysis, not just filenames. It detects:
This makes it ideal for users who want full control over photo cleanup.
Cleamio ensures original photos stay intact while removing unnecessary duplicates in seconds.
After cleaning up duplicates, prevention is key.
Avoid importing photos manually if iCloud Photos is enabled. Also, review sync settings to prevent repeated uploads from multiple devices.
Running Cleamio periodically helps catch duplicates early before they pile up again—keeping your Mac Photos library clean and organized.
Knowing how to remove duplicates in Mac Photos can free up storage, improve performance, and make browsing your photo library enjoyable again. While Apple's built-in tools help with basic duplicates, they don't catch everything.
For a more complete and safer cleanup, Cleamio stands out as an effective solution for removing duplicate photos on Mac—especially when dealing with similar images and large libraries. By combining smart detection with full preview control, Cleamio helps you clean up without risking your memories.
If you're ready to reclaim space and keep your Photos library organized, Cleamio is a reliable tool worth adding to your Mac maintenance routine.
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