How to review duplicate photos on iPhone
Apple Photos can identify duplicate photos and videos, but visually similar shots are a separate judgement. Treat exact duplicate merging and subjective photo cleanup as two different tasks.
1. Open the Duplicates album
In Photos, find Utilities and open Duplicates. The album may take time to appear after the device analyses the library. Keep the iPhone powered and locked periodically so background photo analysis can complete.
2. Inspect each group
Compare date, resolution, edits and file type. A burst, edited copy, Live Photo or alternate crop may look similar while serving a different purpose. Do not assume every apparent copy is interchangeable.
3. Understand Merge
Apple’s Merge action keeps one item with the highest relevant quality and metadata while moving redundant items to Recently Deleted. Read the confirmation because the exact result depends on the group.
4. Handle similar photos manually
For repeated portraits or bursts, compare focus, expressions and composition. Keep the best shot and any genuinely different moment. Automated similarity is a review shortcut, not permission to delete.
5. Verify before permanent removal
Check albums, shared workflows and backups before emptying Recently Deleted. If a photo matters, verify another copy independently rather than relying only on the recovery album.