Free up space on your Mac
Are you tired of scrolling through your Mac’s photo library only to find multiple copies of the same photo? Duplicate photos can clutter your storage and make it harder to find the memories you want to cherish. Fortunately, if you’re using macOS Ventura or later, Apple has made it easier than ever to find and merge these duplicates right within the Photos app. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use the built-in Duplicates finder, as well as some alternative methods for those who need more advanced features. Plus, we’ll also offer some other tips to help you easily free up space on your Mac.
How to use the built-in Duplicates finder in the Photos App (macOS Ventura and later)
If you’re using macOS Ventura or newer, Apple has added a Duplicates finder inside the Photos app. Here are the steps to find and merge duplicates in the Photos App on a Mac:
1. First, open up your Photos app by clicking Finder in the dock at the bottom of your home screen.
2. Click Applications and then scroll down to click on the Photos app.
3. On the left sidebar, click on Utilities.
4. If you have any duplicate photos, they will show up automatically. Once you’re in the duplicates section, you’ll see all the duplicate images the app has detected. Take a moment to review them.
5. Next to or above each set of duplicates, you’ll see a “merge” button. Click it to keep the highest-quality version and delete the others.
6. Confirm your decision to merge the duplicates.
By following these steps, you can easily clear out all the duplicate photos in your library, freeing up valuable space on your Mac and keeping your photo collection organized.
Use a third-party app for deep duplicate scanning
Third-party apps are a great option for more advanced duplicate detection, especially for photos stored outside the Photos app. Some antivirus software offers a duplicate file finder that can detect duplicate images, videos, and files stored on your Mac. These apps allow you to scan your folders, review the detected duplicate files, select the ones you want to delete, and click “Remove” to free up space. Remember to back up your system before deleting any files in case you need to restore them.
Bonus tip: Clear out old iCloud photo duplicates
If your Mac syncs with iCloud Photos, removing duplicates from your Mac will also delete them from iCloud. Running a strong antivirus software on your Mac storage can help efficiently clear space by removing unnecessary duplicates.
Other tips to free up space on your Mac
1. Empty trash: Make sure to regularly empty the Trash to free up storage space.
2. Delete unnecessary apps: Remove unused applications to free up space and improve performance.
3. Delete files you don’t need: Go through your files and delete any old or unnecessary documents, videos, or downloads.
4. Transfer files to external storage: Use an external hard drive or cloud storage to store large files and free up local storage.
5. Consider cloud storage: Utilize services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive to store files and free up space on your Mac.
By following these tips and utilizing the built-in Duplicates finder in the Photos app, you can efficiently manage your photo library, free up storage space, and keep your Mac running smoothly. Stay organized and make the most of your memories without the clutter of duplicate photos.
