Google Photos doesn’t have a button that finds and deletes all duplicate photos at once. To remove duplicates, open the Photos app or photos.google.com, find the matching photos (they usually sit next to each other in your timeline), tap and hold one copy to select it, select any other extra copies, and tap Trash. Keep one copy of each photo. Deleted items stay in Trash for 60 days, so you can restore anything you delete by mistake.
Google Photos already skips exact duplicates when you back up the same file twice, so most duplicates are edited copies, resized versions, or photos saved from messaging apps. Here’s how to find them faster and stop them from coming back.
How to delete duplicate photos in the Google Photos app
- Open Google Photos on your iPhone or Android phone.
- Scroll to the date the duplicates were taken, or search for them (see the tips below).
- Tap and hold the extra copy to select it. A check mark appears.
- Tap any other duplicates to add them. Drag your finger across photos to select several in a row.
- Tap Trash (called Delete on some versions), then confirm with Move to trash.
Deleting from Google Photos also deletes the photo from your phone and every other device signed in to your account, if backup is on.
How to delete duplicates on a computer
- Go to photos.google.com and sign in.
- Hover over a photo and click the check mark in its top-left corner.
- To select a range, click the first photo, hold Shift, and click the last photo.
- Click the Trash icon at the top right, then Move to trash.
The bigger screen makes it much easier to compare photos side by side.
Tips for finding duplicates faster
- Search by source: Search for “WhatsApp,” “Screenshots,” or “Downloads,” or open those folders in the Collections tab. Saved copies of photos often end up there.
- Check a date: Duplicates usually appear next to each other on the same day in your timeline.
- Look for edited copies: Older edits saved as copies show up as a second photo. Open each one and tap the info icon to compare file size and resolution.
- Use photo stacks: In the app, similar photos taken close together may be grouped into a stack. Open the stack to keep the best shot and delete the rest.
- Check shared albums and partner sharing: Photos saved from a shared album or a partner’s library appear in yours as separate copies.
Why duplicates happen in Google Photos
- Different versions of the same photo: Resized, compressed, or edited copies aren’t identical files, so Google Photos keeps both.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and similar apps save their own copy when you send or receive a photo.
- Several backup sources: Uploading from your phone, your computer, and Google Drive can add slightly different copies.
- Two Google Accounts: Photos backed up to both accounts look like duplicates if you switch between them.
How to prevent new duplicates
- Turn off backup for messaging folders: tap your profile picture, then Photos settings > Backup > Back up device folders, and turn off folders like WhatsApp Images.
- Back up from only one place per photo library, such as your phone, instead of your phone and computer.
- Save edits over the original instead of as a copy when the app gives you the choice.
What about duplicate finder apps?
Some third-party apps and browser extensions claim to find duplicates in Google Photos. Many need full access to your Google Account or photos. Only use tools from developers you trust, and read the permissions carefully. For most libraries, careful manual cleanup is safer.
How to empty the Trash to free up storage
Photos in Trash still count toward your storage for 60 days. To delete them now, open Collections > Trash (or Library > Trash), tap the three-dot menu, and choose Empty trash. This can’t be undone.
Related: find large files and sort Google Photos by size.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Photos upload the same photo twice?
Not if the file is exactly the same. It skips identical files. Different versions, like a resized copy, are uploaded as new photos.
Will “Free up space” remove duplicates?
No. Free up space deletes the copies stored on your phone that are already backed up. It doesn’t touch duplicates in your Google Photos library.
Can I recover a photo I deleted by mistake?
Yes, within 60 days for backed-up items. Open Trash, select the photo, and tap Restore.
Why can’t I delete some photos?
Photos shared with you by someone else, like in a shared album, can only be removed from your view. The owner has to delete the original.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.