Choose a source
Open Photos → Photo Smart Cleanup. Choose System Photos Library for pictures you see in Apple Photos, or choose a regular image folder for files you see in Finder. Grant access to the source when prompted.
Choose a check
| What you want to find | What to select |
|---|---|
| Several versions of the same shot | Choose the similarity check. Compare the images in each group before selecting extras. |
| Identical image data | Choose the exact duplicate check. In the library, this skips edited photos, Live Photos and assets made of multiple files. |
| The best frame from a burst | Choose the burst check with the System Photos Library as the source. |
| Pictures that take up space | Choose the large-file check for a size in MB, or the high-resolution check for a pixel count. |
| Shots you might retake | Check for blur, closed eyes, blank frames or exposure problems. An intentionally dark shot can appear here too. |
Start the scan. All Cleanup Checks runs the categories together and includes the slower closed-eye check. For a quick comparison of one shoot, start with the similarity check alone.
Review before removing
Open a group and compare focus, expression and framing. Review any smart selection before confirming. When the source is the library, Delete from Photos removes the selected library items. With iCloud Photos enabled, that deletion also syncs to other devices.
The cleanup scan uses what’s available on this Mac and does not download iCloud originals. A photo can be visible in the library and still be skipped by an exact-duplicate or file-size check.