BraveCLHow to find duplicate and similar photos on Mac
Scan a photo folder for exact duplicates and look-alikes, then compare each group side by side before choosing which copies to keep.
- What you'll achieve
- You will have a list of duplicate and similar photo groups, with side-by-side previews and file details to help identify the copy worth keeping.
- What you need
- Duplicate Image Detector version 3.0 on a Mac.
- A folder of photos you have permission to scan.
Photo libraries often contain repeated shots and slightly edited versions of the same picture. Duplicate Image Detector can scan a selected folder for exact and visually similar photos, then show grouped comparisons. This guide covers finding and reviewing matches, not removing files.
1.Choose the photo folder
Choose the folder containing the photos you want to check. The selected folder name appears above Scan for Duplicates. If you selected the wrong folder, use Change Folder.
Duplicate Image Detector with the Photo Collection folder selected and Scan for Duplicates ready. 2.Find exact copies and look-alikes together
Under Match Mode, select Both so the scan checks exact duplicates and visually similar photos. Adjust Similarity strictness if you need closer matches. Enable Include subfolders when your photos are in nested folders; Advanced Matching provides optional refinements.
Matching settings on Mac with Both selected, similarity controls visible and Include subfolders enabled. 3.Scan and inspect the matched groups
Click Scan for Duplicates and wait for the results. Read the Groups and Duplicates counts, then review the groups in the left sidebar. In this example, the scan found five exact pairs and one similar pair. A similarity percentage is a visual matching estimate, not proof that two photos are interchangeable.
Six duplicate photo groups found, including a 92 percent similar sunset pair displayed side by side. 4.Compare a group before choosing what to keep
Select a group in the sidebar, such as Travel Memories. Compare the large previews and file details side by side. The Keep This Copy and Mark for Deletion controls show the available decisions, but review each original carefully before marking or moving any file.
Two Travel Memories photos shown side by side with file details and manual keeper controls.
After the last step
No photos are removed during these steps.
Tips
Use Both when you want exact duplicates and visually similar images in one scan.
If near-matches are too broad, move Similarity strictness toward Strict before scanning again.
Scan a manageable folder first to understand how the groups and comparison controls work.
Watch outA visual similarity match does not prove two files are interchangeable; inspect both photos before deciding which is worth keeping.
Watch outThe illustrated steps stop at review. No files are moved to Trash or deleted by this guide.
