How-to guide
How to delete duplicate photos on Android (free and automatic)
Short answer
The free way: open Files by Google, tap Clean, then the Duplicate files card, select the copies and move them to Trash; the original is labelled. Samsung Gallery has Suggestions > Delete duplicate pictures. These find exact copies only. For near-duplicates, such as burst shots, you need an app that compares image content.
Last updated
How to delete duplicate photos with Files by Google
- Open Files by Google. Install it from the Play Store if your phone does not have it. It is free and made by Google.
- Go to Clean. Tap Menu (or the Clean tab at the bottom) and then Clean.
- Open the Duplicate files card. On the Duplicate files card, tap Select files. Each group shows the original with an Original badge.
- Select the copies. Tick the copies you want gone. Leave the one labelled Original.
- Move to Trash. Tap Move x file(s) to Trash and confirm. Empty the trash to free the space straight away.
What about Samsung phones?
In Samsung Gallery, tap the menu (☰). On One UI 7 and later the old Suggestions menu is called Clean out; look for Delete duplicate pictures there. Samsung's My Files app also has Analyze storage > Duplicate files; Samsung warns that originals can be selected too, so keep one of each. Exact menus differ between One UI versions.
Why do the free tools miss so many duplicates?
They look for identical files. A photo that WhatsApp re-compressed, a cropped copy, or five shots of the same pose are not identical, so they are not flagged. In most galleries, these near-duplicates take up more space than exact copies.
| Tool | Exact copies | Re-compressed copies | Similar shots (bursts) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Yes | No | No | Free |
| Samsung Gallery | Yes | Partly | Some One UI versions | Free |
| Google Photos | Skips uploading exact copies | No | Groups some into stacks for viewing | Free |
| GalleryJury (coming soon) | Yes | Yes | Yes, keeps the best shot | 50 free photos, then $5 for 5,000; no subscription |
Is it safe to delete duplicate photos?
Deleting a true copy is safe, provided you keep one. The risk is deleting both, or deleting the copy in your camera folder and keeping a low-quality WhatsApp version. Keep the highest-resolution copy, and check the trash before emptying it.
How does an automatic duplicate remover help?
GalleryJury finds exact copies and visually identical re-saves, keeps the best-quality one, then also groups similar shots and keeps the sharpest, best-framed one. You review everything on one screen and tap Free X GB; deleted photos go to Android's trash first. It is coming soon to Android. See the duplicate remover and best-shot picker.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Photos remove duplicates automatically?
Google Photos skips uploading files it already has, but it does not delete duplicates on your phone or near-duplicates in your library.
Why does my phone show every WhatsApp photo twice?
On some Samsung phones, the gallery lists WhatsApp folders twice (for example, the WhatsApp folder and a 'Sent' folder), and sent images are stored as separate copies. Removing the copies in the Sent folder is usually safe.
Sources
- Files by Google Help: Delete duplicate files (checked 25 October 2026)
- Samsung Support: Find and remove duplicate files on your Galaxy device (checked 25 October 2026)
- Samsung Support: Where did Suggestions go in One UI 7 Gallery? (checked 25 October 2026)
Related
GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.