02-03-2025
Your iPhone has a hidden folder eating up storage space without you even knowing
Is your iPhone running out of space?
Don't worry, we've got you covered with some little-known tricks to free up storage and keep your device running smoothly.
Ready to reclaim valuable space? Starting with iOS 16, the Photos app on your iPhone automatically detects duplicate photos and videos, organizing them into a Duplicates album located in the Utilities section.
Be sure to update your iPhone. Remember you need to have at least iOS 16 running on your iPhone. All iPhones, including iPhone 8 and later, can update to iOS 16. This includes:
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X
iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later
If you have an older phone, consider upgrading.
Important: If you're running iOS 16 or later and don't have any duplicates, the Duplicates folder will not appear in the Utilities section of the Photos app.
Read On The Fox News App
Now follow these simple steps to clear out duplicate photos and videos that are hogging your iPhone's storage:
Open your Photos app
Scroll down to the Utilities section and there, you'll find a tab called Duplicates. Tap on it
STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT'S THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW
This folder is where Apple keeps track of all your duplicate photos and videos. Many users are shocked to discover how many duplicates they have. For instance, you might have received the same image in multiple chats. Clearing out these duplicates can instantly free up gigabytes of storage.
Space Running Low? Securely Store Your Heavy Files With These Free Cloud Storage Solutions
Open your Photos app
Scroll down and find the Duplicates folder in the Utilities section
You'll see duplicate files listed with a Merge button next to or above each
Tap Merge to remove duplicates and keep the original file
Confirm your decision by clicking the pop-up window at the bottom of the screen that will say, Merge # Exact Copies. The number will change depending on how many files you are merging
For faster cleanup, tap Select in the top right corner
Choose multiple duplicates or click Select All to merge everything at once
You'll see Merge check marks in the blue circle for each pair you wish to merge
Then tap at the bottom of the screen
Then click the pop-up with Merge (number) Exact Copies Only or Merge (number) Items and wait for the process to finish
What To Do When Your Phone Storage Is Full
If you need even more space, try these additional tips:
Go to Settings
Tap General
Click iPhone Storage
Review the storage breakdown and app usage
Check Apple's recommendations at the top of the page
What Is Artificial Intelligence (Ai)?
Some effective space-saving options include:
Review large attachments: A quick way to reclaim storage is by deleting unnecessary videos and documents from your messages
Auto-delete old conversations: By enabling it, it automatically removes all your messages and attachments that were sent or received one year ago
Remove older downloads: Keeps only the latest five automatically downloaded episodes per show
Review downloaded media: Manually check and remove unnecessary downloads
Best Ways To Delete Unnecessary Files From Your Icloud To Free Up Storage
These simple tricks can help you reclaim significant storage space on your iPhone. Regularly checking your Duplicates folder and following Apple's storage recommendations can keep your device running smoothly without the need for costly upgrades. Remember to review your storage periodically to maintain optimal performance.
Do you think clearing duplicate photos will change how you take or manage photos going forward, and if so, how? Let us know by writing us at
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked?
What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web?
How can I get rid of robocalls with apps and data removal services?
How do I remove my private data from the internet?
New from Kurt:
Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!)
CyberGuy's Exclusive Coupons and Deals
Copyright 2025 All rights article source: Your iPhone has a hidden folder eating up storage space without you even knowing