BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Apple iOS 16.4 Finally Adds Much-Requested Photo Feature

Following

The latest iOS version 16.4 plugs an important gap in Apple’s iCloud service that will benefit many who use the service to share their photo libraries with friends and family.

The update, as noted by MacRumors, enables the automatic detection of duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library. Once detected, any unwanted duplicates can then be removed to tidy up the Library and cut down on wasted storage. The feature has been frequently requested since automatic duplicate detection was first introduced for personal libraries with iOS 16.

Apple's newly-expanded version of the feature functions just as before but now also works with iCloud shared libraries. It works by identifying duplicate photos and videos stored in your Library which are then automatically grouped together under a ‘Duplicates’ option in the Utilities menu. Selecting this option displays all the detected duplicate images along with a ‘Merge’ button you can tap to consolidate them into single files.

The feature doesn’t simply look for image files that are exact duplicates. It will also detect alternate versions of images that may have different resolutions or quality settings. In this case, merging the files should automatically retain the version with the highest quality. The app will notify you before you proceed whether or not the files are exact copies, or merely similar, before you continue. If you make a mistake or change your mind, you will find the deleted copies in your Recently Deleted album.

The newly expanded duplicate-detection feature will undoubtedly prove useful as, in many cases, iCloud Shared Photo Libraries are used by family members or close friends who already have copies of the same photos and videos in their personal libraries shared by other means, such as iMessage or Whatsapp.

However, as always, any kind of automatic bulk deletion should be approached with a degree of caution, especially when it comes to irreplaceable photos and videos. Many users will have no backup copies of their images outside of iCloud, so any slip-ups here could prove disastrous. After all, iCloud has suffered serious problems in this area before.

Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram

MORE FROM FORBESNew Pixel 8 Pro Leak Reveals Google's Latest Camera TricksMORE FROM FORBESGoogle Leaks Exciting New Google Photos Feature