Duplicate photos and files take up valuable space in your Google Drive. They often result from repeated uploads or sync issues. This guide covers how to use Google Drive remove duplicates tools and methods—both manual and automated so you can clean up clutter, free up storage, and keep your Drive organized with minimal effort.
Many Google Drive users face the frustrating problem of duplicate files cluttering their storage. This often happens when people work across multiple devices, collaborate with others, or use backup and sync tools without realizing duplicates are being created. Over time, these copies can consume valuable storage space and make file management difficult.
Here are the main reasons why Google Drive has multiple copies of the same files:
📤 Multiple uploads: Uploading the same file from different devices or accounts.
🔄 Sync errors: Backup and sync tools accidentally re-upload files.
🗃️ Different file names: Identical files saved under different names remain separate.
🔂 Manual duplication: Users re-upload or save different versions without deleting originals.
🔔 Lack of automatic detection: Google Drive doesn’t automatically find or merge duplicates.
This problem is especially common with photos stored in Google Drive, where duplicates often pile up unnoticed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to deal with it using practical steps and GDrive find duplicate tips to help you clean up and organize your photo storage.
Many users want a simple way to help Google Drive find duplicate files, but the platform does not offer a built-in solution. Manually reviewing your files remains the most direct option, especially when you manage a small number of photos or documents. By sorting files by name or date and visually comparing them, you can identify duplicates and remove them one by one.
This method gives you full control and avoids the need to connect third-party apps. However, it requires time, attention to detail, and patience—especially when duplicates have different names or exist across multiple folders. Still, for users who value accuracy and privacy, manually cleaning Google Drive remains a practical and effective solution.
📝 Here’s exactly how to delete duplicate photos in Google Drive manually in easy steps:
Step 1. Open Google Drive and sign in with your account.
Step 2. In the search bar at the top, type "type:image" and press Enter to filter and show only photos.
Step 3. Click the grid view icon (top-right corner) to display your photos as thumbnails for easier comparison.
Step 4. Sort the photos by name or last modified date by clicking the respective column headers, helping group possible duplicates.
Step 5. Select the duplicate photos by clicking each while holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac), then right-click and choose Remove. Finally, go to the Trash folder and empty it to free up space permanently.
If you sync your Google Drive photos with Google Photos, you can use Google Photos to help delete duplicate photos on Google Drive more easily. Google Photos offers a visual interface that groups similar photos, making it simpler to spot duplicates you might miss when browsing in Drive. While Google Photos doesn’t automatically remove duplicates, its album and assistant features help you identify repeated images quickly.
To get started, make sure your Google Drive photos are synced with Google Photos. Then, browse your photo library or use the search feature to find similar images. When you find duplicates, select and delete the unwanted copies. Keep in mind that deleting photos from Google Photos may also remove them from Google Drive if syncing is enabled, so proceed carefully to avoid losing important pictures.
📝 Let’s now walk through a simple guide on how to remove duplicate photos in Google Drive manually:
Step 1. Open Google Photos and sign in with the same Google account linked to your Google Drive.
Step 2. Make sure your Google Drive photos are synced with Google Photos. If not, enable syncing by going to Google Photos settings, then toggling on “Google Drive” under the “Google Drive” section.
Step 3. Browse your Google Photos library, where images are displayed with thumbnails, making it easier to spot duplicates visually.
Step 4. Use the search bar or scroll through your albums to find similar or repeated photos. Google Photos’ assistant feature may also suggest duplicates or similar images. Select the duplicate photos you want to remove by clicking on them, then click the trash icon to delete.
Step 5. Remember, if syncing is enabled, deleting photos here will also delete them from Google Drive. After deletion, empty the Trash in Google Photos to permanently free up space.
Google Workspace Add-ons provide an easy way to remove duplicate files from Google Drive without leaving the platform. These tools scan your Drive for duplicates by comparing file names, sizes, or content, making it simple to identify repeated photos or documents.
Popular add-ons like Duplicate File Finder and Pics.io integrate directly with Google Drive, allowing you to scan specific folders or your entire storage. After granting permission, the add-ons display potential duplicates so you can preview and select files to delete in bulk. This approach saves time compared to manual cleanup and reduces the risk of accidentally deleting important files. Using add-ons is a smart, efficient solution to keep your Google Drive organized and clutter-free.
📝 Here’s a guide on how to make Google Drive remove duplicate files using a free add-on:
Step 1. Go to Google Workspace Marketplace and search for “Duplicate File Finder, Cleaner for Drive” by Apps on Air. Click Install and allow the required permissions.
Step 2. Open Google Drive, click the Extensions menu at the top, select "Duplicate File Finder", and choose Open Sidebar to launch the tool.
Step 3. In the sidebar, click Select Folders, then choose the folder(s) you want to scan for duplicates. You can also scan your entire Drive.
Step 4. Click Scan for Duplicate Files. The tool will search for duplicates based on name, size, and location.
Step 5. Review the duplicate results, check the boxes next to the files you want to delete, and click Delete Selected Files. Then go to your Drive's Trash and empty it to permanently free up space.
Third-party tools offer a fast and accurate way to remove duplicate photos from Google Drive, especially when managing thousands of images. These tools scan your Drive using content-based comparison, not just file names or sizes, which helps catch even subtle duplicates. Many tools also group similar photos and allow quick bulk deletion, reducing time spent on manual cleanup.
This method works best for users who want automation and accept giving limited access to their Drive. However, some tools may raise privacy concerns and require a paid plan for advanced features. Users should review flagged files carefully before deleting anything, as automatic detection can include near-duplicates or edited versions that still hold value.
📝 Follow this guide to learn how to delete duplicate photos in Google Drive using a reliable third-party tool:
Step 1. Visit CloudDuplicateFinder.com, click Create an Account, then log in to your account.
Step 2. In the left panel, choose Google Drive, then click Add New Drive. Sign in with your Google account and click Allow to grant access.
Step 3. Select the Google Drive folder(s) you want to scan and click Scan. When the scan finishes, click OK to view the results.
Step 4. On the main screen, manually select the duplicates you want to remove, or use the Select Duplicates dropdown to auto-select.
Step 5. Click Select Action > Permanent Delete to remove duplicate photos, documents, and other files from Google Drive permanently.
Since duplicate photos can quickly fill up your Google Drive storage and sometimes removing them isn’t enough, backing up your pictures to tools like CBackup offers an effective way to free space and manage your files more efficiently.
CBackup offers an effective solution to simplify file management and reduce duplicate photos in Google Drive. Connecting multiple Google Drive accounts and merging cloud storage gives you more space without extra cost. This tool syncs files directly between clouds, ensuring your data stays up to date across accounts.
You can also schedule backups to protect your files regularly and prevent accidental loss. Consolidating your Google Drive storage with CBackup helps you avoid uploading duplicates and keeps your files organized. Additionally, it enables quick and secure transfer of files between different cloud services. If you want to save time and maintain a clutter-free Drive, CBackup makes managing your cloud files easy and efficient.
📝 Use CBackup to merge multiple cloud accounts and gain more free storage by following these steps:
Step 1. Visit CBackup.com and create a free account, then log in.
Step 2. Click Storage on the left panel, select Google Drive, and authorize CBackup to access your Drive. Then, click on the "+ Add Combined Cloud" to add multiple Google Drive accounts.
Step 3. Go to the Backup tab on the CBackup dashboard.
Step 4. Click Backup PC to Cloud, then select the combined cloud storage you created as the backup destination.
Step 5. Choose the folder on your PC containing your photos, start the backup process, and CBackup will upload your photos to the combined cloud, using the merged storage space efficiently.
In this post, we explored several effective ways to remove duplicate files from Google Drive, including manual cleanup, using Google Photos, Google Workspace add-ons, and third-party tools. Each method has its benefits and limitations, so choose the one that best fits your needs.
Additionally, managing your Drive storage efficiently with tools like CBackup can help prevent clutter and free up space. By applying these tips, you can keep your Google Drive organized, optimize storage, and ensure easier access to your important files. Start removing duplicates today to maintain a clean and efficient Drive.
Still have questions about how to manage your storage or remove repeated files? Check out these frequently asked questions about how to remove duplicate files from Google Drive.
No, Google Drive does not have a built-in feature to automatically find duplicate files. It allows you to upload files with the same name or content without flagging them as duplicates. To identify and remove duplicates, you need to do it manually or use third-party tools, Google Photos (for synced images), or Google Workspace add-ons designed for this purpose.
If your Google Drive holds thousands of images, finding duplicates can become a challenge. Duplicate photos not only clutter your storage but also waste valuable space. Since Google Drive doesn’t offer a built-in duplicate finder, you need to rely on manual methods or third-party tools to manage duplicates effectively. Here's how to spot and remove duplicate photos from Google Drive step by step:
Uploading the same files multiple times can clutter your Google Drive and waste storage space. Unfortunately, Google Drive doesn’t warn you when you upload duplicate files, especially if they have different names. To keep your Drive clean and avoid this issue, follow these steps:
