Guide
Find duplicate photos, and keep the right one.
The same shoot copied to three drives adds up. Here’s how to see what’s repeated and clear it without losing anything.
In short: Add your folders to Sift and open Find duplicates. Sift separates exact copies from look-alikes such as bursts, marks a copy to keep and ticks the extras on your computer. Extras go to the Trash or Recycle Bin, and one of each photo always stays.
No editor needed. Sift works on its own as a desktop app on Mac and Windows: search, preview, build Selects and share footage by link without opening an editor. The editor panels are optional.
Exact copies and look-alikes
An exact copy is the same file saved again. A look-alike is a different file showing nearly the same thing, like the next frame in a burst. Sift shows them separately and never ticks look-alikes for you, because either could be the one you want.
Before you clear anything
- Plug in every drive you want compared.
- Keep a separate backup. A copy on another drive may be that backup, so think before removing it.
- Review the list before moving files to the Trash.
Copies in Google Drive
Sift only reads Google Drive, so it can’t remove anything there. Those copies are shown with Open in Drive so you can decide for yourself.
Step by step.
- Add your folders
Add every folder or drive you want compared.
- Open Find duplicates
Sift shows exact copies and look-alike groups, and how much room the extras use.
- Review the picks
Sift marks a copy to keep and ticks the extras. Untick anything you’d rather leave.
- Move extras to the Trash
Nothing is permanently deleted until you empty the Trash or Recycle Bin.
Questions
Could Sift delete my only copy?
No. One of each photo always stays, and extras go to the Trash or Recycle Bin first.
Does it find edited versions?
An edited version is a different file. It may appear as a look-alike, and Sift won’t tick it for you.
Does it work on RAW files?
Yes, on your own drives.
Can I try it free?
Yes. Free for 3 days or 25 searches. No card. Then $99 a year.
Keep reading.
Try it on your own footage.
Free for 3 days or 25 searches. No card. Then $99 a year for one computer, Mac or Windows. Everything in Sift, including the optional editor panels and one free link to share footage.