Finding and deleting duplicate images, particularly smaller versions of larger ones, can significantly free up disk space on your Mac. This AppleScript automates the process, comparing image sizes to ensure you keep the highest-quality versions. However, proceed with extreme caution. Always back up your data before running any script that deletes files. This script is provided as-is, and I am not responsible for any data loss.
How the Script Works
This script works by:
- Selecting a folder: You'll be prompted to choose a folder containing your images.
- Finding image files: It identifies all image files (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc.) within the selected folder and its subfolders.
- Comparing image sizes and filenames: It compares each image to every other image in the folder, checking for duplicates based on identical filenames (ignoring case). If filenames match, it compares image sizes.
- Deleting smaller duplicates: If a duplicate is found and the currently processed image is smaller than its counterpart, it moves the smaller image to the trash. This ensures that you retain the larger, higher-resolution version of each image.
- Reporting: The script provides a summary of the process, including the number of duplicates found and deleted.
The AppleScript Code
on run
-- Get the folder from the user
set theFolder to choose folder with prompt "Select the folder containing images:"
if theFolder is false then return -- User cancelled
-- Get a list of all image files
tell application "Finder"
set imageFiles to every file of theFolder whose name extension is in {"jpg", "jpeg", "png", "gif", "tiff", "bmp"}
end tell
-- Process each image file
repeat with anImage in imageFiles
tell application "Finder"
set imageFileName to name of anImage
set imagePath to POSIX path of anImage
set imageSize to size of anImage
end tell
-- Compare with other images
repeat with anotherImage in imageFiles
if anImage is not anotherImage then -- Avoid self-comparison
tell application "Finder"
set anotherImageFileName to name of anotherImage
set anotherImagePath to POSIX path of anotherImage
set anotherImageSize to size of anotherImage
end tell
-- Compare filenames (case-insensitive)
if imageFileName = anotherImageFileName then
-- Compare sizes and delete smaller image
if imageSize < anotherImageSize then
tell application "Finder" to move anImage to trash
log "Deleted smaller duplicate: " & imagePath
exit repeat -- Move to the next image after deleting a duplicate
else if anotherImageSize < imageSize then
tell application "Finder" to move anotherImage to trash
log "Deleted smaller duplicate: " & anotherImagePath
exit repeat -- Move to the next image after deleting a duplicate
end if
end if
end if
end repeat
end repeat
-- Report results
display dialog "Script completed. " & (count of imageFiles) & " images processed." buttons {"OK"} default button 1
end run
Important Considerations
- Backups: Always back up your data before running this script. While I've tested this, errors can occur, and data loss is always a possibility.
- File Names: This script relies on identical filenames to identify duplicates. If you have images with the same names but different content, they will be treated as duplicates. Consider adding a date or other unique identifier to your filenames to reduce the chance of accidental deletions.
- Image Formats: This script supports common image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP). You can add or remove extensions from the list as needed.
- Error Handling: The script lacks robust error handling. A more sophisticated version might include checks for file access issues or other potential problems.
- Large Libraries: For very large image libraries, this script might take considerable time to run. Consider optimizing the script or processing the files in batches.
This enhanced script provides a more robust solution for identifying and deleting duplicate images, keeping the larger versions. Remember to always back up your data before running any script that modifies or deletes files. Remember to save the code as an AppleScript file (.scpt) and run it. Choose your image folder carefully.
