Why name-based search fails

Finder search and "same name" tools miss the duplicates that cost the most space: IMG_4021.jpg vs IMG_4021 copy.jpg, or a PDF you downloaded twice into different folders. Same bytes, different paths.

Hash-based detection fingerprints file content. If the hash matches, the files are identical — regardless of the filename.

How Duply handles duplicates

  1. Scan the folders you grant access to
  2. Group identical files and show savings per group
  3. You choose which copy to keep; extras go to Trash by default

Nothing is removed until you approve it. Protected paths stay untouched. Duply also cleans junk and large files in the same app — see how to free up disk space on a Mac.

Where duplicates usually hide

  • Downloads and Desktop clutter
  • Photo and video exports
  • Project folders with "final_v2" copies
  • Cloud sync folders with re-downloaded archives