How to Remove Duplicate MP4 Files on Mac? – A Quick Guide

Highlights: Tired of sorting through similar video files on your Mac? No problem! Our guide on “How to Remove Duplicate MP4 Files on Mac?” has you covered.

MP4 files are part of our daily life, whether they’re informative, motivational, instructional, or cinematic clips. We often create folders to keep our favorite MP4 files, but inadvertently end up with duplicates, making our collection messy.

Searching for a specific movie file amidst the chaos becomes a challenge. To address this issue, consider the solutions below. We’ve covered both manual (free) and professional (quick) methods thoroughly, giving you options to organize your video files. If you have other video formats to deal with, check out our guide on “How to Delete Duplicate Videos on macOS?”

Free Up Space Now: Why You Should Delete Duplicate MP4s on Mac?

Reasons to eliminate identical clips on macOS entails various outcomes:

Storage Concerns:

Duplicate MP4 files on your Mac devour precious disk space, leading to storage constraints.

Organizational Hassles:

Identical clips create disorder, complicating file organization and structure.

Backup Expansion:

Unnecessary duplication contributes to a larger backup size, consuming additional storage resources.

Identification Challenges:

Copies hinder the clear identification of original MP4 files, posing a challenge in file management.

Data Recovery Complications:

Duplicates can impede data recovery efforts after a system failure, increasing potential data loss.

Time-Consuming Searches:

Clones extend the time spent searching for MP4 files, impacting efficiency.

Risk of Deletion Errors:

Manual management heightens the risk of inadvertently deleting crucial MP4 files, posing a potential risk.

Effective Duplicate Handling:

Employ specialized software to streamline and enhance the efficiency of duplicate deletion.

Routine System Cleanup:

Conduct regular maintenance to uphold an organized file system, ensuring optimal performance.

How to Delete Duplicate MP4 Files on Mac OS Using Finder?

Discover a method to eliminate duplicate video clips through the Finder application:

• Launch Finder and locate the MP4 files folder in Applications.
• In the video storage folder, switch to “List” view and sort by name or size.
• Identify duplicate MP4 files manually by checking for identical names or sizes.
• Select duplicates using the Command key, right-click, and opt for “Move to Trash” to delete.

How to Get Rid of Duplicate MP4 Files on macOS through Terminal?

This section details the technical steps to identify and remove identical MP4 files from the media library. Basic familiarity with Terminal app commands is necessary. Now, let’s delve into the process.

• To begin, access Terminal by navigating to Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
• Next, move to the video directory using ‘cd‘ (e.g., cd /path/to/video/folder).

Now, identify duplicates by executing the command:

find . -type f -exec md5 {} \; | sort | uniq -w32 -d –all-repeated=separate

Following identification, manually delete duplicates using ‘rm’ (e.g., rm /path/to/duplicate/video).

Important considerations:

– Always back up files before deletion to prevent accidental loss.

– Exercise caution, as Terminal commands have the potential to permanently remove files.

How to Find and Delete Duplicate MP4 files on Mac with Photos App?

This technique isn’t a go-to for users, as Photos App mainly deals with images. Surprisingly, it’s quite versatile with videos too. Let’s delve in:

Start with Photos

Initiate by opening your Mac’s “Photos” app.

Incorporate MP4s

Simply drag and drop MP4 files or utilize “Import” for non-library files.

Create a Smart Album

Go to “File” in the menu, then opt for “New Smart Album.”

Specify criteria like File Name or Date to pinpoint duplicates.

Assess the Smart Album

Examine the Smart Album for matched MP4 files, identifying any duplicates.

Delete Duplicate MP4s

Choose duplicates in the Smart Album, hit “Delete,” and confirm.

Clear Recently Deleted

Deleted MP4s go to “Recently Deleted.” For a permanent removal, go there, choose MP4s, and click “Delete All” or “Recover.”

Shortcomings in the Manual Solutions to Delete Duplicate MP4 Files

Users often encounter challenges when removing duplicate MP4 files. The identification and deletion of files strain computing power, leading to delays. Free processes heighten the risk of unintentional data loss. Manual deletion may overlook storage optimization opportunities, and easily accessible methods become impractical with expanding datasets.

Consistent file naming is relied upon for accuracy, yet it impacts efficiency. Complimentary deduplication requires frequent adjustments. Manual processes pose risks by exposing sensitive information. Identifying legitimate versions among duplicates proves challenging. Meeting regulations is difficult without automated solutions. Existing processes lack flexibility for deduplication criteria, creating additional challenges in this domain.

How to Remove Duplicate MP4 Files on macOS? – A Master Tech

While this method is free, it has some drawbacks. However, choosing the simplest and most efficient duplicate finder Mac can address this issue on Mac Big Sur, Ventura, Sonoma, and all versions. Moreover, this tool swiftly removes redundant files with just a few clicks. 

Noteworthy attributes of this application include its simplicity and effectiveness.

• Efficiently scan files with our smart recognition engine. 
• Opt for recursive scanning. 
• Remove or relocate duplicate video files seamlessly. 
• Explore 70+ file extensions like .mp3, .avi, .png, .jpg. and many more. 
• Identify visually identical images effortlessly. 
• Your data stays secure throughout the scanning process. 
• Experience the benefits with our free trial version.

Efficiently manage and declutter your macOS system by following these steps:

• Obtain and install the Duplicate Video File Finder Tool.
• Select your target folder by clicking “Add Folder.”
• Customize scan preferences in the dialog box (e.g., MP4, AVI). Click “Continue.”
• Easily delete duplicate video files with a simple click on “Delete.”
• Post-elimination, verify actions under “Deleted” in the Action tag.

Also Read: How to Delete Duplicate MP3 Files on Mac?

Final Takeaway

In this blog, we delve into erasing duplicate MP4 files on Mac OS. Initially, we explore manual and expert methods for eliminating similar video clips on macOS Ventura and older versions. Despite the cost-effectiveness of manual approaches, their reliability often falls short. Therefore, we recommend opting for a dedicated duplicate video removal application.