How to Delete Multiple Photos on Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Deleting multiple photos on your Mac can free up valuable storage space and help you organize your photo library. Whether you’re using the Photos app or have images scattered across your hard drive, this guide provides several methods to efficiently delete multiple photos.

Using Smart Folders to Locate and Delete Photos

If your photos aren’t managed by the Photos app, they might be dispersed in various folders on your hard drive. Smart Folders, a macOS feature, can help you quickly gather all images for easy deletion:

1. Open Finder: Launch a new Finder window.
2. Create a Smart Folder: Navigate to File > Smart Folder.
3. Select Search Location: Ensure “This Mac” is chosen in the search location dropdown.
4. Add Search Criteria: Click the “+” button to add a new search criterion.
5. Specify Image Type: In the first dropdown menu, keep “Kind” selected. Change the second dropdown to “Image.”

This process creates a Smart Folder containing every image on your Mac, including those within applications or received via email. Exercise caution when deleting from this folder, as removing images essential to app functionality may cause issues. Ensure you’re confident about deleting a file before proceeding.

Deleting Photos from the Photos App

The Photos app offers a straightforward way to delete multiple photos:

1. Open Photos: Launch the Photos application.
2. Select Photos: Click on the first photo you want to delete. To select multiple contiguous photos, hold down the Shift key and click the last photo in the sequence. For non-contiguous selections, hold down the Command key while clicking individual photos.
3. Delete: Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

To permanently remove the deleted photos from your Mac, right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select “Empty Trash.”

Deleting an Entire Photo Library

For a fresh start, you can delete your entire photo library:

1. Navigate to Pictures Folder: Open Finder and go to Go > Home > Pictures.
2. Locate Photo Library: Find the file named “Photos Library.”
3. Move to Trash: Right-click on “Photos Library” and select “Move to Trash.”

Emptying the Trash will permanently remove the library from your hard drive. The next time you open Photos, a new, empty library will be created.

Troubleshooting Deletion Issues

If you encounter problems deleting photos, consider these common causes:

• Album View Deletion: Deleting in Album view only removes the photo from the album, not the entire library. Switch to Photos view for complete deletion.
• Photo Stream Deletion: Deleting from Photo Stream, an iCloud feature, might not remove the photo from your main library. Confirm deletion in the library itself.

By understanding these methods and troubleshooting tips, you can effectively manage and delete multiple photos on your Mac, ensuring a clutter-free and organized photo library.