Edited photos on iPhone 17 Pro with iOS 26.0.1 only save as duplicates

"Must save edited photos as a duplicate: I hear this has been an ongoing bug I just started experiencing it with iOS 26.0.1. When I first got the 17 pro, this was not an issue but now if I edit or mark up a photo my only option is to save it as a duplicate. It is super annoying to say the least. Is it possible that I changed some settings to cause this?"

-------

App Defaulting to Duplicating Edited Photos:

A. Which App is This?:

You don't always have to save edited photos as a duplicate in Photos, but other apps, like Google Photo, default to "Save a Copy" to preserve the original. 

B. Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, letting them know about this issue.  Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of this, if you don't report it to them.

1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
2. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: that this all began after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread.
4. Proceed from there as necessary

Maybe some more information would help:

• Are these pictures ones taken with your phone, or did they come from another source?
• Are you using iCloud Photos to synchronize your devices? If so

…Do you have “Optimize Storage” checked in Photos’ Settings

…Do you see all your iPhone pictures at iCloud.com?

…Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iCloud account?

• Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iPhone?
• Does "Done" or "OK" not show up at all?

"It’s in Photos on the iPhone. I reported the bug. Was hoping that there was some setting I could change that caused it."

-------

App Defaulting to Duplicating Edited Photos:

Rid of "System Data" (Formerly Called "Other"):

System Data is essential caches. These are made for the remembrance of app usage, so that they can be opened quicker and more responsive. Such items are included in Web browsers, so that you can open it when you are disconnected from the page you were viewing, like when your router goes out. For the note, in iOS versions way ago, this was called "Other". See my User Tip: How to Clear "System Data" in your iPhone's Storage: - Apple Community: