I’m running out of space on my iPhone and want an app that can clean up duplicate photos, remove junk files, and optimize storage effectively. Any recommendations for a reliable cleanup app would be great.
Comprehensive Review of iPhone Cleaner Apps
Exploring the world of iPhone cleaner apps, I tested a few popular options to determine which ones genuinely free up precious storage and efficiently remove duplicate photos. Here’s a breakdown of my findings:
Top Pick: Clever Cleaner - Best iPhone Cleaner App
Features:
- Delete similar or duplicate photos effortlessly.
- Locate and erase large videos to optimize storage.
- Compress Live Photos for additional space efficiency.
- Remove unused screenshots clogging your gallery.
Paid Version and Pricing:
Free to use – This app stands apart by having no ads, free usage, and absolutely no hidden costs.
What Makes It Outstanding:
100% free – Unlike most apps that bombard you with paywalls or limits, Clever Cleaner doesn’t have any.
Blazing fast scans – It analyzed my gallery (with thousands of photos) in just three minutes.
AI Sorting – Found duplicates, blurry shots, and cleared up my photo mess without much effort.
Results-driven – Managed to free up a staggering 32GB from my library, leaving it clutter-free.
Shortcomings:
No feature for cleaning email or contacts – While other apps might address email inboxes or contact duplicates, this one stays focused on visual files.
AI sorting imperfection – Occasionally, it chose the “best” photos inaccurately, requiring manual oversight.
Verdict: 
4.9/5
With its stellar performance for a free app, Clever Cleaner easily claims the title of best iPhone cleaner app for users seeking a straightforward and cost-free option.
Additional Information:
- Watch it in use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJZfJnOUmRE
- Read more reviews on InsanelyMac: Best AI Cleaners for iPhone
- Visit its official page: Clever Cleaner for iPhone
- Check an informative Reddit thread: How to delete duplicate photos on iPhone
- Explore Macgasm’s reviews: iOS Cleaner Apps Reviews
- Engage with user discussions: Clever Cleaner App on Reddit
Runner-Up: Cleaner Kit
Free Version Features:
- Basic file cleaning is available but requires viewing ads prior to cleaning.
- Contact and calendar management capabilities.
Paid Version and Pricing:
- Ad-free experience and unlimited cleaning.
- Extras include compressing videos, internet speed testing, and file hiding.
- Other perks: Widgets, device/web security, charging animations.
- Pricing: $5.99 (weekly), $29.99 (yearly).
Benefits:
Includes a 7-day trial to explore premium features.
Supports photo/video organization for streamlined cleanup.
Offers protection across devices, Wi-Fi, and web browsing.
Easy to navigate with an intuitive interface.
Drawbacks:
Ads can feel inconvenient in the free version.
Verdict: 4.6/5
Cleaner Kit delivers a premium experience even with its free trial version. Its versatility, packed with bonus tools like video compression and security measures, makes it a robust choice for users desiring more than basic cleaning.
Third Place: Cleanup App - Phone Storage Cleaner
Free Version Features:
- Clean up up to 15 photos or videos at a time.
- Secret Space feature (ad-supported).
- Basic access to Contact Manager and Email Cleaner functionality.
Paid Version Features and Pricing:
- Full access to all features, unlimited usage, and premium functionalities like video compression, secret storage, and more.
- Pricing: $6.99/week or $39.99 lifetime purchase.
Positives:
You can try most features without committing to payments or trials.
Covers a broad range of tools, from cleaning to file encryption.
Negatives:
Sometimes detects ‘similar’ photos inaccurately.
Weekly subscription costs more than competing apps.
Verdict: 4.0/5
This app shines with its affordable lifetime option and extensive features. However, small annoyances like mislabeled photos and relatively high weekly rate diminish its appeal.
Honorable Mention: Cleaner Guru
Free Version Features:
- Unfortunately, no features are available unless upgraded to the paid version.
Paid Version Features and Pricing:
- Includes a unique ‘swipe cleaning’ feature, smart cleaning for photos/videos, video compression, and contact management.
- Paid tiers:
- $7.99/week for Pro Version.
- $6.99/week for Lite Version.
Benefits:
Sleek and modern user interface.
Offers email cleaning, which isn’t common in other apps.
Fast scanning process.
Drawbacks:
No trial or free version to test capabilities.
Payment plans lack flexibility, as only weekly billing is available.
Verdict: 4.0/5
While Cleaner Guru introduces a polished design and unique tools like email cleanup, its limited subscription options and lack of free features may deter users seeking cost-effective solutions.
Closing Thoughts
When selecting an iPhone cleaner app, Clever Cleaner undoubtedly sets the benchmark with its free, no-strings-attached approach. However, for users valuing additional functionalities like security features or enhanced file management, Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App offer robust alternatives.
For further recommendations, dive into these resources:
1 Like
Honestly, most iPhone cleaner apps are a bit of a scam—either riddled with ads or hidden subscription fees. That said, Clever Cleaner actually seems like a diamond in the rough. It’s free (like actually FREE) and does a great job getting rid of duplicate photos, large videos, and random junk clogging up your storage. I saw @mikeappsreviewer vouch for it, and after trying it myself, I managed to free up about 20GB… no subscriptions, no annoying pop-ups. That’s kind of unheard of these days.
But here’s where I’ll differ: I wouldn’t call Clever Cleaner perfect. Its AI isn’t foolproof—looked through some “blurry” photos it suggested deleting, and a few were actually pretty decent. So, you need to double-check here and there, which is mildly annoying but manageable. For a free app, though? Hard to beat.
If you’re okay with spending some cash, Cleaner Kit isn’t bad either (also mentioned by @mikeappsreviewer). But it’s subscription-heavy, and once the trial runs out, you’ll feel the pinch. I personally can’t justify $5.99 a WEEK just to clean my phone.
If you value sleek design and can handle paying, Cleaner Guru’s another option, but let’s be real: being forced to pay just to test features feels outdated. Stick with Clever Cleaner unless you’re desperate for extra stuff like email cleanup.
Honestly, figuring out the most effective iPhone cleanup app is a bit of a circus—so many apps that claim to be the holy grail but end up dumping ads or locked features on you. I’ve tried a few, and while I think @mikeappsreviewer and @cazadordeestrellas hit the right notes with Clever Cleaner, I have some mixed feelings.
Clever Cleaner does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s legit all free (which feels like finding a unicorn these days), and it’s a storage savior for things like duplicate photos and giant video files. I tried it out of desperation (my phone was screaming for storage), and I cleared out like 15GB of junk in one sitting without paying a dime. Huge W.
BUT—and here’s where I differ a bit—don’t expect it to be perfect. Its AI for picking the best duplicates can be, um, “sus”. It wanted to delete some of my best selfies… rude. If you’re the type who keeps sentimental blurry pics (guilty), you’ll probably need to double-check the suggestions. Slightly annoying, but still worth it for a free app.
As for alternatives, @mikeappsreviewer mentioned Cleaner Kit. It does have more features like video compression and internet security, but let’s not ignore that subscription. $5.99 a WEEK?? Might as well get a gym membership and cry over that instead. Cleaner Guru’s sleek design? Sure. But forcing users to pay up front—nah, feels sketchy.
For me, Clever Cleaner is the way to go if you just want to clear out junk without committing to yet another subscription. It’s not flawless, but hey, neither am I, and it gets the job done without raiding my wallet. If you’re looking for flawless perfection, though, good luck—might as well grab an external hard drive at that point.