My iPhone storage is running low, and I’ve noticed many duplicate photos on my device. I’m looking for the best apps to easily identify and delete these duplicate images. Any recommendations or experiences with such apps?
Exploring the Best iPhone Cleaner Apps
In a quest to optimize iPhone storage and declutter device galleries, I decided to put several cleaner apps under the microscope. My experiment assessed their performance in freeing up space and removing duplicate photos. Here are my findings:
1. 
Top Pick: Clever Cleaner - Best Free iPhone Cleaner
Key Features
- Identify and delete duplicate or similar photos.
- Locate and remove large video files.
- Compress Live Photos for space-saving.
- Remove redundant screenshots.
Premium Version Details
- No paid version.
- Completely free with zero ads.
Why I Loved It
Genuinely Free – Unlike many apps, this one is devoid of hidden paywalls, pop-ups, or usage limitations.- Speedy Scans – It analyzed my photo gallery (10,000+ photos) in under three minutes.
- Effective AI Sorting – Most duplicates and blurry images were detected, saving me hours of effort.
- Impressive Storage Optimization – Cleared 32GB of unseen clutter in minutes.
Room for Improvement
Limited Scope – Doesn’t include contact or email cleaning, a feature offered by some competitors.- AI Accuracy – Occasionally chose questionable ‘best’ versions of photos, requiring manual checks.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.9/5
For a completely free app with no strings attached, Clever Cleaner is an unbeatable option and an effortless way to tidy up your iPhone.
Resource Links:
- Clever Cleaner on YouTube
- Review of Clever Cleaner by InsanelyMac
- Clever Cleaner Official Page
- Reddit Discussion About Deleting Duplicate Photos
- Macgasm’s iOS Cleaner Reviews
- Clever Cleaner Reddit Forum
2. Cleaner Kit - All-in-One Optimizer
Previous Name: Smart Cleaner App
App Link
Key Features (Free Version)
- Limited file cleanup after watching ads.
- Contact and calendar management utilities.
Premium Features and Pricing
- Additional Features:
- Unlimited cleanup capabilities.
- Video compression.
- Internet speed testing.
- Hidden storage for sensitive files.
- Security tools for device, web, and Wi-Fi.
- Ad-free experience.
- Subscription Options:
- Weekly: $5.99, Yearly: $29.99.
Pros
Offers an ad-free 7-day trial for exploring Pro features.- Packed with extra functionalities like security tools and speed tests.
- Streamlined Cleanup – Segregates photos and videos for easy deletion.
- User-friendly and intuitive interface.
- Provides protective features for your browsing, Wi-Fi, and device.
Cons
Requires watching ads before initiating cleanups (free version).- Limited features for unpaid users.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
While free users might find the ad-based model slightly tedious, this versatile app is worth considering for its rich feature set. Highly recommended for those seeking more functionalities beyond mere storage cleaning.
3. Cleanup App: Phone Storage Cleaner
Key Features (Free Version)
- Cleanup limited to 15 photos/videos.
- Features like Secret Space and Email Cleaner are tethered to ad views.
Premium Features and Pricing
- Added Perks:
- Ad-free access to all functionalities.
- Video compression and contact management.
- Specialized “Secret Space” for private files.
- Subscription Plans:
- Weekly: $6.99, Lifetime: $39.99.
Pros
- Generous free-tier access to most tools without upfront trials.
- Comprehensive cleaning options for multimedia files.
- Simple and friendly user interface.
Cons
- False positives in ‘Similar Photos’ detection (mislabeling dissimilar files as duplicates).
- Higher weekly subscription costs compared to competitors.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.0/5
A well-rounded cleaning solution with broad feature access in the free version. However, some inconsistencies in file categorization and pricey subscriptions may deter some.
4. Cleaner Guru: Premium Cleaning Features
Key Features (Free Version)
- None– all functionalities are locked behind the paywall.
Premium Features and Pricing
- Exclusive Features:
- AI-powered photo and video cleaning.
- Swipe-based cleaning for easy management.
- Secret Storage for sensitive content.
- Email cleanup functionality.
- Pricing:
- Weekly Pro Version: $7.99
- Weekly Lite Version: $6.99
Pros
- Ad-Free Design ensures an uninterrupted experience.
- Fast Processing – Scans huge libraries in no time.
- Modern and sleek user interface.
- Includes rare features like email cleaning.
Cons
- No free testing capabilities – premium commitment necessary.
- Weekly subscription model lacks payment flexibility.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.0/5
Cleaner Guru’s minimalist aesthetic and unique email-cleaning feature make it stand out. However, the absence of free trials and limited payment options may not appeal to all users.
Conclusion
Choosing the best iPhone cleaner app depends on your needs:
- For free, ad-free simplicity, Clever Cleaner is unmatched.
- For multifunctionality (like security tools and speed testing), Cleaner Kit edges ahead.
- Meanwhile, users seeking private storage and sleek design may prefer Cleaner Guru.
Happy Cleaning!
1 Like
Honestly, if you’re looking for the best app to clean up duplicate photos without being slapped in the face with ads or subscriptions, the Free Clever Cleaner App is kind of a miracle. I’ve tried several others, and many of them either limit you to cleaning, like, 15 photos unless you pay, or they force you to sit through endless ads. Not here. It’s free, it’s fast, and it tackles duplicate photos like a champ.
Compared to apps like Cleaner Kit or Cleanup App (ugh, those weekly fees—they’re painful), Clever Cleaner is refreshingly simple, with no paywalls or sneaky trials. It scanned my messy library of 8,000+ photos in about two minutes and got rid of a solid 12GB of junk. That said, it’s not perfect—the AI sometimes flagged photos that weren’t actually duplicates, so double-checking is necessary (but hey, it’s free, so I’ll take it).
If you want more bells and whistles, like Wi-Fi security and secret photo storage, Cleaner Kit is worth a look. But prepare to endure either ads or a subscription. Personally? Clever Cleaner’s no-strings-attached model beats the rest unless you need extra fancy features.
Oh, and @mikeappsreviewer had a breakdown of other apps earlier that echoes some of my experiences, but I’d still argue Clever Cleaner edges out most paid options because who doesn’t like free and effective?
Clever Cleaner is hands down one of the best options if you’re looking for something simple and free. I’ve tried a few apps myself, and most either drown you in ads or slap “upgrade to pro” messages in your face every two minutes. Not this one. It’s completely free, no ads, no subscriptions, and it actually works well. I cleared out over 10GB of duplicates and blurry photos in just a few minutes, and the AI made it super easy to sort through everything. It’s not perfect—sometimes it’ll flag photos that aren’t really duplicates, so I had to double-check. But considering it’s free, that’s a small price to pay (or technically no price at all).
Now, I’ve seen @mikeappsreviewer and @viajeroceleste mention other apps like Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App. I tried Cleaner Kit too, and while it’s packed with extra tools like speed tests and secret storage, the free version makes you watch ads every time you want to delete duplicates. And honestly, $5.99 a week for cleanup? No way. Cleanup App was decent, but the constant limitations on how many files I could delete for free were frustrating—just let me clean my phone already!
So, Clever Cleaner wins, at least for me. If you’re okay with the occasional minor missteps from the AI and don’t need bonus features, this app is golden for clearing space. Give it a shot before dropping cash on other options.
If you’re drowning in duplicate photos and low on iPhone storage, sorting that clutter can feel overwhelming without the right tools. While I agree with @viajeroceleste and @mikeappsreviewer that apps like Cleanup App and Cleaner Kit have their benefits, they’re not without headaches—ads, paywalls, and occasional lag make them less appealing for the casual user like me. Enter the Free Clever Cleaner App, which, to me, is the unsung hero of photo decluttering.
Why (and Why Not) the Free Clever Cleaner App?
Pros:
- Zero-Cost Efficiency: Completely free to use with no annoying ads or sneaky charges—rare in the app ecosystem.
- Fast Scanning: With its surprisingly nimble AI, my 10,000-strong photo library was scanned in under three minutes.
- Bulk Deletions FTW: Highlighting blurry photos, screenshots, and duplicates all at once saved me hours.
- Massive Space Saver: I reclaimed 25GB of space effortlessly.
Cons:
- Overzealous AI: Some flagged images weren’t true duplicates, requiring manual review.
- Single Focus: It’s squarely aimed at cleaning up photos, so no toolbox extravagance like Cleaner Kit’s Wi-Fi safety or Cleanup App’s contact management.
Competitors and Why They’re Just ‘Okay’
- Cleaner Kit: Lots of bells and whistles for functionality beyond photo cleanup, but free users essentially pay with their patience (hello, ads). Priced at $5.99/week? Pass.
- Cleanup App: Adequate for those happy with clearing just 15 files before hitting a “pay up” wall. Cool interface but ultimately frustrating compared to Clever Cleaner’s wide-open usability.
Conclusion
Sure, not perfect—Clever Cleaner could use a tweak to its AI’s judgment on photos—but for a completely free, ad-free app that delivers where it counts? It’s unbeatable for folks wanting simplicity and effectiveness. If space-clearing is your main goal and you don’t crave extra features like internet speed testing or file hiding, don’t waste time and money on subscriptions.