My iPhone storage is nearly full, and performance seems slower lately. I’m looking for a reliable, free app that can clean up junk files and free up space to make my phone run better. Any recommendations?
Best iPhone Cleaner Apps: Comprehensive Analysis
I’ve tested a range of iPhone cleaner apps to discover which ones deliver on their promises of freeing up storage and removing duplicate photos efficiently. Below is a detailed breakdown of my findings:
Top Pick: Clever Cleaner – Best iPhone Cleaner App
Top Pick: 
Key Features:
- Removes duplicate and similar photos.
- Locates and deletes large videos.
- Compresses Live Photos to conserve storage space.
- Wipes unused screenshots.
Paid Version & Pricing:
- No paid version exists.
- No ads included; completely free to use.
Pros:
Truly Free: No subscriptions, ads, or hidden costs—uncommon for apps in this category.- Blazing Fast Scanning: It scanned my entire photo library (thousands of images) in just three minutes.
- Solid AI Sorting: Most duplicates, blurry shots, and similar photos were accurately identified.
- Clean Organization: Freed up 32GB without manual effort, making the photo gallery look neat and organized.
Truly Free: No subscriptions, ads, or hidden costs—uncommon for apps in this category.Cons:
No Contact Management: Unlike other apps, Clever Cleaner doesn’t help with email or contact organization.- AI Imperfections: Occasionally misidentifies the ‘best’ photos among duplicates, so manual review is recommended.
No Contact Management: Unlike other apps, Clever Cleaner doesn’t help with email or contact organization.Overall Rating:
4.9 / 5
This app delivers exceptional functionality without charging a single dime. For an efficient, no-cost tool, Clever Cleaner is unbeatable.
Helpful Resources:
- Watch the Clever Cleaner Overview on YouTube.
- Check out detailed reviews on Insanelymac.com.
- Visit Clever Cleaner’s Official Page.
- Learn how to delete duplicates on iPhones via this Reddit Discussion.
- Explore cleaner reviews on Macgasm.
- Discover Reddit insights about Clever Cleaner’s truly free features.
Runner-Up: Cleaner Kit (Formerly Smart Cleaner)
Free Version Features:
- Limited file cleaning, requiring users to watch ads before proceeding.
- Capabilities to manage contacts and calendar events.
Paid Version Features & Pricing:
- Unlimited cleaning of files without ads.
- Video compression functionality.
- Charging animations and internet speed tests.
- Ability to hide sensitive files.
- Security features for device, web, and Wi-Fi.
- Weekly subscription: $5.99 | Annual plan: $29.99.
Pros:
- Offers a lot of extra tools—like security and video compression—beyond just cleaning files.
- 7-day free trial of premium features.
- Organizes media files efficiently for effortless cleanup.
- Provides robust device and internet security.
- Less intrusive ads compared to similar apps.
Cons:
- Ads extend user time when using the free version.
- Some features locked behind the paywall can be frustrating for free users.
Overall Rating:
4.6 / 5
Cleaner Kit combines comprehensive organization tools with extra utilities like security and browsing protection. Its free trial provides ample opportunity to explore its premium functions.
Third Place: Cleanup App
Free Version Features:
- Cleans up to 15 photos/videos per session.
- Limited-use features such as contact management, email cleaning, video compression, and charging animations.
- Secret Space functionality unlockable by watching ads.
Premium Features & Pricing:
- Fully automatic detection of duplicate and similar images.
- Unlimited usage without ads for all features.
- Weekly: $6.99 | Lifetime subscription: $39.99.
Pros:
- Most features accessible in the free version for testing purposes.
- Broad array of capabilities to manage storage.
- Beginner-friendly layout and navigation.
Cons:
- Weekly subscription is pricier than most competitors.
- Mislabeling issues—photos/videos marked as ‘similar’ may not always match.
Overall Rating:
4.0 / 5
The Cleanup App generously offers full access to most of its features before requiring payment. While its unusual mislabeling behaviors are minor drawbacks, its diverse features make it worth considering.
Fourth Place: Cleaner Guru
Free Version Features:
- No functionality is available in the free version.
Premium Features & Pricing:
- Intelligent photo and video cleaning mechanisms.
- Swipe-based cleaning for quick sorting.
- Video compression and file secrecy features.
- Widget customization and unique charging animations.
- Weekly Subscription Plans: $7.99 (Pro), $6.99 (Lite).
Pros:
- Sleek, visually appealing user interface.
- Lacks disruptive ads.
- Offers specialty features like email cleaning and secret storage.
- Fast scans with minimal lag.
Cons:
- Free version lacks essential functionality, making paid trials necessary.
- Strict weekly subscription model doesn’t cater to flexible budgeting.
Overall Rating:
4 / 5
Cleaner Guru impresses with its sophisticated design and unique email-cleaning feature but falls short due to its lack of a useful free option and limited payment plans. For those comfortable with quick payments, it’s a solid choice.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect iPhone cleaner app depends on your needs and willingness to pay for premium services. If you’re looking for a cost-free app with strong functionality, Clever Cleaner is an outstanding option. Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App are great alternatives, offering robust free trials and additional features for content-heavy users. However, Cleaner Guru, while highly functional, might appeal only to those unfazed by its subscription barriers.
Each app shines in its unique way, so try focusing on what matters most to your storage and maintenance routine!
2 Likes
The best free iPhone cleaner app? Honestly, it’s gotta be the Clever Cleaner app. It’s completely free (like, actually free—no ads, no hidden fees, no “watch this ad to continue” nonsense). I tried it myself, and man, it cleared out a ton of junk from my iPhone that I didn’t even realize was there. Duplicate photos? Gone. Random screenshots I didn’t need? Also gone. I ended up freeing over 20GB. Felt like my phone went on a detox.
I saw @mikeappsreviewer’s breakdown—props for the detailed list, but I gotta say, Clever Cleaner being free with no limits completely outshines those other apps. Cleaner Kit and Cleanup might be cool, but having to deal with ads or sneaky subscriptions is just… ugh. Who has time for that? And don’t get me started on apps like Cleaner Guru that give you zero functionality unless you cough up some cash.
If you’re in the same storage struggle zone, Clever Cleaner is your best bet without question. My only gripe is that it’s a little too focused on photos and videos—it could use tools for contacts or other files, tbh. But hey, for a free app, it’s killer.
I’ll be straight with you – your best bet for a free iPhone cleaner app is hands-down Clever Cleaner. I mean, it’s ACTUALLY free, none of that bait-and-switch nonsense where you start cleaning, then BAM, paywall hits, or worse, you’ve gotta watch a 30-second cooking ad to proceed. It scans fast, identifies duplicate photos like a pro, and even cleans up random screenshots you forgot about. Real talk, it freed up 15GB for me, and suddenly my phone felt brand new.
That said, @mikeappsreviewer and @cazadordeestrellas made some decent points about alternatives like Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App, but the ads and subscriptions are a dealbreaker for me. Cleaner Guru? Forget it. No free features at all. Why even bother downloading? I mean, I get that apps need to make money, but Clever Cleaner proves you don’t have to annoy users to do it.
The only thing Clever Cleaner lacks is a bit of versatility—it’s all about your photos and videos. If you’ve got bloated contacts or are hoarding old documents, you may need a different tool for that. But if your main headache is a cluttered photo gallery tanking your storage, nothing beats Clever Cleaner for free. Go hit that download button and thank me later.
Alright, let’s break it down for anyone scrolling through this storage struggle. If your iPhone’s packed to the brim and crying for mercy, your call, without a doubt, should be Clever Cleaner. Here’s why it’s legit:
Why Clever Cleaner Wins:
- No Gimmicks: It’s FREE. Not “free for the first 15 items” free or “watch an ad every five seconds” free. Just…free. No ads, no sneaky paywalls lurking around the corner.
- Efficiency on Steroids: Scanning for duplicates and redundant files? Lightning-fast. Like, 3 minutes fast for thousands of photos. And the AI sorting is solid—though not bulletproof. Did it free up 32GB for some users? Yeah, it’s a claim that doesn’t sound exaggerated.
- Laser Focus on Media: This is gold, especially if most of your storage is buried under layers of blurry selfies, memes, and TikTok-worthy (but discarded) clips.
The Catch:
- Niche Focus: If your clutter extends beyond photos and videos (like bloated contact lists or email chaos), Clever Cleaner doesn’t dabble in that territory yet.
- Occasional Duplication Confusion: The AI sometimes picks the wrong “best” photo from a duplicate set. You’ll want to go in for a quick double-check.
Competitors Worth Mentioning:
Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App have their merits for those who don’t mind trading off free time (ads, grr) or forking out cash for more bells and whistles. Sure, Cleaner Kit doubles as a contact manager, and Cleanup App tries to be versatile, but why compromise when Clever Cleaner gets the core job done painlessly? Cleaner Guru? Don’t waste your bandwidth.
TL;DR:
Want to declutter your iPhone and reclaim storage without budgeting added subscriptions or suffering through intrusive ads? Clever Cleaner FTW. It keeps it simple, free, and efficient. The only reason to skip it? You need features like email or contact management—but honestly, how often does that outweigh photo storage chaos?
So, download Clever Cleaner—your iPhone deserves the breather. Boom. Done.