How to remove duplicate photos on iPhone?

MikeAppsReviewer · March 21, 2025, 6:46pm

Get Rid of Duplicate Photos on Your iPhone—Here’s How!

Okay, let’s be real: iPhones are great at capturing life’s moments, but we all end up with a bazillion nearly identical photos. You know, those ten shots of your dog doing the exact same thing or the selfies you took until you nailed the perfect angle. Love the memories—hate the clutter. The good news is that there’s a simple (and free!) way to tackle this mess.

Start Eliminating Duplicate Photos for FREE

Believe it or not, your iPhone already has a built-in method to help delete duplicates. HOWEVER, most people find that the real problem isn’t straight-up duplicates—it’s similar photos. Think about it: probably 95% of the photos junking up your device are basically the same shot over and over. If you want to clean them all out at once, Reddit users swear by the Clever Cleaner App for iPhone. Not only did it save me hours of manual work, but it also didn’t cost me a dime. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of how you can do the same.

Steps to Delete Duplicate Photos on Your iPhone

#1 - Install the Clever Cleaner App

Head over to the App Store and grab the free app called Clever Cleaner. It’s quick to download, and yes—it’s 100% free. Trust me, this isn’t some scammy thing. Tons of Redditors endorse it, and it worked like a charm for me.

#2 - Open the App & Grant Photo Access

When you open the app for the first time, you’ll need to allow access to your photo library. The AI technology inside Clever Cleaner scans and analyzes your photos to find duplicates and overly similar images. I know letting an app access your pics feels dicey, but I’ve done it myself, and everything stayed secure. No random weirdness, no lost files.

#3 - Let the App Scan Your Library

Depending on how huge your photo gallery is, the scanning process will take about 2 to 6 minutes. So, grab a coffee, scroll TikTok, or pet your cat while it works. The app’s AI carefully groups together similar or duplicate images and identifies which ones are worth keeping.

#4 - Review the Results Like a Photo Pro

This part is gold. The app suggests what to save and what to toss—or, in photo AI terms, it keeps the “best version” and marks the extras for deletion. Don’t worry, nothing’s permanent until you tap that final “cleanup” button, so you can double-check everything if you’re feeling cautious.

#5 - Hit “Smart Cleanup”

Once you’re satisfied with the app’s picks, just tap Smart Cleanup to give it the go-ahead. Afterward, open your Photos app and empty your trash to complete the whole process. Yup, it’s that easy. One quick cleanup later, and I had 11GB of junk photos wiped off my phone. Celebration dance optional, but highly recommended.

Final Thoughts: Less Clutter, More Space, All for Free

That’s literally it—no complicated nonsense, no unnecessary downloads. With Clever Cleaner, you can clear up space, declutter your photo collection, and save time you’d otherwise spend deleting duplicates by hand. Whether you’re prepping for a big photo shoot or just want some breathing room for new memories, this tool makes life so much easier.

Resources Worth Checking Out

Okay, if you’re still in research mode or want options, here are some other handy tools, tips, and discussions for tackling photo clutter:

Whether you’re using built-in iOS tools, third-party apps, or forum advice, there’s a fix out there that works for your unique situation. Here’s to reclaiming that storage space and keeping your iPhone clean and tech-lifestyle ready!