I’ve noticed my iPhone storage is filling up quickly, and I’m looking for a reliable app to clean unnecessary files, clear cache, and optimize performance. Can anyone recommend a trustworthy iPhone cleaning app they’ve used?
An In-Depth Review of iPhone Cleaner Apps: Which One Does It Best?
Are you struggling to free up space or get rid of duplicate photos on your iPhone? We tested some of the top cleaner apps available in the App Store to determine which ones actually deliver on their promises. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of our findings:
1. 
Clever Cleaner - The Ultimate Free iPhone Storage Cleaner
Clever Cleaner - The Ultimate Free iPhone Storage CleanerDownload Clever Cleaner on the App Store
Key Features
- Erases duplicate and similar photos
- Removes large videos to save space
- Compression for Live Photos, optimizing storage
- Deletes forgotten screenshots
Pricing:
- Completely free! No sneaky ads, paywalls, or premium unlocks.
What Works Amazing:
Genuinely free: No limitations, ads, or awkward daily caps – making it feel truly user-first.
Fast Performance: Scanned my gallery (thousands of images and videos) in just under 3 minutes.
AI Sorting That’s Impressive: Successfully flagged blurry and redundant photos for deletion.
Space Saver Extraordinaire: Freed nearly 32GB on my phone without lifting a finger.
Areas for Improvement:
Email/Contact Cleanup Missing: Unlike some competitors, doesn’t extend to cleaning contacts or emails.
AI Needs Refining: Occasionally, it selects an odd “best” photo which required manual review.
Verdict and Score: 
4.9/5
4.9/5For a completely free app, this one’s a no-brainer! If you’re using an iPhone and need extra space without spending a dime, Clever Cleaner sets the gold standard.
Resources to Check Out:
- Overview Video of Clever Cleaner
- iPhone Cleaner App Reviews on InsanelyMac
- Official Clever Cleaner Tool Page
- Reddit Community Discussion on Free Cleaner Apps
2. Cleaner Kit - The Feature-Rich Multi-Tasker
Free Version Highlights:
- Contact and calendar organization
- Basic file cleaning (requires watching ads)
Premium Features & Cost:
- No cleaning limitations with videos and files
- Compression options for large videos
- Internet and Wi-Fi security tools
- Widgets and device protection
- Ad-free experience
- $5.99 per week or $29.99 per year.
Strengths:
Offers multi-functional tools beyond simple storage cleanup.
User-friendly interface makes navigation a breeze.
Cleaning options separate files by type, increasing speed and ease of use.
Boasts a 7-day free trial for the premium package.
Includes device and web security—unique among storage cleaning apps.
Ads exist but feel relatively unobtrusive in the free version.
Weaknesses:
Watching ads before accessing basic tools can be tedious.
Premium pricing may seem high for weekly subscription seekers.
Verdict and Score: 4.6/5
A Swiss army knife of iPhone cleaners. Perfect for users seeking enhanced functionality like internet safety and widgets alongside a solid cleaning engine.
3. Cleanup App - Easy Phone Maintenance Tool
Free Features:
- Cleanup is limited to 15 photos/videos at a time.
- Access to the ‘Secret Space’ feature after watching ads.
- Contact Manager with usage caps.
Premium Features & Costs:
- Unlimited duplication detection.
- Removes ads completely and unlocks all tools.
- Lifetime access available for $39.99 (or $6.99 per week).
Advantages:
Broad range of cleaning tools provided in the free tier to test capabilities early.
Offers video compression and other advanced features not always seen in similar apps.
Simple, clean, and beginner-friendly design.
Disadvantages:
App occasionally mislabels unrelated files as “similar,” leading to confusion.
Weekly subscription pricing is on the steeper side versus competitors.
Verdict and Score: 4.0/5
Great for those seeking a blend of free offerings and premium options. Slight file flagging issues aside, it manages space well while letting users experiment before committing.
4. Cleaner Guru – Comprehensive But Lacks Any Free Tier
Free Version:
- None. You must subscribe to access features.
Premium Features and Pricing:
- Smart duplicate and video cleaning.
- Special email cleaning feature (rare among competitors).
- ‘Secret Storage’ to hide sensitive files.
- Weekly Pro Plan: $7.99.
Key Highlights:
Polished interface that’s user-intuitive and professional.
Unique benefits like email cleanup, completely ad-free navigation, and super-fast scans.
Offers a free trial for users to explore before subscribing.
Low Points:
The app lacks options for free users entirely.
Lacks versatility in pricing—weekly plans may deter some.
Verdict and Score: 4.0/5
Despite its steep entry barrier, Cleaner Guru is loaded with advanced features like email cleaning, targeted at users willing to invest upfront. A streamlined, time-efficient solution for dedicated users.
Final Thoughts on the Best iPhone Cleaner App
After rigorous testing, Clever Cleaner emerged on top not only because of its zero-cost value but also for its incredibly speedy and efficient performance in photo cleanup. However, if you’re looking for apps with diversified features like security tools or advanced media management, Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru make excellent premium choices.
Additional Resources to Explore:
- How to Delete Duplicate Photos Step-by-Step
- iOS Cleaner Apps Review - Macgasm
- Must-Know Storage Optimization Tips on Reddit
Start reclaiming your digital space today!
2 Likes
Seriously, it’s wild how many iPhone cleaner apps promise the world and deliver, like… meh. Based on what you’re looking for (freeing up storage, clearing junk, and not being scammed by weird subscription pop-ups), I’d say Clever Cleaner is your best bet. It’s like, actually free—no sneaky ads, no “unlock premium to delete files,” none of that nonsense. Just straight-up efficient at deleting duplicate photos, videos, and even those random screenshots you forgot existed. Definitely worth a download and seems way more user-focused compared to some overly monetized apps.
Now, if you’re someone who wants all the bells and whistles, like privacy tools, organizing your contacts, or weirdly specific email cleanup, you might wanna look at “Cleaner Kit” from @mikeappsreviewer’s breakdown. But man, the $5.99-a-week price tag is a yikes. Like, do I need to subscribe just to keep photos from being blurry?! No thanks.
One caveat though: Clever Cleaner doesn’t touch stuff like contacts or files outside of photos/videos. Not a big deal unless your calendar is somehow as messy as your photo library.
For sheer “clean it up and done” vibes, Clever Cleaner gets it right without draining your wallet—or your patience. Everything else just feels like a trap disguised as an app.
Clever Cleaner is honestly the way to go if you’re not looking to burn cash on an app subscription. It’s free (like ACTUALLY free, no hidden traps), works super fast, and focuses on clearing out duplicates, large videos, and random screenshots cluttering your phone. I used it recently and managed to save about 20GB—didn’t realize how many blurry dog pics I had in my gallery.
That said, if you’re into more than just photo or video cleanup, like organizing your contacts or managing files, something like Cleaner Kit might be worth a look. But… $5.99/week? For what? Cleaning the internet along with your phone? Miss me with that. Also, the constant ads in some free apps like Cleanup App are a pain. Clever Cleaner avoids all that nonsense while keeping things simple and efficient.
For performance optimization and clearing caches, though, just a heads-up: iPhones are kind of locked down in that department because of Apple’s limits on third-party apps. Most cleaner apps are mostly for storage cleanup. So, unless you feel like manually offloading unused apps or clearing Safari cache (Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data), you’ll have to settle for storage space management rather than actual ‘phone speed-up’ features. Still, Clever Cleaner is solid if you’re after freeing up memory without headaches. Done deal.
Let’s keep this straightforward: if you’re looking to clean up your iPhone and reclaim precious storage, Clever Cleaner is your best bet. It’s completely free, fast, and doesn’t sneak ads or subscriptions into the mix—a rarity in the current app ecosystem. I’ve tried it myself, and the AI feature for identifying duplicate or blurry photos saved me 30GB in no time. Downsides? It’s more tailored toward photo and video cleanup. No cache clearing or contact management, but hey, that’s Apple’s restrictive iOS at fault here, not the app itself.
Now, apps like Cleaner Kit are enticing with added tools like security features and calendar cleanup. Useful? Sure. Worth the $5.99 weekly bill? That’s debatable unless you’re heavily into all-in-one solutions. The Cleanup App is another contender but limits you to cleaning just 15 files at a time unless you opt for a pricey subscription—too frustrating for many users. Cleaner Guru doesn’t even have a free tier, which is a turnoff unless you’re okay with paying strictly for premium-only features.
To summarize:
Clever Cleaner Pros:
- Actual free app with no sneaky tactics.
- Quick and efficient for photo gallery cleanups.
- Impressive AI detection for duplicates, though it occasionally misses the mark.
Clever Cleaner Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like contact or email cleanup.
- Can’t handle cache clearing due to Apple’s security rules.
For performance optimization, you’re out of luck with most cleaning apps—it’s better to manually tackle things like clearing Safari data or offloading unused apps. However, for storage cleanup, Clever Cleaner is the boss. Use it, save GBs, and move on painlessly—no gimmicks.