I noticed that my iPhone storage is filling up because I’ve somehow ended up with a lot of duplicate photos stored. I’m looking for the easiest way to identify and delete these duplicates without accidentally deleting the originals I want to keep. Could someone guide me on what’s the best method or tool to use to manage this?
Clear Up Space on Your iPhone: Here’s How You Can Delete Duplicate Photos for Free
Is your iPhone running out of storage thanks to countless duplicates and eerily similar photos? Don’t worry — you’re far from the only one. Turns out, cleaning up your photo library is not as tedious as it might seem, especially when you have the right tools at hand. If you’re looking for a free and easy solution, let me introduce you to the Clever Cleaner app, a Reddit favorite that I’ve personally found super helpful. The result? My iPhone is now clutter-free, and it cost me absolutely nothing.
Quick and Easy Steps to Delete Duplicate Photos: A Walkthrough
Let’s break this down step by step so anyone can do it effortlessly.
Step 1: Install Clever Cleaner
First things first, you’ll want to download the app. It’s free, works efficiently, and you can find it on the App Store: 
Free Clever Cleaner App.
Why Clever Cleaner? Here’s the deal: iOS has a built-in feature for handling duplicate photos, but this app goes above and beyond. It doesn’t just root out the exact duplicates but uncovers similar photos too — you know, the ones where you took 15 versions of the same sunset.
Step 2: Grant Access for Scanning
Once installed, you’ll need to authorize access to your photos. This step might feel intrusive to some, but trust me, it’s necessary for the AI to analyze your gallery properly. I took the leap myself, and everything’s been smooth sailing, no red flags.
Step 3: Wait for the Magic to Happen
After you give the green light, the app will start scanning your photo library. Depending on how much of a shutterbug you are, this could take anywhere from 2 to 6 minutes. Sit back, grab some coffee, and let the app work its magic.
Step 4: Sorting and Reviewing
Once the scan is complete, Clever Cleaner will organize your photos, stacking duplicates and similar images together. It uses AI to identify the sharpest, most optimal photo and marks the rest for deletion. It’s pretty satisfying to see order emerge from chaos.
Step 5: Smart Cleanup
Simply tap ‘Smart Cleanup,’ and voilà—your duplicates are gone. For a final clean sweep, head to your Photos app and empty the trash. Goodbye, clutter; hello, free space!
Results That Speak for Themselves
And that’s it! By the time I was done, I had wiped out 11 GB of junk photos, just like that 
. It felt like I had leveled up my iPhone while paying absolutely nothing. The app is that good.
Extra Resources You Might Want to Check Out
Got even more questions or want alternative routes? These guides and discussions have got you covered:
- 4 Methods on MacGasm: How to Remove Duplicate Photos
- Ways to Delete Duplicate Photos on Reddit
- Apple Discussions: Duplicates & Similar Photos
- Reddit Discussion About the Clever Cleaner App
- Tips for Deleting Duplicates on InsanelyMac
- Removing duplicate photos on YouTube: Watch it Here
- How to Fix iPhone Storage Full Without Buying More Storage (Reddit Guide)
So, go ahead and take control of your photo gallery with Clever Cleaner – you won’t regret it. Whether you’re prepping your phone for a big trip or simply decluttering for peace of mind, this free app is your secret weapon. Give it a try today and regain control of your storage!
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This might sound super straightforward, but honestly, before you dive into apps like Clever Cleaner (which I agree is worth a try – @mikeappsreviewer did make a fair point about its effectiveness), you might want to give Apple’s own duplicate detection feature a shot first. If you’re running iOS 16 or later, go to Photos > Albums > Duplicates at the bottom. iOS scans for duplicates and lets you merge them right there. It’s simple. No apps, no downloads, nada. The only catch is that it doesn’t catch “similar” photos, just exact duplicates.
Now, if your library is full of near-identical pics (like 20 shots of your dog blinking at slightly different times – we’ve all been there), Apple’s built-in feature won’t cut it, and Clever Cleaner or similar apps become essential. To be honest, though, I’d suggest skimming through what the app flags as duplicates before letting it auto-delete stuff––there’s always a risk it’ll ax something you actually want. Machines aren’t perfect, and neither are we, ya know?
Also, if you’re wary of random apps accessing your photos, another option is importing your pics to a Mac or PC, using tools like Gemini 2 or PhotoSweeper to sort through duplicates there (these are desktop programs if apps feel invasive to you). It’s a little clunky but works without giving away permissions.
TL;DR: Try iOS’s Duplicates feature first, then Clever Cleaner or a desktop software option for more organized decluttering. Don’t rush into blindly auto-deleting – that’s how you say goodbye to your only decent photo from Vegas 2016. RIP.
Honestly, duplicate photos are the bane of every iPhone user’s existence. Apple should’ve given us a better solution years ago. Anyway, here’s what I think based on my own trial-and-error fiasco of dealing with this:
Yeah, the built-in iOS Duplication feature @reveurdenuit mentioned is alright if you’re using iOS 16 or later. It’s basic. It finds exact copies only, which is fine if you just need something quick. But let’s be real—how often are your duplicates exact? I take a million dog photos that are slightly different, like a fraction of a tail wag apart, and that feature doesn’t even touch those. Ugh.
Now, about @mikeappsreviewer hyping the Clever Cleaner app—it’s solid, not gonna lie. I’ve used it, and it’s pretty satisfying watching it stack all those similar shots together. But (always a but, right?), it’s not 100% perfect. For instance, it’s flagged photos I didn’t want to delete a couple of times. Imagine almost losing that one rare group photo where everyone’s eyes are magically open. Double-check every single suggestion before pressing delete—trust me, or you’ll regret it.
If you absolutely don’t trust third-party apps (even good ones like Clever Cleaner), here’s a tedious alternative: import your photos to a desktop. Apps like Gemini or PhotoSweeper can sift through duplicates and give you that extra layer of manual control. Sure, it takes forever and is annoying, but at least you’re not handing over permissions to some app.
One last thing—if storage is really tight, clean up other space-hogging culprits, too. Videos, large iMessages, or god forbid, TikTok drafts you’ll never post. Use this as an excuse to do a whole-phone purge. Feels kind of cathartic when you’re done.
I see a lot of solid recommendations here, but let me throw in another angle on this. While the Clever Cleaner app seems like a cool go-to with its AI capabilities, and many have sung its praises (rightfully so), I think its biggest drawback for some folks is the over-dependence on its algorithm. Sure, it’s great that it identifies similar photos (goodbye, 12 versions of ‘dog tilting head slightly differently’), but if you’re the paranoid type about accidental deletions, the manual review process can get tiresome. Plus, like @himmelsjager said, there’s always a chance it’ll flag something you love—so be cautious.
That said, the pros clearly outweigh the cons: it’s free, relatively quick, and perfect if you’ve got tons of duplicates to knock out in one fell swoop. On the flip side, let’s acknowledge competitors like the built-in iOS Duplicates feature if you’re running iOS 16+. Sometimes simpler is better—no permissions, no third-party trust issues—but as others pointed out, it’s limited to exact duplicates only, which just doesn’t cut it if your photos are super similar but not identical.
For advanced users or those who prefer working on a bigger screen, transferring your photos to a desktop before using tools like Gemini Photos or PhotoSweeper isn’t a bad call. Yes, it’s more effort, but you’ll get total control and higher accuracy. It’s the route I’d recommend if you really need a granular, foolproof solution.
In the end, here’s my take: start with the Clever Cleaner app if you want a hassle-free experience that will cover a wide range of duplicate/similar photos. Just remember to review suggestions carefully—it’s worth spending the time to double-check. For smaller libraries, iOS should suffice. And for the perfectionists out there, desktop apps might be your savior.
Bonus tip: After cleaning the duplicates, don’t forget to back up your cleaned-up library. iCloud or Google Photos can help make sure you don’t lose the polished version of your photo collection the next time around! 