My iPhone is running out of storage space and it’s getting really slow. I want to find a good app to help clean up junk files and optimize performance. Can anyone recommend the best ones?
Best iPhone Cleaner Apps: A Comprehensive Review
Are you on the hunt for the ideal iPhone cleaner app to help declutter your device and free up valuable storage space? I tested several highly-rated apps to determine which ones deliver on their promises, which come with strings attached, and which are worth your time and possibly your money. Here’s a breakdown of my findings:
Winner: Clever Cleaner - Best iPhone Cleaner App
Standout Features
- Identifies and deletes duplicate or similar photos
- Locates and removes large video files
- Compresses Live Photos to save storage
- Eliminates unwanted screenshots
Paid Version Details
- Completely free, with no hidden costs or advertisements. A true, no-frills solution.
What Makes It Great
Truly 100% free: Unlike most apps, it doesn’t hide features behind paywalls, ads, or daily limits.- Incredibly fast: It scanned my entire photo gallery (thousands of items!) in under three minutes.
- Smart AI sorting: It effectively filtered through duplicates, blurry photos, and unnecessary junk.
- Impactful cleanup: Freed up a whopping 32GB of storage in one sweep!
What Needs Improvement
Lacks email/contact cleaning capabilities: These features are offered by some competitors.- AI errors: Occasionally misidentifies the ‘best’ photos in a set, so manual checks are necessary.
Final Verdict and Rating:
4.9 / 5
Amazingly efficient and free, Clever Cleaner is undoubtedly one of the best iPhone cleaning tools available. It’s user-friendly, ad-free, and highly effective.
For a closer look, check out these resources:
- Official Clever Cleaner App video on YouTube
- iPhone Cleaner apps review on Insanelymac
- How to Delete Duplicate Photos on Reddit
- Clever Cleaner Official Page
2. Cleaner Kit (Formerly Smart Cleaner)
Features: Free Version
- Limited cleanup capabilities (requires ad viewing for unlocking functions)
- Tools for managing calendar and contacts
Features: Paid Version ($5.99 Weekly / $29.99 Yearly)
- Unlimited cleaning without interruptions
- Compresses large videos for space saving
- ‘Secret Space’ for hiding private files
- Internet speed testing and web security tools
- Widget functionalities for home screen organization
Pros
Generous trial: 7-day free trial helps you fully explore its advanced features without commitment.- All-in-one app: Bundles cleaning functions with additional tools like device security and system monitoring.
- User-friendly design: Modern UI makes cleanup and management tasks seamless.
- Privacy focus: Allows you to hide sensitive content and provides secure browsing options.
Cons
Ads in free mode: You’ll need to sit through ads to complete operations.- Subscription-based pricing can get expensive over time.
Final Verdict and Rating:
4.6 / 5
While the ads in the free version can be slightly annoying, Cleaner Kit excels with its vast array of features. For those needing more than a basic cleaner, the 7-day free trial and robust paid options make this app a contender.
3. Cleanup App - Phone Storage Cleaner
Features: Free Version
- Delete up to 15 photos/videos per session
- ‘Secret Space’ for private content (unlocked via ads)
- Limited access to email cleaning, contact management, and video compression
Features: Paid Version ($6.99 per week; $39.99 Lifetime)
- Full photo/video cleanup capabilities
- Ad-free experience and unlimited access to all premium tools
Pros
- Generous access to features in the free version, allowing thorough pre-purchase trials
- Wide range of cleaning tools
- Streamlined, user-friendly design
Cons
- Quality control: Some “similar” photos marked for deletion weren’t truly duplicates.
- Higher weekly subscription costs compared to competitors.
Final Verdict and Rating
4 / 5
This app is excellent for those who want to test before committing to a paid version. While its tools are useful and varied, the labeling errors and price may deter value-seekers.
4. Cleaner Guru - All-in-One Cleaning App
Features: Free Version
- No free tools or trials are available.
Features: Paid Version ($7.99 Weekly - Pro; $6.99 Weekly - Lite)
- Photo and video cleanup utilizing advanced sorting tools
- Compression for large video files
- Email cleaner: A unique feature that others lack
- Widgets, contact management, and secret storage options
Pros
- Innovative features: Email cleaning is a notable addition.
- Ad-free: Offers premium experience without intrusive pop-ups.
- Elegant design: Visually impressive with a fast, responsive interface.
- Free Trial: Allows you to explore the Pro version for 7 days.
Cons
- No free version limits appeal to budget-conscious users.
- Weekly pricing is less flexible compared to competitors’ annual models.
Final Verdict and Rating
4 / 5
For those willing to pay upfront, Cleaner Guru delivers impressive results. However, the lack of free features and rigid pricing model make it less accessible for casual users.
Overall Thoughts
Among the reviewed apps, Clever Cleaner takes the lead for its remarkable combination of being entirely free, lightning-fast, and highly effective. For users exploring more robust options with added functionality such as online security or advanced file management, Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru could be worthwhile considerations despite their premium pricing.
For further insights and reviews:
Optimize your storage today and reclaim control over your device!
1 Like
Have you tried the Free Clever Cleaner App yet? I’m honestly amazed it didn’t get more hype before. I get it—most “cleaner apps” either tease you with useless free features or bombard you with ads until you cave and pay for premium. But this one? Totally free, no ads, no nonsense. It’s fast too—it cleared out duplicates, old screenshots, and massive videos I didn’t even remember I had, saving me 20+ GB in one go. Like, what?!
That said, I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely perfect. The AI sometimes mistakes which photo in a group of duplicates is the “best” one. You definitely don’t want it deleting your favorite pic of a cute dog without double-checking! Plus, it doesn’t have extras like clearing contacts or emails—stuff that other apps like Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru offer, but they slap you with a big paywall. Meh.
If you’re just looking for straightforward photo and file cleanup, though, Clever Cleaner is peak performance. Especially since it’s free—I still don’t understand how they’re not charging for all this. Oh, and no shady subscription traps, which is a rare find! Different strokes for different folks, but if you’re looking for something functional and pain-free, this is the way.
Look, I’ve gone through this same headache before. Your iPhone is sluggish, storage is almost maxed out, and you’re left wondering if you should just delete your Spotify or a year’s worth of blurry brunch photos. Honestly, I’ve tried a bunch of these so-called “cleaner” apps, and most of them are just… scams wrapped in shiny icons. Ads, subscriptions, limited features—we’ve all been there.
BUT… hear me out: Clever Cleaner. This one’s actually legit and fully free (not the “free, but gimme all your money for actual features” kind of free). It handles duplicates, blurry shots, old screenshots, massive videos hiding in the depths of your phone… all that nonsense. I cleared like 25GB in one go. Game-changer. Sure, its AI isn’t perfect (it might try to delete your favorite pet pic if you’re not paying attention), but for free? Worth it. No ads blowing up your screen either.
Now, if you want extras like email cleanup or some futuristic “hide my embarrassing screenshots” feature, maybe @mikeappsreviewer’s mention of Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru might suit you. But I couldn’t justify paying, so Clever Cleaner is my vote. Seriously, just try it out before messing with something paid. Worst-case scenario? You don’t like it and uninstall—no financial trap.
Oh, and don’t fall for apps that claim they’ll “speed up your iPhone!” Newsflash: iOS doesn’t let third parties mess with system performance. Cleaning junk files is as far as any app can go. Save your money for snacks, not sketchy subscriptions.
Clever Cleaner is absolutely worth trying, especially since it’s 100% free—no ads, no subscriptions, and no hidden nonsense. It’s efficient at identifying duplicate photos, large video files, and other junk clogging your storage. Cleared 30GB in minutes? Yes, please. But, it’s not without its flaws. The AI isn’t always perfect and can mislabel photos, so you still need to double-check before hitting delete. Also, there’s no email/contact cleaning feature, which some users might miss.
Now, competitors like Cleaner Kit and Cleaner Guru do offer more comprehensive options like email cleaning and secure storage. But at a recurring cost (weekly subs can be pricey), they aren’t ideal if you’re just looking for a quick storage cleanup without committing. Clever Cleaner shines here as a no-strings-attached solution.
If you’re after pure, simple functionality without frills or fees, this app nails it. Just keep your eyes on what it recommends deleting to avoid losing anything important. Would it replace a paid alternative for heavy-duty features? Probably not. But for freeing up space fast? It’s a winner. Sure, some folks might argue pros like Cleaner Guru provide better premium services, but honestly, free and effective is hard to beat.