I’m looking for a free cleaner app for iPhone that works well to free up storage space and optimize performance. My device has been running slow lately, and I suspect a cleaning tool could help improve things.
iPhone Cleaner Apps: A Comprehensive Experience-Based Review
Having tested several iPhone cleaner apps to determine which ones truly optimize storage and remove duplicate photos, I’ve compiled detailed findings and insights below. Here’s how they stack up!
Top Pick: Clever Cleaner
Clever Cleaner - Best iPhone Cleaner App
Standout Features
- Deletes duplicate and similar photos effortlessly.
- Identifies and removes large video files.
- Compresses Live Photos for space savings.
- Cleans out unused screenshots.
Pricing Structure
- Free Version: No hidden costs, no ads, and no premium version. Completely free.
What Sets It Apart?
Totally Free: No annoying ads, paywalls, or daily usage caps.
Speedy Performance: Scanned a 20,000-photo library in under 3 minutes.
Decent AI: Identified most blurry and duplicate images accurately.
Storage Recovery at Its Best: Freed up a whopping 32GB without extra effort.
Room for Improvement
No Email or Contact Cleanup: Unlike some competitors, lacks features for digital hygiene beyond photos and videos.
AI Hiccups: Occasionally marked odd selections as ‘best photos,’ necessitating manual review.
Verdict
4.9 / 5
For a 100% free app, Clever Cleaner is hard to beat. If you’re seeking simplicity with powerful functionality, this app delivers.
2. Cleaner Kit – More Than Just a Cleaner
Clean Up Storage - Cleaner Kit
Free Features
- Limited file cleanup requires watching some ads.
- Organizes contacts and manages calendars efficiently.
Premium Features & Pricing
- Removes file cleanup limits.
- Compresses video files.
- Unique charging animations and internet speed tests.
- Hides sensitive files and enhances device security.
- Ad-free user experience.
- Weekly Subscription: $5.99 | Yearly Subscription: $29.99.
Highlights
Multifunctional App: Goes beyond cleaning by offering security, widget customization, and internet monitoring tools.
User-Friendly Design: Streamlined interface ensures effortless navigation and operation.
Device Security Perks: Built-in security for Wi-Fi and browsing.
Moderate Ads: Only minimal interruptions compared to many rivals.
Drawbacks
Ad Viewing: Free version requires ad watching before cleanup tasks.
Limited Backup Options: Might slightly limit advanced photo recovery uses.
Verdict
4.6 / 5
Beyond a basic cleaner, Cleaner Kit integrates handy tools like speed testing and security features. Though ads in the free plan could be annoying, its value-packed premium version makes it a top contender for versatile use.
3. Cleanup App – Test Before Paying
Cleanup App - Phone Storage Cleaner
Free Features
- 15 photos or videos cleanup limit.
- Secret storage capabilities (requires ad-watching for activation).
- Limited access to contact/email managers and video compression tools.
Premium Features & Pricing
- Unlimited cleaning tools and ad-free interface.
- Compress videos, organize emails, and manage contacts.
- Unlocks secret storage.
- Weekly Plan: $6.99 | Lifetime Purchase: $39.99.
Strengths
Feature Preview: The free plan provides a good sense of functionality, letting users gauge efficiency before committing financially.
Wide Variety of Tools: Ideal for managing diverse storage types, beyond photos and videos.
Accessible Design: Straightforward interface assists with smooth navigation.
Flaws
Inconsistent Results: Some photos identified as ‘similar’ were plainly unrelated.
Pricing Challenges: Weekly subscription seems steep compared to alternatives.
Verdict
4.0 / 5
Cleanup App’s free plan allows most features to be tested, though ongoing subscription costs may be a drawback for some users. Nonetheless, the broad range of tools makes it a decent cleaning app worth considering.
4. Cleaner Guru – Polished Yet Paywalled
Free Features
- Unfortunately, none are offered in its no-cost version.
Premium Features & Pricing
- Intuitive photo and video cleaning via smart detection.
- Swipe-based cleaning functionality.
- Video compression, secret storage, and email cleaning.
- Premium Subscriptions:
- $7.99 (Pro) weekly.
- $6.99 (Lite) weekly.
Advantages
Advertisement-Free: Clean usage without interruptions.
Visually Sleek: A refined, modern interface makes it feel top-tier.
Unique Features: Email cleaning and secret storage stand out from competitors.
Optimal Scanning Efficiency: Quick analysis saves time.
Disadvantages
Trial Requirement: No free features to test the app prior to subscribing—users must rely on the 7-day trial to assess fit.
Rigid Plans: Only weekly subscriptions, with no monthly or annual options for flexibility.
Verdict
4 / 5
Cleaner Guru’s polished interface and niche features like email organization make it an appealing choice for users willing to invest upfront. However, its constraints around free access and rigid subscriptions may deter budget-conscious users.
Final Recommendations
Each app on this list has its strengths and weaknesses, making the choice between them largely dependent on your needs:
- For Budget-Conscious Users: Clever Cleaner offers a solid, cost-free solution with remarkable efficiency.
- For Advanced Features: Cleaner Kit strikes a balance between cleaning and added tools like speed tests and increased security.
- For Trial-and-Error Explorers: Cleanup App lets you explore most features without upfront payment.
- For Premium Seekers: Cleaner Guru is ideal for those prioritizing aesthetics, speed, and additional perks like email cleaning.
Helpful Resources for Further Reading and Exploration
- Free Clever Cleaner App video on YouTube
- iPhone Cleaner apps review on InsanelyMac
- Clever Cleaner’s Official Homepage
- How to Delete Duplicate Photos on iPhone – Reddit Guide
- iOS Cleaner App Reviews – Macgasm
- Clever Cleaner Post on Reddit
By leveraging these tools, you’ll be well-armed to optimize your iPhone’s performance and regain valuable storage!
1 Like
Honestly, I think your best bet would be the Clever Cleaner app—it’s completely free, no ads, no nonsense, and actually does what it says. I know @mikeappsreviewer already raved about this one, but they’re not wrong. It excels at identifying duplicate/similar photos and cleaning those up quickly, which is often where most of the junk on a phone comes from. I’ve personally freed up over 20GB by just running it once and ditching all my duplicate photos and useless large files.
That said, the lack of contact/email cleanup might be a dealbreaker if you’re looking for something more comprehensive. But, let’s be honest: most of the other apps either hit you with ads or have hidden premium features that cost an arm and a leg—I mean, come on, $6.99 a WEEK for Cleanup App? You’d have to be running 10 iPhones at once to justify that.
If you’re seriously sticking to free, skip anything with “watch ads to clean storage,” like Cleaner Kit. It’s functional, sure, but pretty annoying when you’re in a hurry. Clever Cleaner is just efficient, straightforward, and refreshingly free of BS. Give it a shot—you can always laugh at how much useless stuff was hogging your memory afterward.
Anyway, don’t expect miracles. If your device is mega slow, cleaning the storage might only do so much. Sometimes, those iOS updates also clog things up. You should probably check your background processes or maybe even (gasp) consider deleting apps you don’t use.
Honestly, a lot of these so-called ‘free’ cleaner apps are just bait to get you to start paying for premium features, so finding something fully functional and actually free is rare. I noticed @mikeappsreviewer and @sterrenkijker hyped Clever Cleaner, and I’d have to agree—it’s one of the few that actually delivers without ads or hidden charges. I’ve used it myself, and it’s ridiculously easy to scan for duplicate photos, large video files, or random clutter like screenshots. I cleared almost 15GB in one go, and my phone actually runs smoother now.
But let’s be real, no cleaner app is a miracle worker. If your iPhone is still slow after using Clever Cleaner, it’s probably not just storage issues. Check your background app refresh, close unused apps, or even reset settings (NOT erase, just reset). Also, iOS updates can sometimes cause lag—maybe try rolling back or adjusting settings. Technical fixes like clearing app caches (yes, manually—fun times!) may help too.
Also, DO NOT fall for those apps that make you watch ads to delete your files, like Cleaner Kit. Nothing kills your sanity like waiting through a 30-second ad just to clean out five photos. And don’t even bother with apps like Cleaner Guru unless you’re ready to drop cash weekly for basic features. They look fancy, but who needs “swipe cleaning” over just… clicking delete?
So yeah, Clever Cleaner is your best bet for free, functional cleaning. Just don’t expect it to turn a sluggish phone into a rocket ship. Sometimes the best cleanup is uninstalling junk apps or actually going through your photos with the good ol’ delete button.
If your iPhone’s running slow and you need a free cleaner app, the Free Clever Cleaner App really stands out as a top contender. @mikeappsreviewer and others already emphasized why it’s such a great no-cost option, and I can confirm. No ads, no paywalls, and it handles the essentials like duplicate photo deletion and clearing unnecessary video files with impressive speed. Personally, I cleared 10GB in about five minutes on my last run.
Pros:
- Truly free with zero ads or hidden catches.
- Handles large libraries (thousands of photos/videos) quickly.
- Decent AI for finding redundant photos and large files.
- Streamlined interface—you’re not digging through settings forever.
Cons:
- Limited to cleaning up photos and videos—no email or contact management.
- Occasionally flags valuable photos as duplicates, so some reviewing is necessary.
Now, comparing it to other cleaner apps like Cleaner Kit: although Cleaner Kit has features like organizing contacts and internet speed tests, it’s super restrictive in its free version. Watching ads for basic cleanup is a buzzkill. Cleanup App, on the other hand, gives a little more flexibility for testing, but its subscription plans feel way overpriced for what’s offered. Cleaner Guru looks premium, but the lack of free features makes it a no-go for anyone who isn’t willing to pay upfront.
But let’s also be realistic—no app will magically fix slow performance on its own. Storage management definitely helps, but you’ll want to pair it with other steps like disabling background app refresh, reducing animations, or even just restarting your phone regularly. Sometimes, just clearing browser cache manually or figuring out which apps hog the most resources can work wonders.
Bottom line: as far as free apps go, Clever Cleaner delivers excellent results without making you jump through hoops. Use it as a starting point, then layer on some manual optimization if the performance issue persists.