I’m looking for the best app or tool to clean and optimize my iPhone. It’s been running out of storage and performing slower than usual. Need suggestions to improve its performance.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Best iPhone Cleaner Apps
If you’ve ever felt limited by your iPhone’s storage or frustrated by a seemingly endless collection of duplicate photos and unnecessary files, I’ve got some solutions for you. I personally tried and evaluated several iPhone cleaner apps to determine which ones are worth your time. Here’s what I discovered.
Top Choice: Clever Cleaner – Best Free iPhone Cleaner App
Explore Clever Cleaner on the App Store
Key Features
- Removes duplicate and similar photos with ease.
- Identifies and clears large, storage-hogging videos.
- Compresses Live Photos, optimizing storage while preserving memories.
- Deletes unused screenshots that are cluttering your library.
Cost & Accessibility
This app is completely free! That’s right—no hidden paywalls, no intrusive ads, and no daily usage limits.
Highlights of Clever Cleaner
100% Free: No ads or premium features hovering behind a paywall. It delivers as promised.
Lightning Fast: Scanned my gallery (over 1,500+ images) in just three minutes.
Smart AI Sorting: Its AI detected most duplicates and unwanted blurry images.
Impressive Storage Savings: Freed up a whopping 32GB without breaking a sweat!
Drawbacks
No Email or Contacts Cleanup: Some apps include this, but Clever Cleaner doesn’t.
AI Imperfections: Occasionally misidentifies the “best” photo in duplicate comparisons, so manual review is necessary.
Rating: 
4.9 / 5
Why it stands out: For a completely free cleaner app that works efficiently with no intrusive ads, this is hands-down the best choice for iPhone users.
2. Cleaner Kit (Previously Smart Cleaner)
Features in Free Version
- Basic file cleaning (requires watching ads for each cleanup).
- Organizes and manages your calendar and contacts.
Paid Features
- Unlimited file cleaning without ads.
- Compression tools for videos.
- Securely hides private files.
- Tests internet speed.
- Offers web, device, and Wi-Fi security tools.
- Fun extras like charging animations and widget integrations.
Pricing:
- Weekly: $5.99
- Yearly: $29.99
Pros
7-Day Free Trial: Explore the PRO version without commitment.
Versatility: Beyond cleaning, it also offers features like speed tests and compressed videos.
Efficient Organization: Sorting photos and videos into distinct categories simplifies cleanup.
Device Protection: Enhances privacy for your device, Wi-Fi, and browsing experience.
Ad-Limited Free Version: Ads exist but are less disruptive than most competitors.
Cons
Ads can be time-consuming in the free version.
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Summary: A robust cleaner with multiple value-added tools. Its PRO trial is a big plus for those exploring their cleaning options.
3. Cleanup App – Phone Storage Cleaner
Features in Free Version
- Limits cleanup to only 15 photos/videos.
- Secret storage feature (requires watching ads).
- Contact management and charging animations (limited access).
- Compresses videos (limited).
Paid Features
- Unlimited file cleaning, no ads.
- Advanced tools like similar photo detection, video compression, and email cleanup.
- Lifetime subscription available.
Pricing:
- Weekly: $6.99
- Lifetime: $39.99
Pros
Offers most features in its free version (though ads must be watched).
Wide range of cleaning functionalities.
Accessible and intuitive user interface.
Cons
Tags some images/videos as “similar” even when they’re completely different.
Weekly subscription is pricier compared to competitors.
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Overview: Though imperfect, this cleaner app delivers solid functionality, and its lifetime subscription is particularly appealing once you’ve tested it out.
4. Cleaner Guru – Optimized for iPhone Storage
Features in Free Version
Unfortunately, no free features are included with the basic version—making it an investment-only option.
Features in Paid Version
- Smart photo and video cleanup.
- Intuitive swipe-to-clean interface.
- File compression tools and secret file storage.
- Comprehensive email cleaning.
- Weekly subscription plan for Pro ($7.99) or Lite ($6.99) versions.
Pros
Ad-Free Environment: Completely clean user experience.
Fast Scanning: Quickly sorts and identifies files for cleanup.
Sleek, modern design with many useful extras.
Comes with unique tools like email cleaner—rare in similar apps.
Cons
Lacks a free option to test features before investing.
Subscription plans offer only weekly payment options, which may be restrictive.
Rating: 4 / 5
Final Thought: While Cleaner Guru offers excellent features and a smooth interface, its paywall and lack of flexibility in subscription options make it less attractive compared to alternatives.
Honorable Mentions & Resources
If you’d like to dig deeper into reviews or guides for iPhone cleaning apps, check out the following resources:
- Video Overview of Clever Cleaner on YouTube
- InsanelyMac.com: Best AI Cleaners for iPhone
- Official Clever Cleaner Website
- Deleting Duplicate Photos on iPhone (Reddit)
- Macgasm’s Guide to Best iOS Cleaner Apps
- Discussion on Free iPhone Cleaners on Reddit
Conclusion
Everyone’s needs for a cleaner app will differ depending on the size of their photo libraries, frequency of use, and budget. However, for those who want a completely free and effective app, Clever Cleaner is the clear winner. If additional features like security tools and email cleanup mean more to you, Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru may better suit your preferences. Either way, these apps make tackling cluttered storage a hassle-free experience!
1 Like
If you’re looking for an app to declutter your iPhone and boost its performance, I’ve got some opinions on this. While @mikeappsreviewer has highlighted some solid options, let me cut through the noise and share some perspective.
First, the Free Clever Cleaner App definitely seems like a stellar starting point. Why? It’s free, handles duplicates with decent AI accuracy, and doesn’t shove a monthly subscription down your throat like so many others do. The fact that it scanned 1,500+ photos in under three minutes (as mentioned) is impressive. That said, the occasional misfires from its AI when choosing the “best” photos could still be a pain for anyone who really cares about every snapshot. It’s not perfect, but for zero cost? Hard to argue against giving it a try.
That said, I think paid alternatives like Cleaner Kit take it a step further if you’re okay spending some cash. For someone who values extras like encrypted file storage or device security tools, it justifies the price—though $5.99 per week feels a bit much unless you’re planning to binge-clean your phone. And don’t even get me started on Cleaner Guru. Weekly subs with no free features? That practically screams “skip me.”
In my experience, though, a lot of these apps can replace your brain’s basic cleanliness instincts. Do you really need an app to clear old memes, blurry photos, or 700 screenshots of an unread recipe? A quick manual purge combined with one solid cleaning app like Clever Cleaner should solve most performance woes. Also, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and review the “Recommendations” Apple already gives you. Free, effective, and doesn’t involve third-party apps.
In summary, Clever Cleaner seems like the no-brainer choice if you’re just trying to clear junk quickly and without ads. Anything else is good if you’re willing to pay for bells and whistles—but frankly, those features won’t matter to most people unless you’ve got unlimited time or storage drama.
I’m just gonna say it—most of these “iPhone cleaner” apps are overhyped. Honestly, how much is it really gonna change your life to ditch a few blurry photos or duplicate memes? But if your phone is like a digital junkyard (we’ve all been there), and you need a little extra help cleaning it up, some apps aren’t completely useless.
First, @mikeappsreviewer got it right about the Free Clever Cleaner App being solid. It’s not perfect (AI still has its “oopsie” moments where it thinks your best photo is the one where your dog’s butt is center frame), but it’s free—and free always wins, in my opinion. The lack of ads and no subscription annoyance makes it worth a download to blast away duplicates and free up space fast.
That said, I feel like @viajeroceleste is trying to sell me a timeshare with all those paid apps. Cleaner Kit at $5.99/week? No thanks, I’ll pass. That’s like paying a latte subscription just to delete photos I could do myself when I’m bored scrolling at night. Plus, Cleaner Guru hiding all its features behind a paywall is borderline insulting. Who pays $7.99/week to delete stuff you chose to save in the first place?
Here’s my take: Run Clever Cleaner to do the heavy lifting, then take 10 minutes to ruthlessly delete gifs, old screenshots, or 47 photos of the same sunset manually. Seriously, basic manual cleaning is underrated—plus, you might stumble on those gems from 2017 you forgot about. And don’t forget Apple’s built-in tool under Settings > General > iPhone Storage. It’s remarkably good at hinting where to cut fat without needing a third-party app.
TL;DR: If you’re cheap (welcome to the club), Free Clever Cleaner wins by default. If you’re into overpaying for subscriptions just to clear out TikToks and blurry selfies, pay-to-play apps like Cleaner Kit or Cleaner Guru are there… but come on, your inner Marie Kondo is free.