Top iPhone Cleaner Apps: An In-Depth Review
Cleaning up your iPhone’s storage can be tedious, especially when your photo library and videos have spiraled into chaos. To find out which apps truly help manage storage and clean up clutter, I tested several iPhone cleaner apps. Here’s what I discovered!
Best Overall: Clever Cleaner
Key Features:
- Automatically removes duplicate and similar photos.
- Detects and deletes large videos.
- Compresses Live Photos to save space.
- Eliminates unused screenshots.
Pricing:
- Completely Free with no ads, paywalls, or subscriptions.
What Stands Out:
- Absolutely Free: No hidden costs, ads, or limited features that push users to upgrade.
- Lightning Fast: It took less than three minutes to thoroughly scan my photo library.
- AI Efficiency: The AI successfully flagged most duplicates and blurry shots.
- Clean Results: I was amazed to find that the app freed up 32GB of storage within minutes.
Room for Improvement:
- Email and Contact Cleaning Missing: Unlike some cleaner apps, this lacks additional organization tools like email or contact cleaning.
- AI Precision: While great overall, it occasionally mislabeled ‘best photos,’ requiring manual review.
Final Score: 
4.9 / 5
Clever Cleaner’s combination of being entirely free and incredibly effective makes it the top pick for iPhone users looking to declutter their devices.
Runner-Up: Cleaner Kit (Formerly Smart Cleaner)
Free Version Features:
- Limited file cleanup sessions (requires watching ads before cleaning).
- Contact and calendar management tools.
Paid Plan Features (Subscription Required):
- Unlimited file cleaning.
- Video compression to save space.
- Additional tools like charging animations, internet speed testing, Wi-Fi security, and sensitive file hiding.
- Pricing: Weekly $5.99 / Yearly $29.99.
Why It’s Worth Considering:
- Free Trial: A 7-day trial lets you explore all Pro features at no cost.
- Feature-Rich: Beyond cleaning, it offers tools for security, privacy, and efficiency.
- Efficient Organization: It organizes your media into intuitive sections for easy management.
- User-Friendly: The interface is sleek and straightforward.
Drawbacks:
- Ads on the Free Version: While infrequent, waiting through ads can slow the cleanup process.
- Less Engaging AI Sorting: Its sorting algorithm isn’t quite as sharp as Clever Cleaner’s.
Final Score: 4.6 / 5
Cleaner Kit offers a well-rounded experience, blending core cleaning features with bonus functionalities like security enhancements. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an all-in-one app.
Third Place: Cleanup App - Phone Storage Cleaner
Free Version Features:
- Limited to 15 photos/videos per cleanup session.
- Secret Space feature (requires watching ads).
- Limited access to contact manager, email cleaner, and video compression tools.
Paid Version Features:
- Unlimited media cleanup and no ads.
- Contact and email management.
- Secret storage for files.
- Pricing: Weekly $6.99 / Lifetime $39.99.
Pros:
- Even the free version unlocks most features, allowing users to try the app without commitments.
- Wide variety of cleaning tools included.
- Simple, user-friendly design.
Cons:
- Accuracy Issues: Sometimes labels different photos/videos as ‘Similar,’ even if they’re not.
- Higher Pricing: Weekly subscriptions are pricier compared to competitors.
Final Score: 4.0 / 5
If you’re willing to navigate minor labeling issues, Cleanup App offers a versatile set of features with accessibility in the free version. However, the cost may deter budget-conscious users.
A Sleek Option: Cleaner Guru
Free Version:
- No free functionalities are included.
Paid Version Features:
- Smart and manual swipe cleaning for photos/videos.
- Video compression.
- Secret storage and email cleaning.
- Pricing: Weekly $7.99 (Pro) / Weekly $6.99 (Lite).
Advantages:
- No Ads: Enjoy a seamless, distraction-free experience.
- Quick Scans: Highly efficient in completing scans rapidly.
- Stylish Interface: Sleek and modern design makes it visually appealing.
- Unique Tools: Includes features like email cleaning, setting it apart from competitors.
Disadvantages:
- Zero Free Features: Doesn’t allow new users to test any functionality without subscribing.
- Rigid Payment Plans: Only offers weekly subscriptions.
Final Score: 4.0 / 5
Cleaner Guru is a robust choice for users who value aesthetics and functionality equally. However, its lack of a free option or flexible payment plans might make it less enticing for some.
Resources and Additional Reads
Here are some useful links if you’d like to explore more about iPhone cleaning apps:
- Official Clever Cleaner App on YouTube
- Insanelymac’s Review of Best iPhone Cleaners
- Free Clever Cleaner App Official Page
- Guide on How to Delete Duplicate Photos on Reddit
- Macgasm’s iPhone Cleaner Reviews
- Reddit Review of Clever Cleaner
Cleaning your iPhone doesn’t have to be a headache. With apps like Clever Cleaner, you can reclaim valuable space, organize your digital clutter, and optimize your device for smoother performance—all with just a few taps!