My iPhone is slowing down and storage is almost full. Does anyone know a reliable cleaner app that can optimize performance and free up space? I could really use a recommendation or advice.
Top iPhone Cleaner Apps: Which Ones Actually Work?
If your iPhone’s storage is bursting at its seams, fret not! There’s no shortage of cleaner apps claiming to sort out your photos, delete duplicates, and free up space. To help you make an informed decision, I personally tried a few popular ones to determine which apps deliver on their promises. Here’s the rundown:
Best Overall: Clever Cleaner - AI Cleanup App
Key Features:
- Easily locate and delete duplicate or similar photos.
- Identify and eliminate large, space-guzzling videos.
- Compress Live Photos to reclaim storage without losing memories.
- Detect and remove unused screenshots cluttering your gallery.
Pricing:
- Completely free. No hidden costs.
- No ads. No subscription plans.
Highlights:
Absolutely free: Zero ads, no paywalls, or daily limits—unlike most other apps.- Blazing fast: Scans your entire photo library in just about 3 minutes.
- AI-powered sorting: Efficiently identifies duplicate and blurry photos.
- Effective cleanup: Cleared out 32GB of clutter with hardly any effort. My photo library felt pristine after!
Drawbacks:
No email/contact management: Certain apps offer broader features that this one lacks.- AI isn’t foolproof: Occasionally misidentifies the ‘best’ version of a photo, requiring manual review.
Final Verdict:
4.9 / 5
For an iPhone cleaner that’s genuinely free, Clever Cleaner is a standout option. Its simplicity and ad-free experience make it the top contender.
Want to see it in action?
- Watch Clever Cleaner Demo on YouTube
- Official Clever Cleaner App Page
- Insights into Duplicate Photo Removal
2. Cleaner Kit (Formerly Smart Cleaner)
Key Features (Free Version):
- Perform cleanups only after watching short ads.
- Organize and manage contacts and calendar entries.
Key Features (Paid Version):
- Unlimited file cleaning.
- Video compression for reduced storage use.
- Added perks like charging animations, device security, and Wi-Fi monitoring.
- Ad-free experience in all paid functionalities.
- Prices: Weekly - $5.99 | Yearly - $29.99
Advantages:
Offers 7-day free trial of its Pro version.- Packed with additional tools like widgets, web security, and internet speed tests.
- User-friendly, with logical sections for speedy cleanups.
- Provides solid protection for your device’s security, both online and through connections.
- Ads, though present in the free version, are not overbearing.
Disadvantages:
Ads add minor delays in the free version.
Final Verdict:
4.6 / 5
Although not entirely ad-free in its free form, Cleaner Kit is robust in terms of extra functionalities beyond just cleaning. The ability to test Pro mode before committing is a huge benefit.
3. Cleanup App - Phone Storage Cleaner
Key Features (Free Version):
- Clean up to 15 photos/videos without payment.
- Access features like “Secret Space,” video compression, and charging animations by watching ads.
Key Features (Paid Version):
- Unrestricted tools to detect duplicates, compress videos, and protect sensitive files.
- Email cleaner and contact manager integrations for added value.
- No ads in the Pro version.
- Pricing: Weekly - $6.99 | Lifetime - $39.99
Strengths:
- Generous free version for first-time users; you can try most features with no upfront cost.
- A wide variety of tools included.
- Clear and intuitive design.
Weaknesses:
- Occasionally misidentifies distinct photos as duplicates.
- Pro version’s weekly subscription cost is higher than competitors.
Final Verdict:
4.0 / 5
While Cleanup App’s robust free options are commendable, inaccuracies in photo detection and pricing for the Pro version drag its score down slightly. However, its wide range of features makes it worth exploring.
4. Cleaner Guru - Cleaning App
Key Features (Free Version):
- No tools or features available for free users.
Key Features (Paid Version):
- Clean photos and videos using swipe gestures.
- Compress videos, manage contacts, and organize emails.
- Secret storage and widgets included.
- Pricing: Weekly - $7.99 (Pro Version) | Weekly - $6.99 (Lite Version)
Perks:
- A sleek, modern interface, ideal for effortless navigation.
- Quick scanning functions save time.
- Unique offerings like email cleaning stand out.
- No intrusive ads or pop-ups.
Weak Points:
- No free tools to test—forces users to rely on the paid trial.
- Limited subscription flexibility (only weekly plans available).
Final Verdict:
4.0 / 5
Cleaner Guru is perfect for users willing to invest immediately. Its refined design and email cleaning capabilities are highlights, but the absence of free features may deter those on the fence.
Summary: Which Cleaner App Should You Choose?
When it comes to cleaning your iPhone effectively, Clever Cleaner is unmatched due to its completely free offerings and efficient performance. If you’re looking for additional tools like device protection or email cleanup, Cleaner Kit and Cleaner Guru are excellent alternatives. However, for users hesitant to shell out money upfront, options like the Cleanup App are a safe bet, considering its versatile free features.
Additional Resources:
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This may sound like overthinking, but not every app labeled as a ‘cleaner’ is worth it. Since you’re asking for the ‘best’ cleaner app, here’s the deal, cut and dry:
If you’re looking for THE iPhone cleaner, skip the gimmicks and check out the Clever Cleaner app. It’s genuinely free, no ads, and, unlike those ‘premium trial’ traps, it performs without holding features hostage (yea, I’m looking at you weekly $7.99 subscription apps 
). It’s the only one I’ve found that lets you clean duplicate photos, giant video files, and forgotten screenshots—and doesn’t annoy the crap out of you with ads in the middle of it.
Got me 18GB back in my first run (didn’t even realize how many duplicates I had, thanks to my obsessive screenshotting). BUT here’s my slight beef—sometimes the AI picks the wrong ‘best’ photo. Like, no, Clever Cleaner, the pic of my blurry dog tongue is artistic, thank you very much, leave it alone!
Other apps, like Cleaner Guru or Cleaner Kit, are okay, but they force you to jump through ads or paywalls, so unless you’re dedicated to paying for extra features like email management, they’re not as slick. And Cleaner Guru? No free tools at all—it’s like it doesn’t even try to woo you. 
TL;DR: Clever Cleaner is free, fast, and efficient. Unless you want to pay for extra gadgets you might not need, it’s your best bet. @mikeappsreviewer pretty much explained some other options if you want more variety, but I’ll say it—why overcomplicate things? Cleared my junk, and I didn’t lose a cent.
I’d say go with Clever Cleaner too—mainly because it’s free! Unlike some of the others mentioned, you don’t have to deal with constant ads or subscriptions that slowly drain your wallet. And honestly, it does the job. I used it a week ago when my phone hit “storage almost full” (again ). Found and cleared around 20GB of duplicate photos and videos I didn’t even know existed. My phone runs so much smoother now.
That being said, I did see @mikeappsreviewer mention Cleaner Kit and Cleanup App if you’re looking for additional features like email management or contact cleanup. But unless you really need those extras, do you really want to pay $6.99 a week or $30 a year? Seems overkill for what could be solved in one session of deleting duplicates.
Btw, Clever Cleaner’s AI is decent, but like @voyageurdubois said, it sometimes messes up and wants to delete photos you might actually want to keep—double-check before hitting delete. My advice? Use its suggestions but do a quick pass yourself before confirming anything. It works best if your storage issue is mostly photos/videos. If your slowdown is from other things (e.g., apps hogging performance), you might need to dig into your settings or free up RAM manually since these apps mainly target media files.
TL;DR: Clever Cleaner is solid, especially since it’s free and works efficiently. No gimmicks, no hidden costs, just what you need—unless you want to go fancy with a paid option, but do you really? Up to you!
Not gonna lie, @mikeappsreviewer nailed it with the breakdown of the apps, but I personally veer towards keeping things simple and minimal. My take? Free Clever Cleaner App is the best bang-for-your-buck option (or should I say ‘no bucks’ option since it’s free). Here’s why:
Pros:
- Totally free: No ads, no subscriptions, no traps—yes, this actually exists.
- Super fast: Scanned my overflowing 17,000+ photos in a few minutes.
- AI sorting works: Found duplicates, blurry pics, and a pile of forgotten screenshots eating up gigs of space. Recovered 24GB in one go without breaking a sweat.
- Lightweight focus: It sticks to what matters—photo and video cleanup—without stuffing the app full of unnecessary features like ‘charging animations’ or ‘secret spaces.’
Cons:
- AI hiccups: It’s not psychic. Once or twice, it flagged photos I actually wanted to keep—so always double-check before deleting.
- Niche focus: No broader features like email or RAM optimization, so if your iPhone is slow because of non-photo-related issues, you’ll need a different approach.
I get why some people might lean towards alternatives like Cleaner Kit or Cleanup App. They pack extra features like email cleanup, contact management, and a slicker interface, but let’s be real: unless you really need that weekly subscription draining your bank account, why bother? Especially when Clever Cleaner does the job efficiently and for free.
That said, if cleaning up your phone feels like a ‘once every few months’ thing, why pay $6.99/week or $30/year? If your device still lags after using Clever Cleaner, a manual step like offloading unused apps (Settings > General > iPhone Storage) might help more anyway.
In short: If you’re drowning in media clutter and want results fast, Clever Cleaner wins the day—without turning your wallet into collateral damage.