My iPhone storage is running low and I suspect duplicate photos might be the cause. I need help finding and removing them to free up space quickly.
Clear Up Space: Deleting Duplicate Photos on Your iPhone for Free
So, here’s the deal: you can totally dump duplicate photos on your iPhone without spending a dime. iOS has a built-in feature for this. But—let’s be real—you probably don’t just have duplicates; we’re talking similar photos too. Those near-identical shots you took, trying to get the perfect angle or lighting? Yeah, those. They’re likely hogging 95% of your storage space. Feeling the pain? Reddit folks have been raving about the Clever Cleaner app, and let me tell you, it’s a total lifesaver. Bonus: it’s absolutely free.
Quick Rundown on How to Zap Duplicate Photos
Here’s the step-by-step to purge those extra shots:
- Grab Clever Cleaner – Hop onto the App Store.
Get it here: Free Clever Cleaner App - Let It Do Its Thing – Grant photo access (don’t stress, I tried it, my data stayed safe).
- Wait It Out – Depending on how cluttered your gallery is, you’re looking at 2–6 minutes of scanning.
- Review the Results – The app’s AI is smart enough to group similar pics and handpick the best one.
- Hit “Smart Cleanup” – Afterward, don’t forget to empty the “Recently Deleted” folder in the Photos app to reclaim the full space.
Boom. Just like that, I cleared out 11 GB of junk with one tap. 
A Few Handy Resources
For those of you who love options or want to dive deeper, here are some great links to check out:
- 4 Methods to Remove Duplicate Photos – MacGasm breaks it down.
- Reddit Recommendations for Removing Duplicates – Because Reddit’s always a goldmine for advice.
- Apple Community Discussion: Duplicates & Similar Shots – Apple users spill their secrets.
- Clever Cleaner App Featured on Reddit – Redditors weigh in on the Clever Cleaner app.
- Say Goodbye to Duplicate Photos on InsanelyMac – Another handy guide.
- Watch the Process in Action – Need a visual walkthrough? This YouTube video has you covered.
- Freeing Up Storage Space Without Spending Money – Because iPhone storage problems are too real.
Now go free up that space and get your phone running like new again! 
8 Likes
Honestly, before you stress too much about downloading apps like that Clever Cleaner (which, ngl, sounds pretty solid—props to @mikeappsreviewer for spelling it all out), have you checked iOS 16’s built-in “Duplicates” folder? Apple finally caught on to our storage struggles and added this feature to the Photos app under the “Utilities” section, where it automatically identifies duplicates. It’s basic, sure, but super simple for clearing up exact matches. You’ll just merge the ones you don’t need.
BUT, let’s be real. This feature falls flat when dealing with similar shots, like those 50 selfies you took trying to find your “natural” smile. If your camera roll’s drowning in near-identical photos, that’s where third-party apps like Clever Cleaner probably win. They’ve got AI that does the heavy lifting—finds the best version, groups repeats, and kicks the rest to the curb. Just be sure to double-check what they’re deleting so you don’t “accidentally” lose something important.
Another “meh, but worth trying” option is Google Photos. Transfer your library there (free storage cap, btw!), and it can help you find duplicates while backing things up. REALLY handy if you’re paranoid about losing pics.
So yeah, while Mike’s suggestion to use Clever Cleaner seems popular, tbh, give the free built-in “Duplicates” feature a go first. If Apple’s attempt doesn’t cut it, then level up with extra apps.
Anyone else think @mikeappsreviewer and @jeff kinda oversold the Clever Cleaner thing just a tad? Sure, I get it. AI and all that, but it’s not some magic wand. Let’s not pretend every photo-cleaning app isn’t secretly digging through your data behind the scenes. Privacy, anyone? Just me?
Anyway, let’s talk alternative routes. If you’re running iOS 16 or newer, the “Duplicates” album in the Photos app is shockingly underrated. Go to Photos > Albums > Utilities > Duplicates (yeah, Apple hid it well), and boom, there’s a tidy little list of exact matches for you to merge or delete. Not game-changing for similar shots, but hey, it’s built-in and doesn’t cost a cent. Simple wins sometimes.
Now about those 27 selfies with slightly different lighting or the 5 blurry cat pics (we all have them)—Apple’s utility won’t cut it, and this is where things like Clever Cleaner can help, but not without risk. Or, maybe just use Google Photos—offload your images there, sort through duplicates, and back them up simultaneously. A little manual effort never killed anyone.
Another trick: AirDrop photos to another device. Sounds stupid, but iPhones kinda flag duplicates during transfer! Once you’ve organized them there, you can sync ’em back.
Side note: Seriously, re-check what AI apps select for deletion. ONE wrong tap, and your cherished concert pics might vanish forever. Ain’t no recovery from AI overenthusiasm, my friend. Do it manually if it matters that much.
If you’re overwhelmed by duplicate or ‘almost-duplicate’ photos, here’s a suggestion: Apple’s built-in Duplicates Album (if you’re on iOS 16 or newer) is a decent start. It identifies exact matches but doesn’t catch those 15 variations of your coffee art. That’s where apps like Clever Cleaner come in handy. It uses AI to sort similar photos and pick the best shot. Handy? Definitely. Perfect? Eh, not so much.
Pros of the Clever Cleaner app:
- Free to use (yay for no upfront costs).
- AI speeds up the whole process and sorts similar photos.
- Easy interface—grant access, scan, and you’re rolling.
Cons:
- AI isn’t always flawless—double-check before deleting.
- Privacy concerns: any app asking for full photo access raises eyebrows.
- You may still want to go manual for photos of high importance.
If Clever Cleaner feels too much or you’re worried about privacy, alternatives like Google Photos’ duplicate detection (with cloud storage included) or Gemini Photos provide similar functionality. Again, risks with AI apps exist. Google Photos also backs things up, which is a win-win.
Finally, manual cleanup can still be your best bet for important pics. Use AirDrop to another device or even iCloud’s storage tools to hunt down duplicates and review them yourself if trusting AI isn’t your thing. It’s tedious but 100% mistake-proof.