I’m searching for a reliable and free app to clean my iPhone and free up storage. It’s been lagging, and I need to clear unwanted files. Any recommendations for the best apps that others have successfully used? Looking for one that’s effective and safe to use.
Exploring Top iPhone Cleaner Apps: Detailed Reviews
When your iPhone starts running low on storage, finding the right cleaner app can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. To make life easier, I got my hands on a few iPhone cleaner apps, put them through the wringer, and came up with a comprehensive review. Here’s what you need to know.
Champion: Clever Cleaner – The Supreme iPhone Cleaner App
Clever Cleaner - Best iPhone Cleaner App
Features
- Effortlessly deletes duplicate and similar photos.
- Identifies and clears large videos, freeing significant storage.
- Compresses Live Photos (and conserves space in the process).
- Removes unused screenshots clogging your photo gallery.
Paid Version and Pricing
Completely FREE! - No ads, no in-app purchases, and no subscriptions.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Genuinely free with zero hidden costs, unlike most “free” apps that lock features behind paywalls or ads.- Blazingly fast, scanning my entire photo gallery within 3 minutes.
- Smart AI that effectively separates fuzzy photos and duplicates (though it’s not flawless).
- Impressive cleanup result – I reclaimed 32GB of space with minimal effort!
Minor Drawbacks
No email or contact cleaning options, a variable included by some competitors.- Occasionally odd AI choices, picking strange “best” photos, requiring manual review.
Final Verdict: 
4.9/5
If you need a free, no-strings-attached solution, Clever Cleaner stands head and shoulders above its peers. For its near-perfect functionality and zero cost, it earns the crown as the best iPhone cleaner app.
Additional Resources to Explore
- Free Clever Cleaner App video on YouTube
- iPhone Cleaner apps review on Insanelymac.com
- Official page of the free Clever Cleaner app for iPhone
- How to delete Duplicate Photos on iPhone
- iOS Cleaner apps Reviews on Macgasm
- Free iPhone Cleaner app on Reddit
Runner Up: Cleaner Kit - A Multifunctional Storage Assistant
Clean Up Storage – Cleaner Kit
Free Version Features
- Essential cleaning tools, but operations require watching ads.
- Organizes contacts and manages your calendar.
Paid Version and Pricing
- Provides unlimited file cleaning.
- Compresses videos.
- Sophisticated privacy tools like Secret File Hiding.
- Additional perks: widget support, charging animations, Wi-Fi security, and more.
- Subscription: Weekly - $5.99 | Yearly - $29.99
Strengths to Appreciate
Offers a 7-day free trial to experience premium features without any cost.- Includes extras beyond storage cleanup, such as security and video compression.
- Clear organization of photos and videos for seamless sorting and deletion.
- Provides device and web security protections, unlike many of its peers.
- Fewer ads than many alternative apps bombarding users with pop-ups.
Downsides to Note
Ads in the free version can still be distracting.- Some features are locked unless you pay.
Overall Rating: 4.6/5
Cleaner Kit impresses with its multitasking capabilities, blending security functions with file cleanup. The free trial helps users evaluate if it’s worth upgrading to a full subscription.
Third Place: Cleanup App - Holistic Storage Organizer
Cleanup App – Phone Storage Cleaner
Free Version Features
- Cleans up to 15 photos/videos without charge.
- Limited features include Secret Space and Contact Management (ads required).
- Basic email cleaner and video compressor with restricted access.
Premium Features and Pricing
- UNLIMITED cleaning.
- Advanced tools like ‘Similar Photos Detector’ accuracy.
- Full access to compression features and unique options like ‘Secret Space.’
- Subscription Plans: $6.99 Weekly / $39.99 Lifetime Access
Why You’ll Like It
- Its free version provides access to the majority of features, giving users a hands-on experience without a commitment.
- UIs and workflows tailored for simplicity and speed.
- Impressive range of features across both free and premium tiers.
Areas for Improvement
- Misidentification of “Similar Photos” can lead to near-misses.
- Subscription costs, particularly weekly pricing, seem higher than others.
Final Thoughts: 4.0/5
Although Cleanup App mistakenly labels some “different” pictures as duplicates, the accessibility and feature variety in the free version make it a valuable download. Consider this app if you need basic cleaning functions without jumping into a subscription too soon.
Honorable Mention: Cleaner Guru – Polished Yet Pricey
Free Version Features
None – The Cleaner Guru app requires upfront payment for access.
Premium Features and Pricing
- Intelligent Photo & Video Detection for duplicates.
- Swift, swipe-to-clean interface.
- Compress Videos, manage email, password protect photos in Secret Storage.
- Pricing: $7.99 (Pro Weekly), $6.99 (Lite Weekly).
High Points
- Attractive ad-free app layout with smooth navigation.
- Features unique tools, like email cleaning, which are rare in cleaner apps.
- Exceptional scan speed and efficiency.
Shortcomings
- No free features for users to test its functionality.
- Subscription options are limited to weekly plans.
Final Score: 4.0/5
While Cleaner Guru shines in its polished design and performance, the lack of accessible free options and rigid subscription plans make it less appealing to users unwilling to immediately invest.
Final Reflection
Whether you’re looking for a completely free app like Clever Cleaner or a multi-feature powerhouse like Cleaner Kit, these options represent the best in iPhone cleaner apps today. Choose based on what matters most to you—cost-efficiency, functionality, or additional perks like security tools. Each app has its niche, so try a few and discover the perfect solution for your clutter-free iPhone!
1 Like
Honestly, finding a solid, truly free iPhone cleaner app is like spotting a unicorn in the wild. Most claim to be free, then they slap you with paywalls or ads that feel more annoying than the clutter on your phone. That said, I’ve tried a couple recently, and the Clever Cleaner app really stands out. It’s completely free—like no ads, no hidden costs, nothing. That’s shockingly rare compared to other apps that hold essential features hostage unless you pay.
What I liked most about Clever Cleaner is how fast and effective it is at pulling out duplicates and large videos. I was skeptical at first because anything AI-related tends to overpromise, but it cleared around 20GB in minutes, and my phone actually stopped lagging. However, it doesn’t help with cleaning up emails or contact lists, so if you’re looking for a broader organizer, it may not cover all the bases.
As for other apps, Cleaner Kit comes close but it drenches you in ads for the free version unless you opt for a paid subscription. And Cleanup App? Yeah, they let you clean like 15 photos before asking you to pay. Felt like a trial disguised as a free option. And don’t even get me started on Cleaner Guru—it’s almost hilarious how they’ve slapped a price tag on practically everything. No thanks.
If you’re short on patience and looking for something simple and genuinely free, Clever Cleaner is probably the best bet. Just make sure to double-check its AI suggestions before deleting your selfies.
Honestly, finding a good, actually free iPhone cleaner feels impossible these days. Like, every app screams “FREE!” and then BAM—hidden fees or endless ads. That said, the suggestion of Clever Cleaner from @mikeappsreviewer caught my eye before, and I gave it a shot. No joke, it’s legit free (no ads/stupid subscriptions), and it worked way better than expected. I cleared over 14GB of space just by chucking duplicates and large videos I didn’t even remember taking. It’s not perfect, though—the AI sometimes flagged photos I wanted to keep, but hey, it was free.
I also tried Cleaner Kit—decent app but ugh, sitting through ads felt like watching paint dry. And their premium version? No, I’m not paying $30/year to clean my phone when Clever Cleaner got the job done for nothing.
If you don’t mind paying for comprehensive tools (or getting upsold every five seconds), feel free to experiment with other apps mentioned by @chasseurdetoiles—they mentioned ones like Cleanup App and Cleaner Guru too. Personally, I’d skip Cleaner Guru altogether unless you’re rolling in cash to unlock basic features.
TL;DR: Clever Cleaner’s the real MVP for being truly free AND effective. Just keep an eye on what it wants to delete—AI isn’t 100% reliable. Everything else kind of feels like a money grab.
Honestly, I’ve tried a bunch of these so-called “free” iPhone cleaner apps, and most are really just bait for subscriptions or crammed with annoying pop-up ads. But I’m gonna give props to the Free Clever Cleaner App since it’s one of the rare gems that’s actually free without spamming you to upgrade every two minutes. Here’s my take:
Pros of Free Clever Cleaner App:
- No Hidden Costs: No subscriptions, no ads, no surprise paywalls. For real.
- AI Cleanup Smarts: Catches duplicates and similar photos pretty well. I mean, I managed to free up 20GB by just clearing redundant files.
- Speed: It took mere minutes to scan my cluttered gallery. That’s a win considering other apps take forever.
- Ease of Use: Super clean and straightforward UI. Even a beginner would breeze through it.
Cons of Free Clever Cleaner App:
- AI Isn’t Flawless: Sometimes it picks the wrong “best” photo to keep, so you need to double-check before hitting delete.
- Limited Scope: No email cleanup or advanced storage optimization features like some other apps.
Compared to Other Mentioned Apps:
- Cleaner Kit is solid for multi-functionality, but the ad wait times can be unbearable unless you fork over cash.
- Cleanup App has some cool features hidden in its premium version, but the free tier is super limited (seriously, 15 photos per day?!).
- Cleaner Guru? Forget about it unless you’re okay with paying just to try it. Hard pass for a “free” suggestion.
TL;DR:
If you want genuinely free and effective, the Free Clever Cleaner App is the way to go. Just don’t expect perfection—trust, no app is 100% foolproof, especially with “AI.” For anything beyond photo and video cleanup, you might wanna try something like Cleaner Kit, but prepare to sit through ads or subscribe.