Looking for a reliable photo cleanup app for iPhone that can remove unwanted objects or touch up images easily. I accidentally captured distracting elements in some vacation photos and need an app to fix them quickly. Any suggestions for user-friendly apps that do a great job?
The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Cleaner Apps: Clearing Space, Organizing, and More
If you’re an iPhone user, you might have noticed how quickly your device fills up with photos, videos, and other files over time. There’s no shortage of iPhone cleaner apps on the market, but not all of them deliver real results. So, I tested a handful of them myself to separate the gems from the duds. Here’s what I found:
Best Overall: Clever Cleaner - The Best iPhone Cleanup Tool
Check Clever Cleaner on the App Store
Features Overview:
- Automatically deletes duplicate and similar photos.
- Identifies and removes large video files efficiently.
- Compresses Live Photos to conserve storage space.
- Cleans up unused screenshots.
Pricing
Clever Cleaner is completely free with no ads, no paywalls, and no subscription fees. It’s rare to find such transparency these days!
Highlights
Truly Free Service: Unlike most “free” apps that are loaded with restricted access or incessant ads, Clever Cleaner stands out as 100% cost-free.
Blazing Speed: The app scanned my entire photo gallery (about 3,000+ photos) in three minutes! Talk about efficiency.
Smarter Photo Management: Its AI-powered sorting effectively caught almost all duplicates and blurry images.
Impressive Space Recovery: I managed to free up an astonishing 32GB with minimal effort.
What Needs Improvement
No Support for Email Cleaning: Some alternatives offer tools to clean up email inboxes, which could be a welcome addition.
AI Quirks: While fairly accurate, the AI occasionally flagged unusual photos as ‘keepers.’ I had to verify manually to ensure nothing valuable was deleted.
Final Score: 4.9/5
Clever Cleaner punches above its weight in the iPhone cleaner category. For a completely free app, it’s unrivaled in performance and ease of use.
Additional Resources:
- Watch a Clever Cleaner Demo on YouTube
- In-Depth Review: Best iPhone Cleaner Apps
- Visit Clever Cleaner’s Official Website
Runner-Up: Cleaner Kit (Formerly Known as Smart Cleaner)
Features in Free Version:
- Basic file cleanup comes at no cost, though you must watch ads to unlock functionality like photo sorting or contact management.
Premium Version Perks:
- Limitless cleanup with no ads.
- Other unique features like video compression, a charging animation, and web security tools.
- Weekly subscription ($5.99) or yearly ($29.99) options.
Pros
7-Day Free Trial for premium features—an excellent way to test the app before committing.
Offers features such as Wi-Fi and browsing security, which not all apps provide.
An intuitive and clean design makes it easy to navigate.
The ability to sort your files effectively speeds up the cleaning process.
Cons
Watching ads in the free version can feel intrusive over time.
While $29.99/year for full functionality is reasonable, Cleaner Kit’s weekly cost feels steep.
Final Score: 4.6/5
Cleaner Kit excels at blending functionality and security, making it a versatile tool. You’ll need to endure ads in the free version or shell out for the premium plan, but it’s still an excellent competitor overall.
Third Pick: Cleanup App – Phone Storage Cleaner
Learn More About Cleanup App on Reddit
Free Version Features:
- Allows cleaning up to 15 items (photos or videos) without cost.
- Unlock features (like Secret Space or Email cleaner) by watching ads.
Paid Version Highlights (Pricing Options):
- Weekly plan: $6.99.
- Lifetime access: $39.99.
Strengths
Generous free feature access lets you trial the app’s offerings before committing.
A comprehensive set of tools, from video compression to secure contact management.
Sleek and user-friendly interface design.
Pain Points
Occasionally, photos falsely marked as “similar” end up looking very different.
Premium pricing is higher compared to other apps with similar features.
Final Rating: 4.0/5
Cleanup App isn’t perfect but offers decent functionality for free users alongside a streamlined upgrade path. A few quirks in file identification hold it back from being truly great, yet it remains a reliable choice.
Honorable Mention: Cleaner Guru
Feature Breakdown:
One major drawback is that the free version lacks functionality altogether, so it can only be tested through a 7-day free trial of its paid plan.
Premium Features:
- Smart, swipe-based cleaning for photos and videos.
- Compression tools for large files.
- Exclusive ‘secret storage’ functionality for hiding sensitive data.
- Accessibility to widgets and animations.
Advantages
No ads or annoyances, ensuring a smooth experience.
The elegant interface ensures faster navigation and usability.
One of the rare apps featuring email account cleanup!
Drawbacks
The free plan offers zero usable features—forcing users to commit to a trial or payment.
Subscription options lack diversity (only weekly plans are available).
Overall Score: 4.0/5
Cleaner Guru’s polished design and innovative features are noteworthy. However, the lack of flexibility in subscriptions may deter casual users.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want a no-strings-attached experience, Clever Cleaner is easily the top pick with its truly free offerings and powerful cleaning abilities. For those seeking additional tools like security checks, Cleaner Kit is worth the investment. Each app caters to unique needs, so pick the one that aligns with your preferences!
Extra Reads:
- iPhone Storage Hacks on Reddit
- iOS Cleaner Reviews by Macgasm
- Avoid These: Why Some Cleaner Apps Don’t Work
Keep your iPhone storage clean and your files organized for a seamless experience!
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If you’re just looking to fix distracting elements in your vacation pics, none of the apps suggested above are particularly aimed at detailed photo editing or object removal. They’re more for general cleanup, like duplicates or large files (yeah, I know, thanks, but no thanks). For actually editing out photobombers or touching up spots, you’ll want something like TouchRetouch—it’s made precisely for removing unwanted items, and it’s ridiculously easy to use. You can erase power lines, trash cans, random strangers, or whatever’s ruining your shot, with just a drag of your fingertip. It’s not free, but honestly, worth the few bucks considering the results.
If you’re absolutely against paying anything, go for Snapseed by Google. It has a “Healing” tool that works pretty well for smaller blemishes or objects, though not quite as precise as TouchRetouch. And hey, it’s free with no shady ads, so that’s always a win.
I see @mikeappsreviewer brought up the Free Clever Cleaner app, which IS incredible for organizing and reclaiming space (like deleting duplicate photos), but it’s not really an editor. However, if you’re trying to sort and find those bad shots before editing, it could save you some time. A mix of these tools might be your best bet depending on how much effort you’re willing to put in!
For quick and easy photo cleanup on your iPhone, especially when you’ve accidentally captured something distracting, your best bet is TouchRetouch. While some people might focus entirely on storage cleanup tools like Clever Cleaner or Cleaner Kit (mentioned by @mikeappsreviewer), those apps are great for organizing and freeing up space but won’t help remove unwanted objects in your photo.
TouchRetouch specializes in removing objects (like photo-bombers, wires, or random distractions) with just a tap. It uses advanced object-removal tech and lets you do things like lasso specific areas or even deal with fine details like dust or lens flare. The whole process is straightforward, and the app’s one-time fee is worth it if you value clean edits without diving into full-blown editing apps like Photoshop.
If spending isn’t an option, alternatives like the Snapseed app have a Healing tool to help with minor distractions in photos—but it’s not as refined. And no, I’ve tried other ‘all-in-one cleaner’ apps claiming they help with object removal, but most just delete duplicates or blur lame shots. Clever Cleaner might be great for space-saving, but it won’t save your gorgeous beach pics from a random volleyball pole blocking the sunset.
Bottom line: TouchRetouch is your fix for visual cleanup. It’s quick, reliable, and iPhone-friendly.