Kevin's Picks: Why Clever Cleaner is the Best iPhone Cleanup App I Have Ever Used
Free up space on your iPhone with Clever Cleaner. This app organizes and easily clears duplicates, screenshots, and large files. Early adopters get every feature unlocked at no cost.
Managing storage on an iPhone is often a challenge. Photos, videos, and screenshots build up quickly, leaving less and less space available. Rich DeMuro of RichOnTech.tV suggested an app called Clever Cleaner, and it is the most effective app I have ever used for organizing and clearing out unnecessary files. What makes it different is not just the range of features, but also the fact that it is completely free right now with every option unlocked for early adopters, and apparently it will stay that way.
Smart Photo Cleanup
Clever Cleaner goes beyond a basic duplicate finder. It uses AI to identify exact duplicates, similar-looking photos, and even Live Photos that take up space. It also groups screenshots together, which is perfect for clearing out those accidental captures and quick saves that pile up over time. Having all of these tools in one place makes cleaning up the photo library a lot easier.
For each collection of what it finds, you can go through them one by one, or tap “Select All”, which I did, since I have it all backed up to iCloud or Dropbox.
Large File Detection
Another strong feature is the ability to find large files that eat up storage. Whether it is a long video or a file you forgot about, Clever Cleaner highlights what is taking the most space so you can make quick decisions about what to delete. This is especially helpful on iPhones with smaller storage options where every gigabyte matters.
Intuitive and Simple Design
The app’s layout is straightforward and easy to use. Everything is clearly labeled, and it only takes a few taps to run a scan and see results. You are not overwhelmed with settings or complicated tools. There are no nagging upsell messages.
Why It Is Free
The most surprising part of Clever Cleaner is the price. It is completely free with no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases.
According to Cult of Mac, the developers have said that early adopters will get all features and future updates free forever.
While it is possible that new features or limitations may arrive in the future that will incur costs for future users, this is a rare opportunity to obtain a fully functional iPhone cleaner without spending anything.
Criticisms and Limitations
Clever Cleaner has been well-received overall, but it is not without its drawbacks.
Some App Store reviewers have noted that the app can miss certain duplicates or similar photos, particularly in collections with unique images such as artwork or anime. In those cases, Apple’s own Photos app sometimes does a better job of detecting similarities.
I think that’s unfair criticism, because anime and art is hard. Common objects and people are easier to detect.
Users on Reddit have also pointed out that the AI does not always pick the “best” photo in a group, which can be frustrating if the suggested results do not match your preferences. I also think this is unfair criticism, because the “best” photo is subjective and a personal preference.
There are also concerns around privacy and permissions. Like other cleaner apps, Clever Cleaner requires full access to the photo library to work effectively.
While there are no major reports of misuse and the developers say photos are not uploaded to the cloud, some users remain cautious about granting this level of access.
Others have reported that the app occasionally struggles with cloud-based photos that are not fully downloaded to the device, leaving gaps in its scanning. This is another point that I think is unfair. The app prides itself on clearing up space on your iPhone, not in the cloud.
Another common theme in reviews is skepticism about pricing. Right now, the app is free with no ads or subscriptions, but users are wary of a possible “subscription sting” down the road.
This concern is not surprising given how many iOS utilities eventually add premium tiers or paywalls. However, the developers promise that it will always be free for all early adopters.
Finally, it is worth noting that Clever Cleaner will not boost your iPhone’s performance. It is a storage management tool, not a system optimizer, so expectations should be set accordingly. So, saying it doesn’t do that isn’t fair either. It doesn’t promise to. It clears storage space. That’s it, at least for now.
Closing Thoughts
Clever Cleaner is one of the most capable iPhone cleanup apps available right now. Its ability to clear duplicates, screenshots, and large files makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to free up storage space with minimal effort. The fact that all of these features are currently free for early adopters only adds to its appeal.
At the same time, it is worth keeping a few limitations in mind. Detection is not perfect, especially with unique images, and the app cannot improve performance beyond helping you reclaim storage. Some users remain cautious about granting photo library access, and there is understandable skepticism about whether the app will remain free in the long term.
Even with these caveats, Clever Cleaner delivers more than most of its competitors at no cost. For anyone looking for an easy and effective way to manage iPhone storage, it is well worth downloading now while everything is still available for free.
Please Support My Work
I can’t do this work without your support. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber.