The free app that cleans up your iPhone storage in minutes
I really have a treat for you. One of the most common questions I get is how to free up storage on an iPhone. Now I’ve got an excellent answer.
It’s an app called Clever Cleaner—completely free, no ads, no in-app purchases. I had to double check because it seemed too good to be true. But it’s legit.
It also comes from a trusted source: a company called Clever Files, the same folks behind Disk Drill, a recovery tool I’ve used before.
Once installed, Clever Cleaner scans your photo library (processing happens locally on your device) and sorts things into categories like Similars, Heavies (your biggest files), Screenshots, and Live Photos. This makes it simple to delete duplicates, large files, or batches of screenshots in just a few taps.
Each tool shows how much space you can reclaim, and you can let the app handle cleanup automatically or go through manually. There’s even a fun Tinder-style Swipe feature that shows you photos one by one—swipe left to delete, right to keep.
If you want to clear space fast, head straight into Heavies. Sort by size, then delete a few of the biggest files hogging your storage. Keep in mind: any deletions also free up iCloud space, which can save you money if you’re paying for storage.
(Quick note: if you back up with Google Photos or another third-party service, changes you make in the Photos app don’t usually sync back, so you’ll need to clean those up separately.)
This one’s a game changer. It’s rare to find something this useful, thoughtfully designed—and completely free. [download]
Android users: there’s a free Google app called Files by Google that makes it simple to reclaim storage on your phone.
Just download it (or search — it may already be pre-installed), then tap the three bars in the search bar at the top and choose Clean. You’ll see options to:
Delete large files
Delete unused apps
Delete downloaded files
And more
If you use Google Photos as your backup, there’s an easy way to clear space on your phone while keeping your pictures in the cloud. Just press and hold the Google Photos app icon, then select Free up space.