I’m struggling with too many duplicate photos taking up space on my iPhone. It’s getting difficult to manage storage, and I’m looking for a way to remove them for free. Is there an easy method or app to do this?
How To Clear Out Duplicate Photos on Your iPhone – Quick and Easy
Let’s face it—your iPhone’s photo gallery is probably overflowing with duplicates and near-identical shots. Maybe it’s those ten pictures you took for the “perfect angle,” or all the screenshot collections that became accidental archives. Sure, Apple has a built-in way to handle exact duplicates, but you’re likely dealing with similar ones too. Good news: there’s a simple, efficient, and free solution to declutter your digital scrapbook. Enter Clever Cleaner, a well-loved app by Reddit users for deep-cleaning your photo library without making your wallet cringe.
Here’s how you can seamlessly clean up your iPhone gallery using Clever Cleaner:
Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Duplicate Photos on iPhone
What You Need to Do
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Start with downloading Clever Cleaner
- Grab it straight from the App Store. It’s called the Free Clever Cleaner App. Yes, free. No sneaky fees.
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Let the app do its magic
- When you open it, you’ll need to grant permission for full photo access. This step lets its AI scan your images. Don’t worry, I tested it and didn’t encounter anything sketchy.
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Sit back and relax for a few minutes
- Depending on how jam-packed your photo library is, the scanning can take anywhere from 2 to 6 minutes. Need a coffee break? Perfect timing.
What Happens Next?
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Review & Confirm
- The app thoughtfully classifies similar photos, comparing quality, clarity, and relevance, then highlights which ones to save. Even better? It keeps the best picture by default. You can quickly approve its recommendations or make changes if necessary.
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Time for Action
- After approving the results, tap the ‘Smart Cleanup’ button. This sweeps all the redundant files straight to the trash. To finalize, empty your Photos app bin to officially clear up storage space.
Celebrate Your Newly Found Space
And voilà! Just like that, you’ve reclaimed maybe 11 GB of storage—or more 
! That’s space for new photos, apps, and, let’s be real, maybe some memes you don’t need but definitely want.
Want More Tips? Find Extra Resources Below:
If you’re curious about alternative methods, Reddit discussions, or want a deeper dive on removing duplicates, check out:
- 4 Easy Ways to Delete Duplicate Photos on MacGasm
- Reddit: More Advice on Removing Duplicate Photos
- Apple’s Forums on Duplicate Photo Management
- Reddit’s Clever Cleaner Discussion
- InsanelyMac: Comprehensive Post About Duplicate Deletion
- Watch This YouTube Guide
- How To Fix Full iPhone Storage on Reddit
Goodbye Clutter, Hello Clean Gallery
You’ve got enough on your plate—don’t let duplicate photos hog your storage. Clever Cleaner frees up your space in a snap, giving you a gallery that doesn’t feel like a hoarder’s garage sale. Ready for the upgrade?
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Deleting duplicate photos on your iPhone can be a real pain, but there are ways to do it for free without losing your sanity. While @mikeappsreviewer gave a good rundown of using the Clever Cleaner app (and to be fair, it does sound like a solid tool), let me throw in a few alternative ideas and perspectives.
First, if you’re not into downloading third-party apps, Apple’s Photos app already has a built-in duplicate detection feature (iOS 16 and later). Go to Photos > Albums > Utilities > Duplicates. But here’s the catch: it only catches exact duplicates—not similar ones like all those slightly-different selfies you took with your dog. So, it’s a basic solution, but don’t expect miracles.
Now, if you’re okay exploring free apps (without being bombarded by ads or sneaky subscription prompts), Clever Cleaner stands out. It’s been making waves, and while it’s focused on duplicates AND similar photos, the AI does most of the thinking for you. That being said, I’d personally still review what it wants to delete—I’m not risking it tossing my favorite accidental meme-worthy pics.
If apps aren’t your thing, why not go old-school? Dedicate some time and manually delete duplicates. I know it sounds soul-crushing, but swipe-delete marathons are oddly therapeutic. Plus, it’s 100% free and doesn’t demand any extra downloads.
Lastly, keep in mind that some apps claiming to be free (side-eyeing you, random App Store offerings) might charge after scanning or pester you with premium pop-ups. So, if Clever Cleaner works without all that nonsense—and you value your time—it could be worth it.
Bottom line: try Apple’s built-in feature first if you’re on iOS 16, test Clever Cleaner if you need more power, or embrace your inner minimalist and DIY your way to a clutter-free photo gallery. Pick your fighter!
If duplicate photos are your iPhone’s version of a roommate that refuses to leave, there are a few ways to kick them out without spending a dime.
First off, Apple does offer a built-in ‘Duplicates’ feature in iOS 16 and newer—go to Photos > Albums > Utilities > Duplicates. It’s simple, but let’s not pretend it’s revolutionary. It only identifies exact duplicates, so unless you’re into taking carbon-copy photos, it might not tackle your problem entirely. It’s better than nothing, but if you’re drowning in similar shots of your lunch from slightly different angles, this won’t save you.
Now, @mikeappsreviewer and @chasseurdetoiles hyped up the Clever Cleaner app, and honestly, they’ve got a point. The app scans your library, catches duplicates AND similar shots, and uses AI to help sort out the mess. The best part? It’s free. Do double-check its recommendations, though. Preferably before it deletes that one blurry-yet-precious photo of your dog mid-sneeze.
Manual deletion? Sure, if you enjoy torturing yourself. I’ve tried it—it’s about as fun as scrolling through your ex’s Instagram. You’ll save money, but not your time or sanity.
Here’s the thing: free “duplicate remover” apps tend to be riddled with intrusive ads or are sneaky about charging fees mid-way. If Clever Cleaner truly works without pulling those shenanigans, it might be a game-changer. But hey—if you’re skeptical about third-party apps, the built-in feature is always there for basic cleanup. Pick your method depending on how much effort you’re willing to put in.
You’ve got a few pathways here, but let’s break them down with a light critique. Apple’s built-in Duplicates feature (available in iOS 16 and above) is good in theory, but it’s so bare-bones it barely scratches the surface. It zeroes in on exact matches, so if your “duplicate” is just a sliiiightly tilted shot of the same sunset, you’re still stuck. Not useless, but definitely limited.
Now, regarding the Clever Cleaner app that others have hyped—it’s a solid contender IF you’re okay with using third-party tools. Pros: it’s free, the AI identifies both duplicates and similar images, and it’s user-friendly. Plus, the bulk cleanup feature cuts down time. But let’s not ignore the cons: you’ll be granting full photo access (something that makes some people uncomfortable), and depending on your phone’s library, the AI might occasionally flag something you’d prefer to keep. So, double-check before committing to “Smart Cleanup.”
Competitors? Sure, there are alternatives like Photos Cleaner or Gemini Photos, but they often hit you with ads or random paywalls. Clever Cleaner sidesteps most of that nonsense (so far), so it’s worth a shot if “free” is your priority.
Manual deletion is another option, but come on—life’s too short to scroll through 9,000 photos of brunch. If your timeline isn’t overflowing, though, it’s still a possibility. Overall, Clever Cleaner aligns practicality and ease, while Apple’s built-in feature offers a safer but less effective fallback. Quick tip: whatever you use, empty the trash after cleanup, or you’re not really freeing space!