8 Best Apps to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone
Had enough of duplicate photos on your iPhone? Maybe you already tried cleaning them up in the Duplicates folder inside the Photos app, but it didn’t catch all the similar images. Look no further—I’ve compiled a list of the best apps that can remove duplicate photos. You’ve got 8 great options here—just pick one, and you’re good to go.
What Causes Duplicate Photos on iPhone
Duplicate photos can clutter your iPhone’s storage, causing confusion and reducing space. These duplicates often arise from various simple actions and settings:
- Photo Modes: Capturing photos in Burst mode or HDR mode can lead to multiple similar images being saved.
- Photo Editing and Sharing: Editing photos can create copies, with both original and edited versions saved. Sharing photos across different apps might also result in duplicates.
- iCloud Sync: When iCloud Photo Library is enabled, syncing issues can result in duplicate photos across devices.
- Imports and Downloads: Re-importing or downloading the same image can create duplicates.
All these duplicates take up a considerable amount of space and do nothing but clutter your storage. While Apple does offer some built-in tools to handle this—such as the Duplicates album in the Photos app—its functionality is quite limited, as we mentioned in the introduction. It only detects identical images, so similar photos or slightly edited versions won’t appear. Plus, it doesn’t update instantly—it can take a while for duplicates to show up. That’s why having a dedicated app to delete duplicate photos on your iPhone is a must.
Top Apps for Deleting Duplicate Photos on iPhone
After thorough research and personal trials, I’ve created a list of apps that excel in identifying and removing duplicate photos. These apps are user-friendly and offer a variety of features tailored to streamline photo management on your iPhone, some even are completely free. Let’s take a look!
1. Clever Cleaner
Overview: Clever Cleaner: Free Duplicate Cleaner App can help you remove duplicates, clear screenshots, compress Live Photos, and delete the largest files. It detects both exact and similar photos, converts Live Photos into still images without losing quality, and pinpoints oversized files. Developed by CleverFiles, it delivers a fully free and quick way to clean up iPhone storage. Here is more information on the app in comparison to iOS’s native Duplicates feature:
Key Features:
- Smart Duplicate Finder: Spots exact copies and near-duplicates using AI, way more than the Photos app (since it can’t spot non-duplicate similar images).
- Live Photo Shrinker: Turns Live Photos into stills without losing quality.
- Screenshot Cleanup: Instantly finds and deletes useless screenshots.
- Large File Detector: Sorts photos and videos by size so you can ditch the biggest storage hogs first.
- One-Tap Cleanup: Groups duplicates, similar shots, and large files for easy mass deletion.
- Trash & Restore: Everything goes to the trash first, so you can bring files back if needed.
- 100% free, no paywalls, no locked features.
- Quick and accurate.
- Uses AI to detect near-duplicates, not just exact copies.
- Displays how much space is wasted and how much you can free up.
- Customizable settings.
- No ads.
- No auto-delete scheduling.
Price: The app is completely free and will stay free for all early adopters, according to its official Clever Cleaner: Duplicate Cleaner webpage.
Final Verdict: I decided to put Clever Cleaner in the first spot because I was impressed with how much the app actually delivers for absolutely free. It detected both exact duplicates and similar photos, with the option to choose what to keep individually or use the Smart Cleanup button to let the app handle everything automatically. With one swipe, I could delete all selected photos at once. Plus, for every action, the app shows exactly how much storage will be freed, which made the process even more satisfying. Not only that, I didn’t see any ads, in-app purchases, or locked features—nothing like that at all. Truly impressive for an app with AI-powered detection.
Even though it’s a new app on the market, I didn’t notice any glitches or crashes, which is rare for fresh software. Add to that its simple, clear cleanup process, and it’s easily the best free option for managing your iPhone’s storage. If you want a fast, ad-free, useful duplicate remover app, this is the one to get.
2. Remo Duplicate Photos Remover
Overview: Remo Duplicate Photos Remover assists iPhone users in decluttering their photo albums by identifying and eliminating duplicate or similar images. This App Store app simplifies the process of regaining storage space and organizing photo collections with its straightforward design and functionality.
Key Features:
- Simple Interface: Designed for ease, accessible to all users.
- Selective Scanning: Users can specify criteria for more targeted searches.
- Dual Deletion Modes: Offers both automatic and user-guided options for deleting duplicates.
- Advanced Image Recognition: Identifies duplicates as well as similar variations of photos.
- Broad File Support: Compatible with multiple image formats.
- Supports multiple device types, increasing its utility.
- Accurate identification of duplicates and similar images.
- Variety of supported image formats for versatile photo management.
- Option to refine scan settings enhances user control.
- Basic interface.
- Potential for extended scanning durations in some cases.
Price: The app is available for free.
Final Verdict: I was pleasantly surprised by Remo Duplicate Photos Remover. Its no-cost offering doesn’t skimp on functionality, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking to tackle duplicate photos without financial outlay. The interface is straightforward, eliminating any potential hassle in navigating through the app. What really sets Remo apart is its adeptness at identifying duplicates, even among similar photos, which helped me reclaim significant storage space. The scanning process may take a bit longer, but considering the storage space it frees up, I found it to be a minor inconvenience. For those looking for an efficient and cost-effective solution, Remo stands out as a top contender.
3. Cleaner – Free Up Storage
Overview: Cleaner – Free Up Storage is an iPhone app tailored for users seeking to optimize their device storage by managing duplicate and similar photos, screenshots, and large video files. Its primary function is to enhance the device’s performance by decluttering storage space, offering a straightforward and user-friendly interface to facilitate easy navigation and use.
Key Features:
- Duplicate and Similar Photo Detection: Identifies and groups identical or similar photos for easy management.
- Screenshot and Large Video File Management: Helps in organizing and deleting unnecessary screenshots and large videos that occupy significant storage space.
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, allowing users to navigate and perform cleaning tasks without complications.
- The layout is straightforward and intuitive.
- Also targets large videos, screenshots, and other files taking up space.
- The scanning process is generally fast.
- Some users report that the app occasionally crashes.
- While free to download, many of the features require in-app purchases.
Price: The app is available for free, with various in-app purchases ranging from $2.99 for cleanup options to $49.99 for a yearly storage cleaner subscription.
Final Verdict: Using Cleaner – Free Up Storage felt like a double-edged sword. Its ability to clear out not just duplicate photos but also unnecessary screenshots and large videos was impressive, helping me significantly free up storage. The interface was straightforward, which I appreciated. However, the app’s occasional missteps, like mistakenly flagging important contacts as expendable, left me cautious. The built-in backup feature was a lifesaver, though, providing peace of mind. It’s a useful app, but one where I learned to proceed with caution and double-check its suggestions.
4. CleanMy®Phone: Storage Cleaner
Overview: CleanMy®Phone: Storage Cleaner is an iOS app developed by MacPaw that assists iPhone users in managing their photo libraries by identifying duplicates, similar photos, and unnecessary clutter like screenshots or blurry images. It uses smart technology to suggest the best photos to keep, making it easier to declutter your camera roll and free up storage space on your device.
Key Features:
- Smart Selection: The app suggests the best photos to keep from sets of similar images.
- Clutter Removal: Identifies and helps remove screenshots, blurry photos, and other unneeded images.
- Easy Sorting: Offers a simple interface to review and delete unwanted photos quickly.
- Privacy-Focused: Processes photos directly on the device without uploading them to the cloud.
- Efficiently declutters photo libraries by removing duplicates and unnecessary photos.
- Simplifies the process of choosing the best photos from multiple similar shots.
- Gives users full control over photo deletion.
- The app’s “Best result” functionality may sometimes group unrelated photos together or miss distinguishing between distinct but similar photos.
- Some users feel the subscription model could be improved, preferring a one-time purchase option.
Price: CleanMy®Phone: Storage Cleaner is free to download with in-app purchases. Subscription options include monthly access for $7.99 and yearly access for $39.99, with other options available as well.
Final Verdict: CleanMy®Phone: Storage Cleaner became a go-to for me with its intuitive handling of duplicates and clutter. The app’s knack for suggesting which photos to keep made decluttering less of a chore and more of a discovery process. I was particularly fond of its on-device processing, aligning with my privacy preferences. The subscription model and occasional misgrouping of photos were minor drawbacks, but didn’t overshadow the overall positive experience. CleanMy®Phone: Storage Cleaner struck a good balance between automation and personal choice, making it a solid choice for streamlining photo collections.
5. Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner
Overview: Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner is an iPhone app designed to help iPhone users declutter their device’s storage by identifying and removing duplicate photos, videos, and contacts. The app also features a mailbox cleaner and provides custom widgets and charging animations for a personalized experience. It has been highlighted for its user-friendly design and the ability to categorize photos for easier management, making the process of deleting photos more efficient.
Key Features:
- Duplicate Detection: Finds and allows for the removal of duplicate photos, videos, and contacts.
- Mailbox Cleaning: Helps clean up the mailbox for a more organized email app.
- Custom Widgets and Charging Animations: Offers additional customization options for the iPhone.
- Simplifies the process of deleting unnecessary files and duplicates.
- User-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
- Provides additional fun features like custom widgets and charging animations.
- Some users reported issues with the app’s performance, noting that it sometimes does not delete selected photos or crashes.
- The subscription cost has been a point of contention for some users, who find it high compared to the features offered.
Price: Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner offers a free 3-day trial, after which users can opt for a weekly subscription at $3.99. There is also an annual subscription option available for $29.99.
Final Verdict: Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner was an interesting experience. Its sleek design and novel features like custom widgets added a fun twist to the usual cleanup routine. The app did a decent job at decluttering, though I stumbled upon some hiccups where it failed to delete selected photos or unexpectedly crashed. The subscription price raised an eyebrow, considering the occasional glitches. However, for those who value aesthetics and are willing to overlook some imperfections, Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner offers a visually appealing way to tackle photo organization.
6. Clean Your Photos for iPhone
Overview: “Clean Your Photos for iPhone,” another great solution for iPhone users seeking to declutter their photo libraries. The app identifies and removes duplicate or unnecessary photos, videos, and contacts, simplifying storage management. It also features capabilities to compress media files without quality loss and monitor the device’s battery health, enhancing overall iPhone maintenance.
Key Features:
- Duplicate Detection: Identifies and removes duplicate photos, videos, and contacts.
- Media Compression: Compresses photos and videos to save space without compromising quality.
- Battery Health Monitoring: Shows details about the iPhone’s battery condition.
- Easy to navigate user interface for simplified photo management.
- Quickly frees up storage by removing duplicates and unnecessary files.
- Some users find price too high compared to the features offered.
Price: The app is free to download, offers a premium weekly subscription for $4.99 and a lifetime access option around $39.99.
Final Verdict: Clean Your Photos for iPhone offered a straightforward, no-frills approach to photo management that I found refreshing. Its ease of use made sifting through duplicates and unnecessary photos almost effortless. The added functionality of compressing media files without losing quality was a bonus that caught my attention. The fact that it’s geared only towards iOS users is a limitation, but within that scope, it serves its purpose well. Clean Your Photos for iPhone is a solid option for iPhone users looking for a simple yet effective tool to keep their photo libraries in check.
7. Ducl Duplicate Photos Cleaner
Overview: Ducl Duplicate Photos Cleaner stands out with its intuitive design, making it a go-to for iPhone users overwhelmed by duplicate photos. This App Store app uses a sophisticated algorithm to swiftly identify duplicates, freeing up valuable space without the hassle.
Key Features:
- Smart Selection: Automatically marks duplicates for deletion, sparing your best shots.
- Easy Navigation: User-friendly interface for easy photo management.
- Cloud Compatibility: Works with iCloud photos, helping your online albums stay organized.
- Quick and accurate duplicate detection.
- Simplified photo management, saving users time.
- Easily handles large photo libraries.
- The free version has limited features, prompting in-app purchases for full functionality.
- May require multiple scans for vast photo collections.
Price: Free version available; Ducl Pro costs $1.99 for full features.
Final Verdict: After trying out Ducl Duplicate Photos Cleaner, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my photo albums. It’s a great app to make your photo collection more manageable. The $1.99 for the premium features is a fair trade-off for the convenience and space it frees up. If your photo library is anything like mine, try giving Ducl Duplicate Photos Cleaner a go.
8. Photo Swipe Wipe: Cleaner Guru
Overview: Photo Swipe Wipe: Cleaner Guru is a different kind of app you can find on the App Store compared to the others on my list. Instead of relying on batch selection and AI-driven detection, it uses a swipe-based interface that lets you manually go through your photos and quickly decide which ones to keep or delete. This approach makes it fast and intuitive, especially for users who prefer a more hands-on way to clean up their photo library.
Key Features:
- Customizable Deletion Settings: Tailor the deletion process to your preferences, so it’s guaranteed that only unwanted photos are removed.
- Intuitive Interface: Navigate your photo library with ease, thanks to a user-friendly design.
- Helps at identifying and removing duplicates.
- Customizable settings improve user control.
- Streamlines photo library management.
- The app limits photo deletion in its free version.
- Users may experience distracting advertisements while using the app.
Price: Free with basic functionality; Premium version available for $4.99 with all advanced features.
Final Verdict: Gave “Photo Swipe Wipe: Cleaner Guru” a shot and it’s pretty solid. It’s easy to use and does a good job cleaning up the photo mess on my iPhone. The app’s free to start, but there’s a Premium version available that unlocks all the features. Worth it if you’re tired of swiping through tons of duplicates. Each app has its own approach to duplicate removal, whether through smart selection features, customizable filters, or additional tools for maintaining your photo library post-cleanup.
My Verdict
I would say that the positions in this rating reflect my overall impression of each app. Clever Cleaner takes the top spot because it delivered great results, was comfortable to use, scanned quickly, and is absolutely free with no strings attached. I also took to heart the developer’s promise that anyone who downloads it now and keeps it on their phone will have free access forever, which makes it an even better deal.
The second-best is Remo Duplicate Photos Remover. It did not come close to Clever Cleaner in terms of finding similar photos—but it’s free and does a solid job at finding duplicates. However, its interface felt less polished, and its scanning speed suggested that its detection algorithms could use some improvement.
In third place, I put Cleaner – Free Up Storage. It’s a great duplicate remover for any iPhone, but many of its features require in-app purchases. Additionally, some users in the App Store have reported crashes—though I didn’t experience any issues myself. I could have ranked it higher if more features were available for free and if there were fewer reports of stability problems.
That’s my top three, but all eight are worthy apps—just some more worthy than others.
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