{"id":3942,"date":"2023-12-21T09:15:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T09:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/?p=3942"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:20:26","slug":"clean-junk-files-on-iphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean Junk Files on iPhone"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#what_exactly_qualifies_as_junk_files_on_iphone\" title=\"What Exactly Qualifies as Junk Files on iPhone?\">What Exactly Qualifies as Junk Files on iPhone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#top_10_methods_to_clean_junk_files_on_iphone\" title=\"Top 10 Methods to Clean Junk Files on iPhone\">Top 10 Methods to Clean Junk Files on iPhone<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_1_force_restart_your_iphone\" title=\"Method 1 Force Restart Your iPhone\">Method 1 Force Restart Your iPhone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_2_use_third-party_iphone_cleanup_apps\" title=\"Method 2 Use Third-Party iPhone Cleanup Apps\">Method 2 Use Third-Party iPhone Cleanup Apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_3_uninstall_rarely_used_apps\" title=\"Method 3 Uninstall Rarely Used Apps\">Method 3 Uninstall Rarely Used Apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_4_clear_app_cache\" title=\"Method 4 Clear App Cache\">Method 4 Clear App Cache<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_5_remove_offline_content_from_apps\" title=\"Method 5 Remove Offline Content from Apps\">Method 5 Remove Offline Content from Apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_6_clear_safari_cache\" title=\"Method 6 Clear Safari Cache\">Method 6 Clear Safari Cache<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_7_review_imessage_attachments\" title=\"Method 7 Review iMessage Attachments\">Method 7 Review iMessage Attachments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_8_delete_downloaded_files\" title=\"Method 8 Delete Downloaded Files\">Method 8 Delete Downloaded Files<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_9_remove_unused_voice_memos\" title=\"Method 9 Remove Unused Voice Memos\">Method 9 Remove Unused Voice Memos<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#method_10_back_up_your_iphone_and_perform_a_factory_reset\" title=\"Method 10 Back Up Your iPhone and Perform a Factory Reset\">Method 10 Back Up Your iPhone and Perform a Factory Reset<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#how_to_keep_junk_files_from_eating_up_your_iphones_local_storage\" title=\"How to Keep Junk Files from Eating Up Your iPhone&#8217;s Local Storage\">How to Keep Junk Files from Eating Up Your iPhone&#8217;s Local Storage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#to_sum_up\" title=\"To Sum Up\">To Sum Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#faq\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#where_is_the_junk_file_on_my_iphone\" title=\"Where is the junk file on my iPhone?\">Where is the junk file on my iPhone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#will_cleaning_junk_files_help_speed_up_my_iphone_or_only_free_up_space\" title=\"Will cleaning junk files help speed up my iPhone, or only free up space?\">Will cleaning junk files help speed up my iPhone, or only free up space?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#how_often_should_i_delete_junk_files_on_my_iphone\" title=\"How often should I delete junk files on my iPhone?\">How often should I delete junk files on my iPhone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#will_cleaning_junk_files_delete_my_important_data\" title=\"Will cleaning junk files delete my important data?\">Will cleaning junk files delete my important data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/#are_third-party_cleaning_apps_safe_to_use_on_my_iphone\" title=\"Are third-party cleaning apps safe to use on my iPhone?\">Are third-party cleaning apps safe to use on my iPhone?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Want to delete junk files on your iPhone before they start causing problems? Or maybe your apps already take longer to open, and storage warnings keep popping up? Either way, the issue often comes down to accumulated junk files.<\/p>\n<p>Below, we\u2019ll show you 10 reliable, battle-tested methods to clean junk files from your iPhone and most in under 10 minutes. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_exactly_qualifies_as_junk_files_on_iphone\"><\/span>What Exactly Qualifies as Junk Files on iPhone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What is <em>junk<\/em>? Simply put, it\u2019s clutter (stuff you don\u2019t need but that sticks around anyway). Junk files are unnecessary data that pile up over time, wasting space and slowing down your iPhone.<\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s what we would put into the junk category:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>App caches and data<\/b> \u2013 temporary files apps create but never clean up.<\/li>\n<li><b>Old messages and attachments<\/b> \u2013 forgotten texts, photos, and videos hogging storage<\/li>\n<li><b>Unused apps<\/b> \u2013 apps you don\u2019t use but still take up space.<\/li>\n<li><b>Browser cache<\/b> \u2013 website data from Safari and other browsers that becomes outdated.<\/li>\n<li><b>Downloaded files<\/b> \u2013 PDFs, videos, music, and documents you no longer need.<\/li>\n<li><b>Duplicate and near-duplicate photos<\/b> \u2013 multiple shots of the same scene or near-identical images cluttering your library.<\/li>\n<li><b>Screenshots and screen recordings<\/b> \u2013 quick captures that often get forgotten.<\/li>\n<li><b>Large, unused video files<\/b> \u2013 old clips taking up <em>gigabytes<\/em> of storage.<\/li>\n<li><b>Voice memos<\/b> \u2013 recordings you no longer need but still linger.<\/li>\n<li><b>System data<\/b> \u2013 hidden logs, update leftovers, temporary files, and other background data iOS keeps on your device.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--primary\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>\u2139\ufe0f As you can see, anything that wastes your space and is unnecessary or no longer needed can be considered junk. Unfortunately, your iPhone can\u2019t tell you exactly what counts as junk and only you know which photos\/videos\/apps\/other data you no longer need.\u00a0 Still, the largest storage category may contain the most junk, simply because there is more data to review.<\/div>\n<p>So, go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt; <b>General<\/b> &gt; <b>iPhone Storage<\/b> and check the detailed breakdown. It may give you a good place to start.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14588\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/check-iphone-storage.jpg\" alt=\"Check iPhone storage\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Junk problems on iPhones are super common. For example, just recently, we got this message through our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact form<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cHey, I was trying to take a picture yesterday, and right when I tapped the shutter button, my iPhone gave me a \u2018Storage Almost Full\u2019 message. I couldn\u2019t even take the photo. I have no idea whats clogging up my storage. I don\u2019t download that much stuff. Is there any easy way to clean up whatever junk is filling my phone?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If this sounds familiar and you want a solution, below you\u2019ll find the methods we suggested to our reader.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"top_10_methods_to_clean_junk_files_on_iphone\"><\/span>Top 10 Methods to Clean Junk Files on iPhone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s get to the main part \u2013 how to clean junk files on iPhone. If your main goal is to free up storage, one method may be enough. Start with the category that took up the most space when you checked iPhone Storage. But if you want better results, or if your goal is to remove as much unnecessary clutter as possible, work through the methods step by step. Every iPhone is different, so the junk that clutters them varies too.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_1_force_restart_your_iphone\"><\/span>Method 1: Force Restart Your iPhone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The first thing we recommend is a force restart. At first glance, it may seem too simple to make any difference, but it can clear temporary system data, stop stuck background processes, and help iOS get rid of files it no longer needs.<\/p>\n<p>Think of it as a mini version of a full iPhone reset. It won\u2019t clean up files on your iPhone (like photos, apps, messages, or other personal data), but it can help remove some temporary clutter before you move on to the more targeted cleanup methods below.<\/p>\n<p><b>To force restart most modern iPhones (iPhone 8, iPhone X, and newer):<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Quickly press and release the <b>Volume Up<\/b> button.<\/li>\n<li>Quickly press and release the <b>Volume Down<\/b> button.<\/li>\n<li>Press and hold the <b>Side<\/b> button.<\/li>\n<li>Keep holding it until the Apple logo appears, then release it.<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14596\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/forse-restart-iphone.jpg\" alt=\"Force restart iPhone\" width=\"322\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>If you use an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (1st generation), or an older model, the button combination is different. Check <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-lb\/guide\/iphone\/iph8903c3ee6\/12.0\/ios\/12.0\">Apple\u2019s official instructions<\/a> for the correct force restart procedure for your device.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_2_use_third-party_iphone_cleanup_apps\"><\/span>Method 2: Use Third-Party iPhone Cleanup Apps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Now move on to more targeted ways to remove junk from your iPhone and start with what\u2019s sitting inside the Photos app (copies of the same or similar photos, old screenshots, and outdated videos can all be considered junk because they are no longer relevant).<\/p>\n<p>If you prefer, you can delete all of this manually. However, we\u2019d like to offer an alternative in the form of iPhone cleaner apps. They scan your iPhone for unnecessary files and automate cleanup, turning what might take hours into minutes or even seconds.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"border-gray border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-14591 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/clever-cleaner-app-store.jpg\" alt=\"Clever Cleaner in the App Store\" width=\"2243\" height=\"1455\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--success\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>If you don\u2019t want to spend time researching, we\u2019ve put together a <a href=\"\/blog\/iphone-cleaner-apps\/\">list of some of the best iPhone cleaner apps<\/a> available. At the top of that list is <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/clever-cleaner-ai-cleanup-app\/id1666645584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Clever Cleaner: AI iPhone Cleaner App<\/b><\/a>\u2014and for <b>two good reasons<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It actually cleans up storage efficiently and finds media junk quickly.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s one of the iPhone cleaner apps that you can use for free.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>We\u2019ll show how to use Clever Cleaner to remove unnecessary images and cover its other features later in the article. Here\u2019s how to use it:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Search for \u201c<b>Clever Cleaner<\/b>\u201d in the App Store or <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/id1666645584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">use the official link to download it<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Open the app and navigate to the <b>Similars<\/b> tab.<\/li>\n<li>Tap <b>Smart Cleanup<\/b>, and the app will scan your photo library in seconds.<\/li>\n<li>Review the suggested deletions. If you want to keep a specific one, tap <b>Restore<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>If you agree with the selection, <b>Slide to delete<\/b>, then confirm.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14605\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/smart-cleanup-clever-cleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Smart Cleanup in Clever Cleaner\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>For a more hands-on approach, tap a group to manually select which photos to keep or remove.<\/li>\n<li>The app\u2019s AI automatically picks the <b>Best shot<\/b> in each group, but you can change this if needed.<\/li>\n<li>Once you&#8217;re satisfied, tap <b>Move to Trash<\/b> to delete the selected images or <b>Skip All<\/b>\u00a0to move to the next group.<\/li>\n<li>When finished, tap <b>Empty Trash<\/b>\u00a0and confirm the deletion.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14587\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/check-best-shot-clever-cleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Check Best Shot in Clever Cleaner\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note.<\/b> Deleted photos remain in the <b>Recently Deleted<\/b> folder in the Photos app for 30 days. If you want to free up space immediately, clear them manually.<\/div>\n<p><b>Beyond similar photos, Clever Cleaner has three other useful tabs:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Heavies tab<\/b> \u2013 Displays videos\/photos <a href=\"\/blog\/find-large-videos-on-iphone\/\">sorted by size<\/a>, which allows you to instantly identify and remove the biggest space-wasters. This is something iOS doesn\u2019t natively offer. If you\u2019re not ready to delete a large video, the <b>Compression<\/b> tab lets you <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-compress-a-video-on-iphone\/\">reduce its size<\/a> and reclaim storage while keeping the video itself.<\/li>\n<li><b>Swipe tab<\/b> \u2013 Groups photos by the month they were added to your library and lets you review them with simple swipe gestures. This is a convenient option for regular cleanup sessions or if you prefer to stay in control instead of relying on automated suggestions.<\/li>\n<li><b>Screenshots tab<\/b> \u2013 Mirrors the <b>Screenshots<\/b> album from the Photos app, making it easy to review and <a href=\"\/blog\/delete-screenshots-on-iphone\/\">delete screenshots<\/a> in bulk. Since everything happens inside the app, there\u2019s no need to switch between it and the native Photos app.<\/li>\n<li><b>Lives tab<\/b> \u2013 <a href=\"\/blog\/convert-live-photos-to-still\/\">Converts Live Photos to regular images<\/a> to save space. Live Photos take up a lot more storage than standard photos due to their short animation. If you don\u2019t need the motion effect, this feature helps free up significant storage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14586\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/all-tools-cleever-cleaner.jpg\" alt=\"All Clever Cleaner tools\" width=\"1328\" height=\"700\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As you can see, Clever Cleaner focuses on media cleanup, and that\u2019s true for most iPhone cleaner apps. While some offer extra features like contact cleanup or calendar cleanup, they can\u2019t clean everything \u2013 only the areas that Apple allows third-party apps to access. In other words, <b>no single app can remove all junk from your iPhone<\/b>. That\u2019s why the remaining methods in this guide focus on other types of clutter that require manual cleanup.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>You can find even more details about this app in our <a href=\"\/blog\/clever-cleaner-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Clever Cleaner review<\/b><\/a>. While researching this app, we also came across an interesting detail on the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/clever-cleaner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Clever Cleaner cleanup app\u2019s webpage<\/b><\/a>:<\/div>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cEarly users will never be asked to pay for upgrades or new features.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That means if you download it now, you should have <b>lifetime access<\/b> to all current and future features for free. It might come in handy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--primary\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note.<\/b> You can also use built-in features like the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-gb\/guide\/iphone\/iph1978d9c23\/ios\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Duplicates<\/a> tool in the Photos app to clean up your iPhone. However, unlike third-party iPhone cleaners, this feature is pretty basic, and it only detects exact duplicates, not similar-looking photos. So don\u2019t be surprised if you don\u2019t see all near-duplicate images here.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_3_uninstall_rarely_used_apps\"><\/span>Method 3: Uninstall Rarely Used Apps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Next to <b>Photos<\/b>, the <b>Apps<\/b> category is often one of the biggest storage hogs on an iPhone. Unused apps don\u2019t just <a href=\"\/blog\/clear-storage-iphone\/\">take up space<\/a> \u2013 they may also run background processes, slowing things down. Unlike with Photos, there are no third-party apps that can simplify cleanup for you. You\u2019ll need to do it manually.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--danger\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note.<\/b> Despite some iPhone cleaner apps advertising that they can clean up app data, they cannot actually do this. As we mentioned earlier, Apple sandboxes apps, which means third-party tools cannot access or delete data stored by other apps. Any cleaner app claiming to clear app caches or system junk is just marketing.<\/div>\n<p><b>To delete an unused app:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Touch and hold the app icon on your home screen.<\/li>\n<li>Tap on &#8216;<b>Remove App<\/b>&#8216; or &#8216;<b>Delete App<\/b>&#8216; from the options menu.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm deletion by selecting &#8216;<b>Delete App<\/b>&#8216; again in the prompt.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14592\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/delete-app-from-home-screen.jpg\" alt=\"Delete app from Home Screen\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This action removes the app and associated data, freeing up space. Be cautious to only delete apps you no longer need, as this action cannot be undone without re-downloading the app.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note<\/b>. If you might need an app later but don\u2019t want it taking up storage, offloading is a better option. This removes the app but keeps its data.<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li>In <b>Settings &gt; General &gt; iPhone Storage<\/b>, tap an app.<\/li>\n<li>Select <b>Offload the app<\/b> to remove it while keeping its settings and documents.<\/li>\n<li>Reinstall it anytime from the App Store, and your data will still be there.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14600\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/offload-app.jpg\" alt=\"Offload app in iPhone Storage\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_4_clear_app_cache\"><\/span>Method 4: Clear App Cache<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Even after you remove the apps you no longer need, you\u2019ll still have the ones you use every day. Social media apps, streaming services, games, and other apps related to your interests continue to <a href=\"\/blog\/clear-app-data-on-iphone\/\">accumulate data<\/a> over time. This data can include cache files, temporary files, saved settings, game progress, and other information that helps apps load faster and remember your preferences. While some of it is useful, it can also take up a surprising amount of storage, so this is another area worth keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n<p>For different apps, the steps to clear the cache will vary, but it\u2019s usually found in the app\u2019s settings under something like <b>Storage, Data Management,<\/b> or <b>Cache<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p><b>Here&#8217;s the general approach to clearing app cache:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Select an app to view its storage usage details.<\/li>\n<li>Look for an option to clear cache or data.<\/li>\n<li>If available, tap <b>Clear Cache<\/b>\u00a0or a similar option.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14589\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/clean-app-cache-in-app.jpg\" alt=\"Clear app cache in app\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Clearing cached data often removes temporary files without affecting your important information, but this depends on the app. For example, <a href=\"\/blog\/delete-game-data-on-iphone\/\">clearing game data<\/a> may reset your progress, achievements, and other saved information. Review the options carefully before deleting anything.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--danger\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note<\/b>. Not all apps allow you to do this. Most third-party apps don\u2019t provide a built-in option to remove cached data. The only reliable way to clear an app\u2019s cache is to delete and reinstall the app.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_5_remove_offline_content_from_apps\"><\/span>Method 5: Remove Offline Content from Apps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Continuing the topic of how to remove junk from iPhone apps, don\u2019t forget about offline content. This includes downloaded videos, music, podcasts, books, and other media stored for offline access in apps like YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Podcasts, Kindle, and similar services.<\/p>\n<p>Offline content is convenient because you can access it without an internet connection while traveling, commuting, or in areas with poor reception. However, it still takes up part of your iPhone\u2019s local storage. And just like any other category, some of this content eventually becomes junk. Videos you\u2019ve already watched, books you\u2019ve finished, podcast episodes you\u2019ve listened to, or music from artists you no longer follow all continue to occupy storage long after they\u2019ve served their purpose.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--primary\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>We\u2019ll use YouTube Music as an example, but the process is similar in most apps. The downloaded content is usually accessible through your account settings, Library section, Downloads section, or a similarly named menu.<\/div>\n<p><b>To free up storage by deleting downloaded media:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open YouTube Music and tap your profile picture.<\/li>\n<li>Open <b>Downloads<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Review the downloaded albums, playlists, songs, or podcasts stored on your device.<\/li>\n<li>Tap the <b>three-dot menu<\/b> next to the item you no longer need and select <b>Remove Download<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Repeat the process for any other offline content you no longer want to keep.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14601\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/remove-downloaded-content.jpg\" alt=\"Remove downloaded content\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_6_clear_safari_cache\"><\/span>Method 6: Clear Safari Cache<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although we\u2019ve already covered app caches, browser cache is another type of junk you can clean up on your iPhone. Safari stores browsing data, history, and website caches to speed up page loading. Over time, these files pile up, taking up storage and sometimes even slowing down Safari itself.<\/p>\n<p><b>To <a href=\"\/blog\/clear-cache-iphone\/\">clear the Safari cache:<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the <b>Settings<\/b>\u00a0app on your iPhone.<\/li>\n<li>Scroll down to the <b>Apps<\/b> tab, find and select <b>Safari<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Tap on <b>Clear History and Website Data<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm your action by tapping <b>Clear History<\/b> in the pop-up.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14590\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/clear-history-safari.jpg\" alt=\"Clear Safari history\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This action will not only free up space but also potentially improve browser performance. Remember, this will log you out of websites and remove your browsing history.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--danger\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note<\/b>. Safari is the only browser that allows you to clear cache and website data directly from <b>iPhone Settings<\/b> since it\u2019s a native Apple app. For other browsers like <b>Chrome<\/b> or <b>Firefox<\/b>, you\u2019ll need to clear the cache and browsing data from their in-app settings.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_7_review_imessage_attachments\"><\/span>Method 7: Review iMessage Attachments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Old messages, especially those with attachments, can occupy significant storage. You can enable &#8216;Message History&#8217; to automatically delete messages after a certain period. Additionally, manually review message threads and remove large attachments or unneeded conversations to keep your message storage clean.<\/p>\n<p><b>Here&#8217;s how to manage message storage on your iPhone:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <b>Settings<\/b>, open the <b>Apps<\/b> tab, and select <b>Messages<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Scroll to the <b>Message History<\/b>\u00a0section.<\/li>\n<li>Tap <b>Keep Messages<\/b>\u00a0and choose the desired duration (e.g., 30 days).<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14604\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/set-keep-messages-option.jpg\" alt=\"Set Keep Messages option\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>To delete individual messages, open a conversation, touch and hold a message, and choose <b>More<\/b>\u00a0to select messages for deletion.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14593\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/delete-atachments.jpg\" alt=\"Delete message attachments\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This is only one option for cleaning up junk from the Messages app. There are several other ways to do it, and some of them may be more convenient for your particular situation. For a broader look at the available options, check out our <a href=\"\/blog\/delete-large-attachments-iphone\/\">guide to deleting large attachments on iPhone<\/a>. But exercise caution while deleting files. Avoid removing necessary data and back up important information beforehand to avoid data loss<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_8_delete_downloaded_files\"><\/span>Method 8: Delete Downloaded Files<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Downloaded files can accumulate and take up valuable space. Review your Downloads folder and remove files you no longer need.<\/p>\n<p><b>Follow these steps to locate and delete them:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the <b>Files<\/b> app on your iPhone and go to the Downloads folder.<\/li>\n<li>Tap &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;in the top right corner, then <b>Select<\/b> and choose the files you want to delete.<\/li>\n<li>Tap the <b>trash icon<\/b> to delete the selected files.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14594\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/delete-file-in-files-app.jpg\" alt=\"Delete files in Files app\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--primary\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>This process helps reclaim storage space by removing files that are no longer needed. The Files app also includes a &#8216;Recently Deleted&#8217; folder, similar to a recycle bin. Files remain there until manually deleted or after a set period, impacting available storage.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_9_remove_unused_voice_memos\"><\/span>Method 9: Remove Unused Voice Memos<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your Voice Memos app is cluttered with unused recordings, you can tidy it up.<\/p>\n<p><b>Here&#8217;s how to delete unused voice memos:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the <b>Voice Memos<\/b> app on your iPhone.<\/li>\n<li>Browse through your recordings and identify the ones you no longer need.<\/li>\n<li>Swipe left on a memo to reveal the delete option, then tap <b>Delete<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm the deletion if prompted.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14595\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/delete-voice-memo.jpg\" alt=\"Delete Voice Memo recording\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--primary\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Note<\/b>. Deleted voice memos aren\u2019t gone immediately; they stay in the <b>Recently Deleted<\/b> folder for 30 days. To free up space instantly, open <b>Recently Deleted<\/b> and tap <b>Delete<\/b><b>\u00a0All<\/b>.<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"method_10_back_up_your_iphone_and_perform_a_factory_reset\"><\/span>Method 10: Back Up Your iPhone and Perform a Factory Reset<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The most drastic measure is to back up your iPhone, reset it to factory settings, and then restore from the backup. This can clear hidden junk files that regular cleanup methods won\u2019t touch.<\/p>\n<p>In our opinion, this method works best after you\u2019ve <b>already removed<\/b> as much junk as possible from categories like Photos, apps, offline content, messages, and downloads. This way, the backup contains mostly the files you actually want to keep, while the factory reset can clean areas of iOS that aren\u2019t accessible to users. Without at least some manual cleanup beforehand, the benefits of this method are much more limited, since much of the s<b>ame junk may simply return<\/b> when you restore the backup.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--danger\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div><b>Warning!<\/b> This method will <b>erase everything<\/b> on your iPhone, including apps, settings, and locally stored files. Be sure to back up your device before proceeding, or you may lose important data forever.<\/div>\n<p><b>Follow these steps to factory reset and restore your iPhone:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Create a full backup of your iPhone to make sure all data, settings, and media are saved. Use Finder\/iTunes, iCloud, or <a href=\"\/blog\/best-iphone-backup-software\/\">one of third third-party apps<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Once the backup is complete, go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt; &gt;<b>General<\/b> &gt; <b>Transfer or Reset iPhone<\/b> on your iPhone.<\/li>\n<li>Choose <b>Erase All Content and Settings<\/b> to wipe your device clean.<\/li>\n<li>After the reset, follow the prompts to restore your iPhone from the backup you created earlier.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14606\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/tranfer-and-reset-iphone.jpg\" alt=\"Transfer or Reset iPhone screen\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This process can eliminate hidden junk files and restore your iPhone to a healthier state.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_keep_junk_files_from_eating_up_your_iphones_local_storage\"><\/span>How to Keep Junk Files from Eating Up Your iPhone&#8217;s Local Storage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While there\u2019s no way to completely stop junk files from appearing on your iPhone, there is a way to prevent them from consuming as much local storage. The answer is iCloud.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, this doesn\u2019t mean you can forget about cleanup entirely. Junk is still junk, whether it sits on your iPhone or in iCloud. You\u2019ll still need to review and remove unnecessary photos, videos, downloads, and other files from time to time. The difference is that they won\u2019t put as much pressure on your iPhone\u2019s local storage, which is often the resource that runs out first and can even interfere with basic device functions when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/fix-not-enough-storage-on-iphone\/\">it gets too low<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frame_bg frame_bg--default\"><div class=\"frame_bg--title\"><\/div>You\u2019ll most likely need an <b>iCloud+<\/b> subscription for this approach. Apple only includes 5 GB of iCloud storage for free, which is enough for very light use but not enough for most people who want to store photos, videos, backups, and other personal data in the cloud.<\/div>\n<p><b>Here are the main iCloud features that can help move some of your data out of local storage and reduce the amount of space junk files occupy on your iPhone:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Optimize iPhone Storage for Photos. This is probably the most effective option for most users because photos and videos are often the largest storage category. &gt; Go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt; <b>Your Name<\/b> &gt; <b>iCloud<\/b> &gt; <b>Photos<\/b> and enable <b>Sync this iPhone<\/b>, then select <b>Optimize iPhone Storage<\/b>. Your full-resolution photos and videos will remain in iCloud, while your iPhone keeps smaller local versions that take up much less space.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14598\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/icloud-photos.jpg\" alt=\"iCloud Photos settings\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Store app data in iCloud. Many Apple apps can keep their data in iCloud instead of relying entirely on local storage. This includes Messages, Notes, Mail, Voice Memos, and others. &gt; Go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt;<b> Your Name<\/b> &gt; <b>iCloud<\/b> and review the <b>Apps Using iCloud<\/b> section. Enable syncing for the apps you use. Many third-party apps also support iCloud or their own cloud sync systems, usually accessible through the app\u2019s settings.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14603\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/saved-to-icloud-apps-data.jpg\" alt=\"Apps using iCloud settings\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Save files to <b>iCloud Drive<\/b> instead of On My iPhone. When you save documents, PDFs, archives, videos, and other files in the Files app, choose <b>iCloud Drive<\/b> whenever possible. This reduces the amount of local storage those files consume.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14602\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/save-file-to-icloud-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Save file to iCloud Drive\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Use Messages in iCloud. Photos, videos, GIFs, voice messages, and other attachments exchanged through Messages can consume a surprising amount of space. &gt; Go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt; <b>Your Name<\/b> &gt; <b>iCloud<\/b> &gt; <b>Messages<\/b> and enable Use on this iPhone to keep your message history synchronized through iCloud.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14599\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/messages-icloud.jpg\" alt=\"Messages in iCloud settings\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Move device backups to iCloud. Local backups stored on a Mac or PC don\u2019t affect iPhone storage directly, but keeping your backup strategy centered around iCloud makes it easier to rely less on local copies of files and media. &gt; Go to <b>Settings<\/b> &gt; <b>Your Name<\/b> &gt; <b>iCloud<\/b> &gt; <b>iCloud Backup<\/b> and enable <b>Back Up This iPhone<\/b>.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14597\" src=\"\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/icloud-backup.jpg\" alt=\"iCloud Backup settings\" width=\"657\" height=\"700\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"to_sum_up\"><\/span>To Sum Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cleaning junk files isn\u2019t just about freeing up storage \u2013 it also keeps your iPhone running smoothly. While every device accumulates different types of clutter, some methods are musts, while others are only needed in specific cases.<\/p>\n<p>We always recommend starting with the fastest and easiest methods first, like using a third-party cleaner app, reviewing iMessage attachments, clearing app data and browser cache. These steps don\u2019t take much time and usually remove a significant amount of junk from most iPhones.<\/p>\n<p>However, not all cases are the same. In rare cases, even these solutions aren\u2019t enough. <b>Method 10<\/b> is a last resort, but as seen in this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/ios\/comments\/w98fry\/anybody_else_suddenly_running_out_of_storage_on\/\">Reddit discussion<\/a>, some users found that only a factory reset could clear out ballooned junk in &#8216;System Data&#8217;. If junk files keep returning and your storage seems to disappear without explanation, resetting your iPhone may be the only way to completely wipe out hidden system clutter.<\/p>\n<p>Bottom line \u2013 start with the quick fixes and see if that\u2019s enough. For most people, it will be, and you should spend no more than 10 minutes on cleanup. However, if that\u2019s not enough, keep working your way down the list until your iPhone feels fresh again.<\/p>\n<section itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><div class=\"panel-group sc_accordion_faq\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\"><h2 class=\"sc_accordion_faq--title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faq\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq0\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"where_is_the_junk_file_on_my_iphone\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq0\">\r\n                Where is the junk file on my iPhone?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq0\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq0\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                \n<p>There is no single junk file on an iPhone. In fact, junk can be almost anywhere because it simply refers to data you no longer need. For one person, junk might be duplicate photos, old screenshots, watched videos, and downloaded music. For another, it could be message attachments, browser cache, app data, offline content, or files sitting in the Downloads folder.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why the best place to start is Settings &gt; General &gt; iPhone Storage. While iOS can\u2019t tell you what is junk and what isn\u2019t, it can show you which categories use the most space, helping you decide where to look first.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq1\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"will_cleaning_junk_files_help_speed_up_my_iphone_or_only_free_up_space\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq1\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq1\">\r\n                Will cleaning junk files help speed up my iPhone, or only free up space?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq1\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq1\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Both. While cleaning junk files primarily frees up storage, it can also improve performance, especially if your iPhone was low on space. When storage is nearly full, iPhones can slow down due to background system processes struggling to manage data.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq2\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_often_should_i_delete_junk_files_on_my_iphone\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq2\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq2\">\r\n                How often should I delete junk files on my iPhone?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq2\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq2\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                It\u2019s advisable to clean junk files from your iPhone every month to maintain optimal performance. Regular cleaning prevents storage from getting overwhelmed by temporary files and app data. This routine upkeep is especially important if you frequently download apps or browse the internet, as these activities typically generate the most junk files.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq3\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"will_cleaning_junk_files_delete_my_important_data\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq3\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq3\">\r\n                Will cleaning junk files delete my important data?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq3\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq3\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Cleaning junk files focuses on removing non-critical items like app caches, temporary files, and rarely used apps, which generally don\u2019t include personal data. However, it\u2019s always prudent to back up important information before proceeding with any cleaning process. Carefully review what you\u2019re deleting to make sure no valuable photos, messages, or documents are lost in the process.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\r\n    <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq4\" aria-selected=\"true\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"are_third-party_cleaning_apps_safe_to_use_on_my_iphone\"><\/span>\r\n            <a role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapsefaq4\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapsefaq4\">\r\n                Are third-party cleaning apps safe to use on my iPhone?\r\n                <i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapsefaq4\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq4\">\r\n        <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n            <div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                Many third-party cleaning apps are safe and effective when sourced from reliable platforms like the App Store. Always check the app&#8217;s ratings, reviews, and developer credentials before downloading. Additionally, reading privacy policies can provide insight into how the app handles your data. It&#8217;s wise to be cautious, as some apps might pose security risks or offer less-than-accurate cleaning functions.\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to delete junk files on your iPhone before they start causing problems? Or maybe your apps already take longer to open, and storage warnings keep popping up? Either way, the issue often comes down to accumulated junk files. Below, we\u2019ll show you 10 reliable, battle-tested methods to clean junk files from your iPhone and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":1674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[114],"tags":[],"slider-tags":[],"class_list":["post-3942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ios"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Clean Your iPhone from Junk Files (2026)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Need to clean junk on your iPhone? Follow our step-by-step guide with 10 reliable methods to delete cache, duplicates, and clutter.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Clean Your iPhone from Junk Files (2026)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Need to clean junk on your iPhone? Follow our step-by-step guide with 10 reliable methods to delete cache, duplicates, and clutter.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/clean-junk-files-on-iphone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"InsanelyMac Blog - Mac and iOS Reviews\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.insanelymac.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/11-Best-iPhone-Data-Recovery-Software.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"300\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Yurii Kulynych\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Yurii Kulynych\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"18 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Clean Your iPhone from Junk Files (2026)","description":"Need to clean junk on your iPhone? 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