Clarity photo cleaner: frequently asked questions

Short version: Clarity never deletes anything automatically, nothing is uploaded, there's no account, and any deletion is recoverable from iOS Recently Deleted for 30 days. Straight answers below.

Will Clarity delete my photos automatically?

No. Clarity never deletes anything automatically. Every deletion is confirmed by you and routed through a single safety-guarded path in the app, so manual approval is built into how it works, not an option you might leave off. You review every cluster and approve before anything is removed.

Can I undo a deletion if I make a mistake?

Yes. Deleted items go to iOS Recently Deleted, where they stay for 30 days before being permanently removed, so an accidental deletion is recoverable (Apple Support). That's your safety net on every cleanup.

Are my photos uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything runs on your device. No photos, videos, thumbnails, file names, or media metadata are uploaded, shared, or persisted off-device. There's no account and no cloud upload, Clarity works entirely offline on your library. The App Store privacy label is Data Not Collected, with no analytics, ad, or tracking SDK shipping by default. More on the privacy page.

What exactly does Clarity clean?

Only your authorized Photos library. It finds and helps you clear: exact and near-duplicate photos, similar burst shots, blurry/low-quality photos, screenshot clutter, and large videos you can compress. It does not clean system files, app caches, "other" storage, contacts, or calendar, and it does not scan for viruses or affect battery or speed. (To be clear about version scope: features like an encrypted vault, contacts cleanup, and calendar cleanup are not part of this version; Clinity cleans your Photos library only.)

Are my favorites and important photos protected?

Yes. Favorites and hidden photos are protected automatically and excluded from auto-selection. On top of that, low-confidence duplicate clusters are never auto-selected, and screenshots taken in the last 7 days aren't auto-selected either, because a recent screenshot is often something you still need.

How does Clarity decide which photo to keep?

For each duplicate cluster, it makes a keep-best recommendation with a one-sentence reason in plain English, like "sharper" or "higher resolution", instead of an opaque AI pick. You can always override it.

Is the free version actually usable?

Yes. The free version scans your entire library, uncapped, and lets you do one real cleanup of up to 50 items or about 300 MB. It's a genuine result, not a locked scan. For a full library, Clarity Pro removes the cleanup limit and unlocks large-video compression. The free cleanup is a one-time lifetime taste.

How much does Clarity Pro cost?

Clarity Pro is an auto-renewing subscription, and a free trial is offered in some regions. The exact price is shown by Apple at purchase and varies by region. Subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel anytime in Apple ID settings. Apple processes all purchases, renewals, and billing; refunds are handled by Apple via reportaproblem.apple.com.

Does it work on iCloud photos?

For iCloud-only assets, Clarity analyzes from metadata and low-resolution thumbnails. Full verification requires a user-initiated download, and Clarity never auto-downloads over cellular to do it.

Will it free up my System Data or "Other" storage?

No. Clarity only reclaims space from your Photos library. If your storage is dominated by System Data or app caches, see how to free up iPhone storage for what actually helps with those.

Get Clarity

Clarity is coming to the App Store. If safety and privacy are why you've avoided cleaner apps, it was built for exactly that. Read the maker's full privacy and safety page.