The pursuit of efficiency and speed in smartphone use is a constant in modern life. We frequently find ourselves needing to free up space on our devices to improve performance or simply to make room for new apps and files. This highlights the importance of apps dedicated to cleaning up mobile phone memory.
On the other hand, with the wide variety of options available, choosing the most suitable one can be a challenging task. These apps not only help free up space by removing unnecessary files, but also organize what is stored and show what actually occupies memory. In this article, we have gathered five options for cleaning up your phone's memory.
Before publishing, we checked the five listings on the Brazilian Google Play Store: who the developer is, the package name, the date of the last update, and whether the page displays the "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases" labels. We also checked which ones have a version on the Brazilian App Store. A word of warning: several popular cleaners from years ago are no longer in the store, and we explain later why it's not worth looking for them outside of it.
The 5 best apps to clean your phone's memory.
1. CCleaner – Cell Phone Cleaner
CCleaner – Cell Phone Cleaner (com.piriform.ccleaner, (from Piriform) became known in the computer era, and the mobile version follows the same idea: scanning application caches, temporary files, forgotten download folders, and remnants of uninstalled programs. A panel shows how much storage and RAM is in use, which helps to track the results of the cleanup.
It also lists installed apps by space occupied and time of inactivity, making it easier to decide which ones are worth uninstalling. What the store says: the listing shows two labels, “Contains ads” and “In-app purchases,” with items ranging from R$2.70 to R$199.99 — the free version displays advertising, and scheduled cleaning is part of the paid plan. The last update was in July 2026, and the user rating is 4.7. Besides Android, CCleaner is available on the Brazilian App Store (com.piriform.ios.ccleaner, published by Piriform Ltd), also recently updated.
2. SD Maid 2/SE
The SD Maid 2/SE — Clean. System (eu.darken.sdmse, (from developer darken) is the choice for those who want fine-grained control. Instead of a single button that promises to solve everything, it separates tasks: hunts for orphaned files left by already removed applications, points out duplicates, clears the cache of each program, and shows what occupies space folder by folder. It also works well for those who use SD cards and want to understand where the files ended up.
Nothing is deleted without review: everything appears in lists before confirmation, which reduces the risk of losing something you wanted to keep. What the store informs: the listing does not have an ad label and registers "In-app Purchases", from R$ 5.99 to R$ 11.99, to unlock advanced tools. Updated in June 2026 and rated 4.3. Available only for Android. Pay attention to the name when searching: the old SD Maid 1 (eu.thedarken.sdm) is still listed, but has been paused since December 2023 — the version receiving maintenance is version 2/SE.
3. AVG Cleaner
AVG Cleaner - Cleaning App (com.avg.cleaner, AVG Mobile's app combines memory cleaning with gallery organization. A quick scan removes residual files and cache, identifies duplicate, blurry, or very similar photos, and shows which apps consume the most space and battery, helping you decide which ones are worth keeping installed. It keeps a history of the space freed up with each cleanup.
What the store says: the listing states "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases," with items ranging from R$1.29 to R$214.99. Updated July 2026 and rated 4.8. Note for iPhone users: AVG maintains an equivalent app in the Brazilian App Store, but with a different name — AVG TuneUp – Cleaner (com.avg.ios.cleanerSearching for "AVG Cleaner" in the Apple store does not return the app with that exact name.
4. Avast Cleanup
Avast Cleanup – Cleaning App (com.avast.android.cleaner, (from Avast Software) is a direct alternative to the older options that left the Play Store. It scans cache and residual files, groups similar photos so you can choose which ones to keep, flags apps that haven't been used for months, and lets you hibernate apps that are active in the background.
The interface shows the size of each item before removing it, which prevents deleting in the dark. The store states: “Contains ads” and “In-app purchases”, from R$ 1.29 to R$ 269.99, updated in July 2026 and rated 4.8. It is also available on the Brazilian App Store as Avast Cleanup – Cleaner (com.avast.ios.cleaner), published by AVAST Software sro.
5. Google Files
Google Files (com.google.android.apps.nbu.files, (from Google LLC) is the most discreet on the list and, for most people, sufficient. It suggests cleanups based on what it finds on the device: temporary files, images and videos received in messaging apps, old downloads, duplicates, and programs you haven't opened in a while. Besides cleaning, it functions as a file manager, backs up to Google Drive, and transfers files between phones without using the internet.
What the store says: the listing doesn't have the "Contains ads" or "In-app purchases" labels — it's free, without advertising and without a paid plan. The last update is from July 2026. It only exists for Android; on iPhone, the Files app, which comes pre-installed on the system, plays a similar role.
The cleaners that left the store
If you were looking for Clean Master (com.cleanmaster.mguard), note that this name is no longer on Google Play. The same applies to DU Speed Booster (com.dianxinos.optimizer.duplayBattery Doctor (com.ijinshan.kbatterydoctor_en) and Advanced Mobile Care (com.iobit.mobilecareThe pages for these apps in the store return an error, and the removal was done by Google itself for violating its policies—especially regarding ad fraud.
The practical problem arises later. Without the app in the store, the search usually leads the user to websites that offer the APK file separately. This route bypasses the Play Store's security checks and may deliver a modified version of the program, with injected ads or permission requests that the original did not make. That's why these names don't appear in the list above. If any of them are still installed on your device, the wisest course of action is to uninstall them and stick with one of the five options on this page.
In which stores is each one available?
It's impossible to lump them all together at this point. CCleaner and Avast Cleanup are available in both the Google Play Store and the Brazilian App Store. AVG maintains a version for iPhone, but under a different name, AVG TuneUp. SD Maid 2/SE and Google Files are only available for Android. On iPhone, cache cleaning happens app by app, within the system settings, because iOS doesn't allow third-party programs to scan other apps' files.
Additional Features of Cleaning Apps
In addition to freeing up memory, many of these apps offer extra features that can be useful: photo organization, management of installed programs, space usage reports, and, in some cases, security tools. These functions transform the app into a maintenance center, not just a cleanup button.
However, an adjustment of expectations is necessary. Android already clears the cache automatically when storage is low, and "speeding up" the phone by closing processes usually yields little result, because the system then reopens what it needs. The real benefit of these apps lies in finding what's taking up space, clearly showing this, and making removal easy—be wary of any app that promises to double your device's speed with a single tap.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- Do cleaning apps really improve cell phone performance? They are especially helpful when the problem is lack of space: a device with almost full storage becomes slow and freezes when installing or updating programs. Freeing up a few gigabytes solves this. Speed gains beyond that are modest.
- Is it safe to use cleaning apps? Yes, as long as they are downloaded from the official store and from known developers. Before installing, check the developer's name in the listing and read the permissions requested: a cleaner does not need access to SMS, calls, or contacts.
- Why isn't Clean Master on this list? Because it was removed from the Google Play Store by Google itself, along with DU Speed Booster, Battery Doctor, and Advanced Mobile Care. Recommending an app that is no longer in the store would mean pushing the reader towards downloads from outside of it.
- Can I download the APK of an app that has been removed from the store? Not recommended. The file distributed by third-party websites does not pass the Play Store's checks and may have been modified. Always prefer a substitute that remains officially published.
- Are these apps free? All of them can be installed for free. Google Files has no ads or in-app purchases. CCleaner, AVG Cleaner, and Avast Cleanup display advertising and sell plans; SD Maid 2/SE has no ads but charges for its advanced tools.
- Do they work on tablets and iPhones? On Android tablets, yes, they all work. On iPhones, only CCleaner, Avast Cleanup, and AVG TuneUp have versions in the Brazilian App Store — and even then, with more limited functions, since iOS restricts access to other applications' files.
Conclusion
Apps for cleaning up phone memory remain useful, as long as the choice is made carefully. The five options on this list were published on the Brazilian Google Play Store when this text was reviewed, with identified developers and recent updates — and three of them also appear on the App Store. If you want something simple and ad-free, start with Google Files; if you prefer detailed control over each file, SD Maid 2/SE delivers that.
The most important point, however, is what was left out: famous names like Clean Master and DU Speed Booster were removed from the store by Google's decision, and searching for them on APK sites replaces a slow phone with a much greater security risk. By choosing the right app from the official store, it's possible to keep your smartphone fast and ready for everyday demands.
