Clean Up not showing up on your iPhone?

1. Your iPhone doesn't support Apple Intelligence

This is the most common reason, and the one you can't fix with a setting. Clean Up is part of Apple Intelligence, which needs an A17 Pro chip or newer (and 8GB of RAM). Only these iPhones qualify:

• iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
• All iPhone 16 models, including the iPhone 16e
• iPhone Air
• All iPhone 17 models

If you have a regular iPhone 15 or 15 Plus, an iPhone 14 or older, or any iPhone SE, Clean Up will never appear — no matter which iOS version you install. Check your exact model in the compatibility checker.

2. You're running an iOS older than 18.1

Clean Up arrived in iOS 18.1. On a supported iPhone, go to Settings › General › Software Update and install the latest version.

3. Apple Intelligence is switched off (or still downloading)

Even on a supported, updated iPhone, Clean Up only appears once Apple Intelligence is enabled. Go to Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn it on. The first download can take a while; Clean Up appears under Edit in Photos once it's ready.

4. Regional restrictions

Clean Up isn't available on iPhones purchased in mainland China. Apple Intelligence reached the EU with iOS 18.4, so make sure you're fully updated if you're in Europe.

If your iPhone simply can't run Clean Up

Most iPhones in use today can't — and that's fine. Removex removes people and objects from photos on any iPhone running iOS 17.6 or later. You tap the person, Removex detects the whole subject, and it rebuilds the background at full resolution. It also handles large, close-up subjects that Apple's Clean Up tends to smear.