App Showcase: Dolphin Cleaner

What it does

Dolphin Cleaner is a utility app for iOS focused on freeing up device storage. Its primary functions include scanning for and deleting similar or duplicate photos, clearing out old screenshots, managing large video files, and compressing media to reduce file size. The app also offers tools for organizing contacts, such as merging duplicates and removing incomplete entries.

Where it shines

The app excels at quickly demonstrating its value and making the cleaning process feel simple. The onboarding carousel (00:06) uses clear animations to show exactly what the app does, avoiding generic text. The main cleaning dashboard at 00:43 is well-organized, grouping clutter into distinct categories like "Similar Photos" and "Unclear Photos." This allows users to tackle storage issues in manageable chunks. The process of deleting files is accompanied by a playful dolphin animation (01:24), adding a touch of brand personality to an otherwise mundane task.

UX highlights

• The main dashboard (00:30) provides a clear overview of storage usage and categorizes cleaning tasks with simple icons, making it easy to navigate.
• The "Fast Clean" button initiates a comprehensive scan, but the app also allows users to target specific categories like "Duplicates" or "Screenshots" individually.
• In the photo selection screens (01:13), the app often pre-selects what it considers the non-essential photo, marked with a "Best" tag on the keeper, which simplifies decision-making for the user.
• The contact management feature (03:33) clearly separates issues into "Duplicate Contacts" and "Incomplete Contacts," addressing two common address book problems.
• The "Personal Space" feature (04:57) provides a secure, PIN-protected vault, adding a layer of privacy management to the utility toolkit.
• After each cleaning action, a "Congratulations" screen (01:28) confirms the amount of space saved, providing immediate positive feedback.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is introduced early and aggressively. After a brief feature carousel, the user is presented with a paywall at 00:14. The screen uses a flashing, animated storage bar to create a sense of urgency before showing two subscription options: weekly and yearly access, with the yearly plan marked as a "Best Offer." The app requires a subscription to perform any of its core cleaning functions, making it a hard paywall in practice. A 3-day free trial is offered to lower the barrier to subscribing.

Who it’s for

This app is for smartphone users who are frustrated with running out of storage space but feel overwhelmed by the process of manually cleaning their device. It targets individuals who take a lot of photos and videos and want a quick, automated way to identify and remove redundant files. The simple interface and guided cleaning process make it suitable for non-technical users looking for an all-in-one solution.

Notes & opportunities

The pre-selection of all cleaning categories after a scan (00:43) is efficient but could lead to accidental deletions if a user isn't paying close attention. A final review step summarizing exactly what will be deleted might build more trust. Additionally, while the paywall animation is attention-grabbing, its dramatic portrayal of a storage crisis could be perceived as misleading, potentially harming long-term user trust.