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01How to clean your phone screen in 2 minutes
To clean a phone screen, power it off, wipe it with a soft lint-free cloth, and only add a little water to the cloth if the smudges won't budge. That handles fingerprints and makeup on almost any phone.
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Unplug and power off
A black screen shows every streak, and you won't trigger random taps. Unplug any cable first. Apple's cleaning guidance starts with this step.
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Take the case off if it overlaps the screen
Raised case lips trap grime right at the edge of the glass. Clean the case separately; our case cleaning guide covers each material.
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Dry wipe with microfiber
Use light pressure and small circles, top to bottom. Fold the cloth to a clean side as it picks up oil.
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Dampen the cloth, not the phone
If smudges stay, slightly dampen a corner of the cloth with water. It should feel barely wet, never dripping. Wipe, then buff dry with the dry side.
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Keep moisture out of openings
Go lightly around the earpiece, front camera and edges, and don't let liquid run toward the charging port or speakers.
Clean cotton is soft enough, but it smears oil around rather than lifting it, and any grit in the fabric can scratch. A microfiber cloth in your bag fixes that for good.
02What's safe to use on a phone screen
Phone screens have a thin oil-repelling (oleophobic) coating that makes fingerprints wipe off easily. Harsh cleaners and rough materials wear it faster, and once it's thin the glass feels grabby and smudges more. Here's what the manufacturers' guidance allows.
| Cleaner | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microfiber cloth, dry or slightly damp | Yes | Best for everyday cleaning |
| 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe | Yes | Apple, Google and Samsung all list 70% alcohol for disinfecting. Wipe gently |
| 75% ethyl alcohol wipe | Yes | Listed by Apple |
| Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | Yes | Listed by Apple for hard, nonporous surfaces |
| Window cleaner (Windex), household sprays | No | Apple says no window or household cleaners, ammonia or solvents |
| Bleach or hydrogen peroxide | No | Apple says avoid both |
| Paper towels, tissues, rough cloths | No | Abrasive and shed lint |
| Compressed air | No | Can force debris into openings; Samsung says it can damage the surface |
Screen-cleaning sprays sold for electronics are a gray area. If you use one, mist the cloth, never the phone, and read the label for ammonia or other solvents your phone maker says to avoid.
Wipe gently. Apple notes that excessive wiping can cause damage, and pressing hard with an alcohol wipe is the fastest way to thin the coating. Light pressure and a few passes do the job.
03Three ways to clean, depending on the mess
Dry microfiber
- Zero risk to the coating
- Takes seconds
- Won't remove sticky residue
Slightly damp cloth
- Lifts what a dry cloth smears
- Barely damp, never wet
- Buff dry afterward
Alcohol or disinfecting wipe
- Kills germs on hard surfaces
- Wring out excess first
- Don't scrub; wipe gently
There's no need to disinfect every day unless your job calls for it. A weekly wipe-down, plus extra after you've been sick or out in public spaces, covers most people. Nurses and food workers should follow their workplace policy; see phone accessories for nurses for a wipe-friendly setup.
Don't forget the rest of the phone. The back glass, the camera lenses and the edges where your fingers rest collect just as much grime as the screen. Camera lenses in particular get smudged from pocket lint and fingertips, which makes photos look hazy. A dry microfiber pass over the lenses before you shoot fixes more "blurry camera" complaints than any setting.
04Cleaning a screen with a protector on
Clean a tempered glass protector the same way you'd clean the screen: microfiber first, a gentle alcohol wipe to disinfect. Most glass protectors have their own oleophobic coating, and when that wears down, you replace a cheap sheet of glass instead of living with a grabby display.
- Wipe from the center outward. Pushing toward the edges can lift a protector that's already loose. If it is, see screen protector edges lifting.
- Go easy on the edges. Liquid can creep under the protector's border and leave a cloudy patch.
- Matte and privacy protectors smudge differently. A dry cloth usually does it; heavy wiping can leave shiny patches on matte finishes.
- Cracked protector? Don't clean over it. Replace it before glass splinters catch your cloth or finger. Our install guide makes the swap easy.
A microfiber kit for daily wipes, a pocket kit for the bag, and a replacement protector if yours has seen better days.
05Screen cleaning checklist
If liquid does get into the port while cleaning, don't charge it right away. Follow what to do when your phone gets wet.
Questions people ask
Can I use Windex on my phone screen?
No. Apple specifically says not to use window cleaners, household cleaners, ammonia or solvents on an iPhone. They can wear down the screen's oleophobic coating. Use a microfiber cloth with a little water instead.
Is it safe to clean a phone screen with alcohol?
Yes, in the right form. Apple allows 70% isopropyl or 75% ethyl alcohol wipes on hard surfaces, and Samsung recommends a 70% or stronger alcohol solution applied to a microfiber cloth, not sprayed on the phone. Wipe gently and avoid soaking it.
Can I use disinfecting wipes on my phone?
Apple lists Clorox Disinfecting Wipes as OK for the iPhone's hard, nonporous surfaces, and Google's Pixel guide mentions household disinfecting wipes. Squeeze out excess liquid and keep it away from openings. Avoid anything containing bleach.
How often should I clean my phone screen?
Wipe off smudges whenever they bother you, and do a proper disinfecting wipe about once a week, or more often after being sick, traveling or working in healthcare or food service.
How do I get scratches off my phone screen?
You can't clean them off. Toothpaste and polishing tricks can make things worse by wearing the coating. Deep scratches need a screen repair. For the future, a tempered glass protector takes new scratches instead of your display.