Ethan Clarke
Screen protectors are indispensable accessories that protect our smartphone screens from everyday scratches and shattering. While they are crafted from either plastic or glass, plastic screen protectors are less likely to shatter and are easier to remove. To replace a plastic screen protector, you must first remove the old one. This can be done by prying up a corner of the protector with a fingernail, toothpick, or credit card, and then sliding the card under the protector to gently lift it away from the screen. Once removed, the screen should be cleaned with a lint-free cloth and a small amount of lukewarm water or an alcohol wipe, before installing the new screen protector.
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What You'll Learn
Use a hairdryer to soften the adhesive
To replace a plastic screen protector, you must first remove the existing one. One way to do this is to use a hairdryer to soften the adhesive.
Firstly, turn on the hairdryer and set it to its lowest heat setting. Hold the hairdryer about 12 inches (300 mm) away from your screen and move it back and forth for 15 seconds. Be sure to keep the hairdryer moving and avoid focusing on one area, as this can cause screen damage.
Once the adhesive is softened, you can use a credit card, guitar pick, or toothpick to carefully separate the protector from the phone's display. Gently slide your chosen tool under each corner in turn, taking care not to scratch the screen. With a corner pulled up, push the tool left and right to encourage detachment.
If you don't have a hairdryer, you can use another gentle heat source such as leaving your device in a warm car or near a radiator. Just make sure the alternative heat source cannot get hot enough to damage other components.
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Lift the corners with a fingernail, toothpick or card
To replace a plastic screen protector, you must first remove the old one. The corners of the screen protector can be lifted with a fingernail, toothpick, or card.
Begin by testing each corner of the screen protector to find one that is a little loose. Then, gently pry at the corner with a fingernail to see if it will start coming away from the screen. If your fingernails aren't doing the trick, try using a toothpick instead. Use a toothpick to gently pry up the screen protector at one of the corners. Make sure to point the sharp end of the toothpick up and away from the screen rather than down towards it so that you don't damage your screen.
If you don't have a toothpick or if your fingernails are too short, you can also use a credit card, guitar pick, or plectrum. Slide your chosen tool under each corner in turn, taking care not to scratch the screen. With a corner pulled up, push the tool left and right to encourage detachment.
Once a corner is loosened, use your fingers to gently pull it up and away from the phone. Begin peeling the protector up along the sides. Go slowly, as you don't want to rush the job and tear your screen protector into pieces.
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Remove the screen protector
Removing a plastic screen protector is a simple process, but it requires careful execution to avoid damaging your screen or cutting yourself on broken glass. Before you begin, make sure to remove your phone case.
Firstly, you need to soften the adhesive beneath the screen protector. The best way to do this is to use a hairdryer on its lowest heat setting, held at least 6 inches away from the screen and moved back and forth for around 15 seconds. Avoid focusing the heat on one area, as this can damage your screen. If you don't have a hairdryer, you can use another gentle heat source, such as leaving your device in a warm car or near a radiator.
Once the adhesive is suitably softened, you can begin to lift the corners of the screen protector. You can use a variety of tools for this, including a credit card, a guitar pick, a toothpick, or your fingernail. Slide your chosen tool under each corner, gently prying the protector away from the screen. If you're using a glass screen protector, you may want to wear gloves to protect your hands in case the glass cracks.
After lifting the corners, slide your tool of choice under the protector and move it back and forth to loosen the edges and fully detach the protector. Finally, carefully lift the protector away from your device and dispose of it appropriately.
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Clean the screen
To clean your device's screen, you should first remove its case to ensure you can clean the entire screen. Then, with a lint-free or microfiber cloth, gently wipe down the screen. You can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or a mild cleaning spray made for electronics. If you don't have a specialist cleaner, a small amount of lukewarm water will suffice.
If there are particularly stubborn marks, you can use a toothpick to gently lift them off the screen. Be sure to point the sharp end of the toothpick away from the screen to avoid damage.
It is important to clean your screen thoroughly before applying a new screen protector. This will ensure that there is no dirt or residue trapped underneath the new protector.
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Apply the new screen protector
Now that you have removed the old screen protector, it's time to apply the new one. Firstly, make sure your hands are clean, and gently clean your phone's screen with a microfiber cloth or appropriate screen cleaner. If your screen protector didn't come with a special solution, use the dry mounting method. If it did, use the wet mounting method.
For the wet mounting method, spray the special solution on the front and back of the screen protector. This will keep it moist during the installation process. You might need to spritz it a couple of times as you install the screen protector to keep it from drying out.
Peel the film from the screen protector's sticky side. Line up the screen protector with your phone's screen, taking extra care to ensure it is perfectly aligned with the device from all sides. Gently place the screen protector on top of your screen, starting at one end and gradually moving to the other.
Take your time. Use a credit card, microfiber cloth, or the installation card that came with your new screen protector to smooth out any bubbles as you apply it; start at the centre and push the bubbles out toward the edges of your screen in short, quick movements.
Finally, take the film off the top of your screen protector. You should see a clean surface. Leave the screen protector to dry for at least half an hour so it will fully bind to your phone's screen.
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Frequently asked questions
First, soften the adhesive by heating it with a hairdryer on its lowest setting for around 15 seconds. Then, use a small, thin object such as a credit card, guitar pick, or toothpick to pry up at the corners. Once a corner is lifted, slide the object under the screen protector and gently move it back and forth, loosening the edges and peeling it up as you go.
Clean your screen by gently wiping it with a microfiber cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or a mild cleaning spray made for electronics. You can also use a lint-free cloth with lukewarm water.
Screen protectors come in plastic or tempered glass varieties. Tempered glass is stronger and offers higher clarity, but plastic is less likely to shatter. Look for features such as an anti-fingerprint coating and maximum scratch protection. Always select a screen protector designed for your phone's make and model to ensure a perfect fit.
If your screen protector came with a special solution, spray it on the front and back of the protector to keep it moist during installation. Peel the film from the protector's sticky side, then carefully align it with your phone's screen. Gently place the screen protector on your screen, starting at one end and gradually moving to the other. Use a credit card, microfiber cloth, or the installation card that came with your kit to smooth out any bubbles, pushing them out towards the edges.
