How to Remove Scratches From Your Phone Touch Screen

There are many common ways to damage your phone, and the screen is the most susceptible. From spills to scratches, our phones go through a veritable gauntlet of trials, and, unfortunately, sometimes they don’t make it out unscathed.

A deep scratch on your phone screen is unsightly and annoying, especially if you can feel it mar the otherwise pristine, glossy surface as your finger glides over it. And we’re willing to bet that most phones out there contain a spider web of micro-scratches that aren’t always immediately apparent.

But don’t lose hope yet! There are a few trusty methods you could try if you’re wondering how to remove scratches from your phone touch screen.

Read on to find out the details of how to remove scratches from your phone screen. Consider these techniques carefully, as each comes with its own set of risks and is not recommended for every type of scratch.

4 WAYS TO GET RID OF SCRATCHES ON YOUR PHONE

These four methods can help you to remove scratches from your phone screen easily and effectively. Be aware, these methods are not 100% guaranteed to fix your phone screen, but they are worth trying. 

1. GLASS POLISH

This method for how to remove scratches from your phone screen might be in the sweet spot of value and effectiveness. It uses a product specifically designed for scratch removal. Glass polish, available for watch cases, car windows, and, yes, smartphones, has very mild abrasive properties that gently polish the surface as you rub. 

These glass polish kits are an affordable solution for removing scratches from your phone screen that could save you the cost of replacing the screen. Several kits are available online and in stores with everything you need for the delicate job of polishing your phone’s screen, including large buffing pads and smaller detailing devices that are ideal for corners. 

Glass polish may seem to be removing scratches, but removing the surface around the scratches reduces the thickness of the entire sheet of glass. Many micro-scratches will disappear entirely, and deeper scratches will, at the very least, become less noticeable.

Keep in mind that most phone screens have an oleophobic coating (an oil-resistant coating that reduces fingerprints). Over-polishing runs the risk of entirely removing this coating, so don’t go overboard with any abrasive method. 

2. TOOTHPASTE

If you don’t want to spend the money on a glass polish kit, you might consider raiding your bathroom cabinet for toothpaste. Make sure you’re using a normal, non-gel variety. Like glass polish, toothpaste is a mild abrasive. 

Consider targeting specific scratches with a soft cloth, rather than slathering toothpaste all over your screen, and be sure to cover any ports or openings that you don’t want to get that minty paste in. We recommend dabbing a small amount of toothpaste onto a cotton swab and gently swirling it around the affected areas of the screen. Then, use a slightly dampened cloth to wipe away the toothpaste, and voila!

The internet is lousy with varying accounts of toothpaste’s effectiveness on scratches, so attempt at your own risk. Other common household items, such as magic erasers, baking soda, and bananas, are recommended by some, but we’re deeming them too abrasive (and weird) to be worth the risk of dealing more serious damage to your phone.

3. REPLACE THE SCREEN

Sometimes, a phone screen is just too deeply scratched to be effectively polished out or filled in. If you have AppleCare, it’s extremely affordable just to get your iPhone screen replaced at any Apple Store. Android users are not so lucky, but warranty programs do exist. 

Of course, not all of us have those programs, so it is possible to get your phone replaced at a mall kiosk or, in some cases, at a service provider store. These services can range from double to triple digits in cost, though. 

A quick web search for your phone model plus “screen replacement kit” will also yield far less expensive results, but the process is not for the faint of heart. Removing your old screen involves a fair amount of prying, ultra-sticky glue, and keeping track of tiny screws and cables.

Getting all that stuff packed back in where it goes is no small task. Many kits include small tools that aid in the job, and we’d also recommend a magnifying glass and steady hands. The results of a brand-new screen can do wonders to update a device, though. 

We don’t recommend you try replacing your phone screen unless you are entirely confident that you can do it without damaging the device. Consider if someone you know has replaced a screen before and ask for their assistance if you can.   

If you don’t feel comfortable replacing your phone screen on your own, go to a professional. Even though it is a bit pricey, getting your phone screen replaced is often much cheaper than buying a new phone.

4. GET A SCREEN PROTECTOR!

Do you know the best way to get rid of scratches? Prevent them from happening in the first place! Screen protectors keep any device safe from small dents and scratches that may happen from day-to-day use. It’s well worth the investment to get a high-quality screen protector for your phone to prevent any future damage. 

Let’s say you decide you need your phone screen replaced. Once the new screen is installed, get a screen protector to protect it so you won’t have to worry about how to remove scratches from a phone screen again. Luckily, we know just where to find the best screen protectors.

SaharaCase’s ZeroDamage Tempered Glass screen protectors do exactly what their name suggests: allow Zero Damage to occur. These screen protectors come with an installation kit complete with alignment stickers for perfect placement. Not to mention, there’s an anti-fingerprint technology built-in to prevent oil smudges. And, best of all, the tempered glass design protects your device while maintaining touch sensitivity. 

It’s a very affordable (and scratch-resistant) protector that takes all the punishment, leaving your screen pristine — an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say!

You may be wondering how often you need to replace a screen protector. Unfortunately, there’s no answer set in stone as the longevity of screen protectors depends upon your handling. But, typically, if your screen protector has loads of scratches, has cracked, or is peeling on the edges, it’s time to replace it.

PRO TIP: Buy a new screen protector anytime you get a new device to keep your phone screen free from scratches. We offer screen protectors for Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and more! Order a screen protector on SaharaCase.com and USE CODE: SCRATCH15 to save 15%. 

SCRATCHES BE GONE!

Whether the methods for how to remove scratches from your phone screen above work for you, –– be it glass polish, toothpaste, or some other weird solution –– it’s a good idea to outfit your phone with a quality screen protector. This will prevent any future scratches from blanketing your phone screen. 

That means you need a tempered glass protector, precision-cut for your device, with gently beveled edges and an oleophobic coating. Our long-lasting screen protectors are sure to protect your phone screen from those pesky scratches!

Check out our online store for an entire range of screen protectors (and companion cases) that fit the bill for your favorite device. Happy shopping!

DON’T FORGET USE CODE: SCRATCH15 TO SAVE 15% ON SAHARACASE SCREEN PROTECTORS