How to Remove a Cracked Screen Protector Without Damaging Your Phone

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Even if you buy an expensive screen protector, it may crack if you drop it hard enough. Plastic screen protectors generally don’t crack because they’re made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is thin and flexible but doesn’t offer the same level of protection as tempered glass. When plastic screen protectors become damaged, just gently remove them: you may need a credit card to pry the corners. Since the material is fragile, if you don’t do it correctly, one of the worst things that can happen is tearing the protector. On the other hand, cracked glass screen protectors are more difficult to remove and you can damage your screen if you don’t do it correctly.

Given how tightly a glass screen protector adheres to your phone’s display screen, you might feel the need to use a metal object to remove it. It is, however, an almost surefire way to scratch or chip the phone screen. If the screen protector is bent, you may try to remove it forcefully, which may also crack the screen since the force is concentrated on a small area of ​​the screen. So, if you want to remove a cracked screen protector, you need to make sure that you have the right tools and use the right technique. You should also know how to prepare the screen for a new screen protector.

To remove the cracked screen protector, you will need something thin enough that you can slide it between the screen and the screen protector to lift the corner and then gently peel off the adhesive. What works best here is a business card or credit card. You will also need invisible tape to hold the cracked parts together so you can remove the screen protector as a whole. You don’t want it to crack and break further, which could also damage your phone. A good option is this six-pack of invisible gift wrapping ribbons, available on Amazon for $6.29. You’ll also need a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive so that stubborn stuck pieces don’t crack the screen protector even further.

With these items at hand, follow the steps below:

1. Turn off your phone to prevent the screen from turning on, which can make it harder to see what you’re doing.

2. Place pieces of tape over the cracked areas.

3. Hold the hair dryer six inches from the screen protector.

4. Use it on the lowest setting for 15 seconds to loosen the adhesive.

5. Gently lift one of the corners of the screen protector using the business card or credit card.

6. Now, gently peel off the screen protector, taking care not to force it at any point in the process.

Once the cracked screen protector is removed, you may notice that some adhesive remains on the screen, making the phone sticky when you slide your finger. If you want to apply a new screen protector immediately, you must clean the screen first. If you’ve already purchased a replacement screen protector, it will likely come with what you need, including isopropyl alcohol wipes. Isopropyl alcohol can easily dissolve adhesives and is relatively inexpensive, which is why it is generally recommended for this type of work. If the new protector doesn’t come with wipes, you can purchase something like Med Pride Sterile Alcohol Prep Pads, which cost $6.99 for 200 isopropyl alcohol pads on Amazon.

When purchasing the wipes yourself, make sure they contain 70% isopropyl alcohol. Anything more than that can potentially damage your phone’s screen by removing the coating. Once you have your alcohol (if you’re not using the wipes that came with the new screen protector), dab some on a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the screen to remove any leftover adhesive or fingerprint smudges. This is how your phone is ready to receive a new screen protector. Remember, though, that if you’re using a modern flagship phone, it might not need a screen protector at all.