A 2023 YouGov survey found that 46% of Americans use a screen protector on their smartphone to protect it from bumps, scrapes, and drops. While some of these screen protectors will be made of soft film, many others will be made of tempered glass, designed for more effective protection. Unless you handle your phone with kid gloves (in which case you may not need a screen protector), you’ve probably dropped it at some point or spilled it in a bag or pocket.
As a result, over time, the glass protector may crack or chip, a sign that it has taken punishment that might otherwise have reached the phone’s screen. Whether you can continue to use a cracked screen protector depends on the extent of the damage. For example, if its condition continues to deteriorate to the point where you can feel sharp edges when you run your finger over it, or if broken fragments fall off, then you should start seriously thinking about replacing it.
Also keep in mind that if the screen protector is badly cracked, such as in a corner, it could leave part of your screen unprotected, possibly damaging it. Fragments of the screen protector could even scratch the screen over time. If the protector begins to seriously deteriorate, the touchscreen may stop responding in certain areas. In this case, it’s definitely time to invest in a new protector or start looking for other ways to protect your screen.
How to Remove a Damaged Screen Protector
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There’s no need to panic at the first sign of damage to your smartphone’s screen protector, but the longer it’s on your device, the harder it can be to remove when you finally decide to take it off. Cracks may extend across the entire screen, while small pieces may start to break off from the edges, especially the corners. That’s when you know it’s time to fix the problem. At this point, the damage may make the screen difficult or unpleasant to view, giving you another good reason to get a new protector.
If you’ve reached the point where you know it’s time to remove it, do so slowly and carefully to avoid hurting yourself or marking the screen underneath. First, find a well-lit place to work. Next, turn off your phone and remove the case, if you have one. If the screen protector is badly broken, you may want to wear protective glasses and gloves. You should also apply clear tape over it to help hold the fragments together and make them easier to remove.
Next, use your fingernails or something like a thin plastic card to gently pry up one of the corners, but avoid using sharp metal tools as they may damage the phone screen. Slowly peel off the protector while supporting the rest as best you can. Once you have safely removed the protector from the phone, make sure there are no fragments on the screen. Finally, clean the surface of your phone with a microfiber cloth. Now you are ready to decide how to protect your phone screen in the future.
Other ways to protect your smartphone
If you’re tired of replacing damaged screen protectors on your smartphone, it might be time to ditch the tempered glass in favor of a different setup. For this, you can consider a neater option in the form of a flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film or hydrogel film, combined with a protective case. Some TPU films even have self-healing properties that can reduce the appearance of marks and scratches.
If it’s a high-quality film, it’ll be a long time before it starts showing signs of edge peeling, and it certainly won’t break, while a decent case will take care of the edges and back of your phone, including the raised camera bump if it has one. There are many durable phone cases on the market, as well as other options such as wallet phone cases for greater usability. Even minimalist cases can do a great job of protecting your phone, depending on the nature of your daily routine.
While it’s true that a clear film generally offers less impact protection, as well as a different feel than tempered glass, this could be the solution if you primarily want scratch protection and are happy with a case and film combination. Some even claim that improvements in screen materials and glass mean there’s no real need for a screen protector anymore. Ultimately, the right choice is the one that best fits the way you use your phone, as well as your risk tolerance.
