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How to Remove Scratches from an iPhone Screen (2026): Effective Solutions

How to Fix Scratches from Phone Screen

Last updated: May 25, 2026  ·  Originally published April 8, 2021

Updated for 2026: We’ve refreshed this guide to ensure the methods are still relevant and have updated our product notes for the latest iPhones. While many of the specific screen protectors listed are for older models, the principles and types of products remain the same.

So, you have got scratches on your iPhone. This is really annoying, especially if you buy a new one. The best prevention is to apply a screen protector before damage occurs, as replacing a damaged screen can be expensive. But if it’s too late for that, we have some potential solutions for you.

Don’t worry about how to remove scratches from your iPhone screen. In general, you can solve minor and moderate scratches at home, while deep gouges may require professional care. Keep in mind that older plastic screens and modern glass screens have significant differences, so you can’t treat them the same way. In the end, purchasing a good brand screen protector is the best way to protect your device going forward.

Before attempting any repairs, it’s always a good idea to have some cleaning and disinfecting supplies on hand to work with a clean surface.

Disinfected Kits for iPhone

Reason to Buy

Price: around $15 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Get rid of smudges and fingerprints
  • Economically cheap 
  • Won’t scratch electronic device screens

Available on Amazon

Price: around $20-$25 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Disinfected within 10 minutes
  • 99% sanitation effect
  • Sanitize and Charge at the same time

Available on Amazon

Why Should You Apply a Screen Protector on Your iPhone? 

You can get screen protectors disgusting while they find ugly scratches so easily. Perhaps, it prepares the smartphone screen less vibrant sometimes. Even after that, this is only one to protect your costly iPhone screen from scratches and ugly marks. Let’s learn something more about the importance of screen protectors. 

1. Eliminate Dust and Finger Marks

Continuous tapping can show smudge marks sometimes, this problem comes from natural skin oil. But screen protectors hold lipophobic coating to eliminate this problem. Besides, this technology also prevents dust or grime accurately. Other than that you can take help from disinfected kits. 

Disinfected Kits for iPhone

Reason to Buy

Price: around $14 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Safely removes dust, fingerprints, and smudges 
  • Resealable Package for easy storage
  • Anti-static cloth

Available on Amazon

Price: around $8 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Durable and shock resistance
  • Compatibility: Designed for older iPhones with a Lightning port (e.g., iPhone 5 through XS), but may work with newer models that still use Lightning.
  • Easy to use

Available on Amazon

Price: around $30-$35 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Helps reduce bacteria
  • Leaves hands feeling soft
  • Kills common germs

Available on Amazon

2. Extra Aesthetic Benefit 

If you buy a reflective screen protector, you can get further a mirror image from it. Thus you have the opportunity of checking make-up or hairstyle on the screen when switched off. 

3. Obstruct Unwanted Fall 

Tempered glass is more effective than plastic-type. Further, this truth worth for iPhone also, know that in the meantime of accidental fall, the screen protectors appear like a shock- absorber or damper. 

4. Protect Water Damage

Water always harmful for smartphones, basically can bring extensive hardware or software problems. It doesn’t seem if you drop your iPhone in the swimming pool, and the screen protector will guard. But this security guard really helpful in consideration of accidental water splashes.

Note: Screen protector always ensures not to get scratches on your iPhone screen. Thus, users are encouraged to invest extra 10/15 dollars behind this fact. But some other benefits moreover give you more peace of mind. 

Best Plastic iPhone Screen Protector 

ProductBest forPriceCompatibility

4H hardness

around $13 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 12 Pro Max (an older model, but similar protectors are available for current iPhones)

Have bullet shield material

around $25 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro (older models, but the brand may offer versions for newer phones)

Maintain HD clarity 

around $28 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone XR (an older model)

Long-lasting Protection

around $6 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 7 (a legacy model)

Made of Japanese PET film  

around $8 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 11 and iPhone XR (older models)

How to Remove Scratches from iPhone Screen: Learn Two Effective Methods 

Today millions of people use iPhone, so every day a huge amount of accidental consequences happen with the iPhone screen. Especially when falling to the ground or get unsightly scratches. It is good to change the affected screen and apply a screen protector. But, in most cases, an effective remedy also can help you. So, we are going to explain the iPhone screen scratch repair method with two solutions step by step for you so that you can know how to remove scratches from iPhone sides and screen as well. 

Method 1: Home Remedy (For Plastic Screen) 

Necessary Equipment You Need 

  1. Silky cloth
  2. Fabric cloth 

Step 1: Wipe starched Screen 

Take the Lysol wipe and rub it on your iPhone screen in a circular motion. You will continue this process for a few minutes so that all the present dirt will be removed. Then, it’s time to dry the screen, so hold the fabric cloth and complete wiping. 

Step 2: Take toothpaste or Baking Soda 

If you pick toothpaste, ensure that it is regular whitening toothpaste, get- based won’t work for you because of not having abrasive quality. So, check again. Alternatively, you need to mix two-part of baking soda and one part of the water in a bowl. Make a thick paste by stirring several times. 

Step 3: Rub Toothpaste or Soda Paste

Hold the cotton swab or toothbrush and take a small amount of toothpaste or baking soda. Now, you can start rubbing on the phone screen, do it in a circular motion until the starches are barely noticeable. 

Step 4: Clean iPhone Screen Again 

Once you find the scratches are fade away, it’s time to cleaning. Thus, take the silky cloth and slightly damp it with water. Wipe the screen gently. 

Method 2: Chemical Product (For Glass Screen) 

Important Note: These products are designed for automotive paint, not for modern smartphone screens. While some users report success on minor scuffs, there’s a significant risk of permanently damaging your iPhone’s oleophobic (fingerprint-resistant) coating, which can make smudges worse and affect screen clarity. This method is generally not recommended for newer iPhones. Proceed with extreme caution and at your own risk.

Recommendation of Car Starches Removal Cream and Car Polish

ProductReason to Buy

Price: around $15-$20 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • 100% satisfaction
  • Full refund assurance
  • Safely usable

Available on Amazon

Price: around $19 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Delivers professional results
  • Works effectively
  • Easy to use

Available on Amazon

Price: around $25 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • 100% refund return policy
  • Proven results
  • Easily restore like before

Available on Amazon

Price: around $5 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Quickly and easily penetrates
  • Heavy duty paste
  • Easy to use formula

Available on Amazon

Price: around $7 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Easy to use bottle
  • Long-lasting benefit
  • Works perfectly

Available on Amazon

Necessary Equipment You Need 

Step 1: Purchase a car Starch Remover and Read the Manual 

Majority of iPhone requires glass screen today, and you have to know that here needs more heavy-duty solution than toothpaste or baking soda. So, buy a renowned brand car starch remover and read the product manual carefully. 

Step 2: Clean the Damage Screen 

Hold the microfiber cloth and gently clean the whole screen. It’s important to wipe away all the dust or grime totally. 

Step 3: Prepare the Scratch Remover 

Now, you wear the gloves not to get any chemical reaction and pour a small amount of polish or wax into a bowl. Take the silky cloth and dip it in liquid. 

Step 4: Rub on the Scratches and Dry the Screen 

For a few minutes, try to rub on the affected area in a circular motion. While you see the scratches are fade away, clean the excessive remover with a clean cloth.

Cautions 

  • Power down iPhone before starting. 
  • Remove headphones, charging cable, or even iPhone case if adjunct.
  • Enclose all vulnerable spots with transparent cello tape to prevent any liquid injury. 
  • Don’t rub hard while applying abrasive polish. 

Check Some iPhone Accessories 

iPhone Accessories 

Reason to Buy

Price: around $30-$35 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Perfectly aligned magnets
  • Works amazingly with iPhone 
  • Quick charging

Available on Amazon

Price: around $50 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • Silky, soft-touch finish
  • Built-in magnets
  • Protect from scratches and drops

Available on Amazon

Price: around $14 as of 2026

Key Features:

  • USB rechargeable design
  • 3 adjustable brightness levels 
  • replacement or a full refund offer

Available on Amazon

Apple Support for iPhone Screen 

Apple doesn’t offer any support for replacement if the damage is strictly cosmetic. Though you can’t get regular warranty service due to accidental damage but can get some help from AppleCare plus. AppleCare+ offers discounted repairs for accidental damage. When an iPhone isn’t covered, you can contact an Apple store or Apple-authorized Service Provider for out-of-warranty repair options.

Note that Apple never recommends any liquids for cleaning iPhone, then also not grant scratch remover for uprooting unexpected cracks or scratches. Rather than for usual use, you might find Microfiber cloth as a recommended cleaning method. 

How to Prevent Scratches 

Today cellphones are becoming too much advanced, and alongside getting more possibility to scratch from dust or sudden fall. So, before knowing how to remove scratches from phone touch screen, why shouldn’t you prevent scratches from the beginning? It’s really will be good if you buy a screen protector with a new iPhone. Perhaps, this solution won’t take more cost than replace a damaged screen.

In a comparison of plastic protector and tempered glass, always the second one offers better durability, lifetime, and comfortable feel together with fresh visibility. Further, remember that minor scratches can happen at any time because of excessive crabby dust. You might use a microfiber or silky cloth regularly if you can wipe 2/3 times in a day.

Best Tempered Glass Screen Protector 

Product Best for Price Compatibility  

Reliable and durable performance 

around $6 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 8, 7, 6 & 6s (legacy models)

Protect scratches ,bumps and scrapes

around $7 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 11 & XR (older models)

Touch sensitive & case-friendly 

around $8 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 12 & 12 Pro (older models)

Eliminate finger-print 

around $7 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone X, XS & 11 Pro (older models)

Smooth feeling facility 

around $15 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone X & XS (older models)

Have 3D touch compatibility 

around $8 as of 2026

Available on Amazon

iPhone 8, 7, 6 & 6S (legacy models)

Final Words 

iPhone has become the most expensive mobile brand in the market. So while you are willing to buy it, you should take few careful steps so that you can deserve a journey without damage. It is really worth buying a screen protector not to get struggling about how to remove scratches from iPhone screen later. 

Or even no matter when you are late and faced ugly scratches on your iPhone. Then, our solutions definitely will help you in general. After all of this, if you can’t solve the damage, contact Apple Service and choose a good screen protector. 

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