How to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector

Your screen protector is the only thing separating your iPad or iPhone from an early trip to the tech graveyard. Whether you’re ditching your cracked protector or simply switching to a more effective material, you need to know how to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector safely and effectively. 

In this guide, we simplify the process with step-by-step instructions. Our advice is safe, simple, and won’t put a dent in your bank balance. In fact, we’ve only included tools that you’re likely to already have in your home.

Before you begin 

Wondering how to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector? Before you even touch your screen protector, you need to prepare yourself and your device. 

1. Clean your hands: Avoid smudges and unnecessary cleanup by thoroughly washing your hands.
2. Get your device ready: Safeguard your notes, illustrations, and any other work by switching your iPad or iPhone off. 
3. Find a flat surface: Clear your desk and create ample space to remove your screen protector. 

The last piece of prep involves tools. Without knowing the type of screen protector you have — more on that soon — we can’t give you a complete checklist. Regardless, there are a few essentials you might want to add to your toolkit.

• Plastic card: To slide underneath your screen protector.
• Microfiber cloth: To rid your screen protector of dirt, lint, and streaks. 
• Tape: To tape over cracks and protect your hands. 
• Hairdryer: To loosen stubborn adhesive. 
• Gloves: To protect yourself from sharp edges. 

Identify your screen protector type  

Before you learn how to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector, you need to know which type of screen protector you’re dealing with. Different screen protectors have different removal methods, and you need to find the right one to protect your screen during the removal process. 

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) screen protectors

More commonly known as plastic screen protectors, PET protectors are the most common type out there. They are typically affordable, lightweight, stiff, and transparent.

PET screen protectors offer decent defense against scratches and short drops, but they won’t protect your iPhone or iPad against extreme drops. 

Here are a few variations: 

• Privacy PET. A built-in filter stops nosy neighbors from seeing what’s on your iPhone or iPad. 
• Anti-glare PET. Reduces reflections, both indoors and outdoors. This type of PET protector allows you to use your device on the go, even in harsh environments. 
• Anti-fingerprint PET. Most PET protectors are coated in oleophobic materials that minimize the accumulation of oils. However, they are not built to last, and this feature may become less effective over time.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) screen protector

TPU is also a common plastic screen protector material. Unlike PET, TPU protectors tend to be soft and flexible. They offer decent defense against minor scratches and scuffs. 

The main benefit of TPU is its “self-healing” nature: the polymer chains can move and reconnect to fix light scratches, effectively prolonging the lifespan of your screen protector. 

If you have a self-healing TPU screen protector, you might want to tread with caution. There’s a chance that minor cracks or scratches will heal over time, so we recommend waiting a few days before removing your protector.  

Here are a few variations: 

• Full coverage TPU. Super flexible material designed for curved displays, making it perfect for Android screens. 
• Self-healing TPU. Although self-healing TPU has limited capabilities — it can’t, for example, rewind time and repair your phone screen once it’s been shattered completely — it can fix light scratches. 
• Anti-glare & privacy TPU. Coated with privacy or anti-glare filters to improve your experience.

Tempered glass screen protectors 

Tempered glass is chemically or heat-treated to increase its strength and make it shatter-resistant, and the heating and cooling process leaves it with smooth, rounded edges. 

These screen protectors are thicker than standard plastic screen protectors, and the sturdiness makes them easier to install. 

Here are a few variations: 

• Anti-glare. Coated with a matte finish, guaranteeing usability in bright spaces. 
• Clear glass. The standard offering, which promises unbeatable clarity. 
• Hybrid glass. Stops other people from viewing your phone. 
• Privacy glass. Thinner than other tempered glass screen protectors, but still bend-resistant. 

Now that we’ve covered all the basics, here are a few of the more modern screen protector options for iPhone and iPad. 

Fresh Coat 

Fresh Coat is a tempered glass screen protector that packs five layers into a 0.6mm screen. 

One of the layers is high-alumina tempered glass that has been hardened for over four hours to reach 9H scratch resistance — that’s the highest possible rating for tempered glass. 

Then there’s the dust barrier, anti-glare coating, impact-resistant bonding… Bag your own Fresh Coat iPhone screen protector today to enjoy less dust and improved impact resistance.

Liquid skin screen protectors 

Comprised of a liquid solution that typically contains silica, these screen protectors truly stand out from the crowd. 

Once you’ve coated your screen with the liquid, it forms a hard shell. This material is scratch and fingerprint-resistant — at least, that’s what the marketing tells us. 

Plenty of people think that liquid glass screen protectors offer little to no protection. Others say that they simply refresh the oleophobic coating already on new iPhones and iPads. 

Hydrogel screen protectors 

Hydrogel isn’t the same as self-healing TPU, but they share many similar qualities. 

Hydrogel screen protectors are made from TPU that has been treated to boost the flexible, self-healing properties. They tend to be thin and clear and have a rubbery texture that absorbs and dissipates impact, making it impossible to crack the surface. 

How to remove a plastic film screen protector 

Let’s start with the simplest method, which we’ll call the peel method. 

1. Grab a plastic card — or use your fingernail — and gently lift the corner of the screen protector. Don’t be too forceful, or you might damage your screen. 
2. Once one side of your screen protector has lifted, you can use the plastic card to lift the rest. A gentle back-and-forth motion should be fine. 
3. Now that most of the screen protector has lifted, you should be able to peel the rest away.

One of the most common roadblocks when removing a screen protector is the corners. If your corners are refusing to budge, you might need to grab your hair dryer. 

1. Turn the heat to low.
2. Position the hair dryer at least six inches away from the screen.
3. Point the nozzle at the stubborn corner. 

At the 10 second mark, check the corner. The heat from your hair dryer should activate the adhesive, making it far more pliable and easy to handle. Now you can follow our step-by-step instructions on how to remove your plastic iPad screen protector. 

Once the screen protector is off, you might notice bits of adhesive on your iPad screen. Here’s what you need:

• 70%—80% strength isopropyl alcohol or a screen cleaner 
• Microfiber cloth 

If you opt for isopropyl alcohol, only use a small amount. And the cloth doesn’t need to be soaked — a small amount should get the job done. We recommend using a circular cleaning motion to remove the remaining bits of adhesive. 

💡Good to know: Rock Paper Pencil is an iPad screen protector that uses static cling, an alternative to the sticky adhesive on most plastic protectors. It’s super easy to install and remove, making it a solid choice for anyone who wants to avoid a headache. 

For a hassle-free iPhone screen protector, Fresh Coat is the way forward. The alignment tools make it super easy to install, and the dust barrier layer greatly reduces the chances of developing dust bubbles. 

How to remove a tempered glass screen protector 

For tempered glass, your best bet is the heat method. 

You have little to no chance of pulling or peeling a tempered glass screen protector off with force alone. Any attempts to do so could damage your iPad screen. The material is heavier than plastic, meaning it needs a heavy-duty adhesive to stay in place. 

Thankfully, the solution is simple. When used correctly, a hair dryer will soften the adhesive, giving you wiggle room to do what you need to do. Here’s a full breakdown of the heat method: 

1. Grab a hair dryer or a heat gun
2. Turn the heat setting down to low
3. Hold the dryer (or gun) six inches away from your device 
4. Wait for 10 – 15 seconds

So, how do you know when to stop? You’re waiting for the adhesive to activate, or, in other words, to become sticky. If you’re unsure, use your nail or a plastic card to gently pry the protector from your screen. If it budges, the adhesive is ready to go. Then you can use your nail or grab a plastic card to gently lift a corner.

Still not budging? You could try the floss method, which involves — you guessed it — holding a piece of floss taut and sliding it underneath your screen protector. That, plus the stickiness of the adhesive from the heat method, should be enough to remove the protector. 

For tempered glass iPad and iPhone screen protectors, there’s one big stumbling block. If your screen has a crack (or is shattered entirely), you could hurt yourself. After all, it is glass. You can handle this in a few ways: 

• Wear gloves: Protect yourself from shattered glass with a thick pair of gloves. 
• Use sticky tape: Cover the cracks with a piece of sticky tape. This will ensure the protector stays together when you peel it off, meaning you don’t have to worry about rogue shards of glass. 
• Ask a professional: When all else fails, consider taking your device to an Apple Store for professional help. 

Now it’s time to clean your screen. For tempered glass and plastic screen protectors, the same rules apply. You need a microfiber cloth and either a dedicated iPad and iPhone glass cleaner or 70%—80% strength isopropyl alcohol. As always, gentle circular motions are the most effective course of action.ou need a microfiber cloth and either a dedicated iPad glass cleaner or 70%-80% strength isopropyl alcohol. As always, gentle circular motions are the most effective course of action. 

How to remove a hydrogel screen protector 

90% of articles that explain how to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector forget about hydrogel protectors. This is partly down to how easy it is to remove them.

The process is a lot simpler than removing plastic or tempered glass, but we won’t leave you hanging — here’s how to remove a hydrogel iPad or iPhone screen protector.

1. Use your fingernail or a plastic card to lift a corner of the protector. 
2. Slowly peel the protector away. 

It really is that easy! And because hydrogel has self-healing properties and is much softer than tempered glass, you don’t have to worry about dangerous shards.

There’s no need to use a heat source. But if your hydrogel screen protector isn’t budging, you might want to try a hair dryer on the lowest setting. 

Hydrogel protectors are designed for easy installation, removal, and cleaning. You’re unlikely to see any residue on your screen once you’ve removed the protector. But if you do, we recommend taking a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or screen cleaner and wiping your screen in circular motions. 

How to remove a liquid skin screen protector 

True to the name, liquid skin screen protectors aren’t designed to be removed. Once applied, the liquid layer dries and fuses to your screen, basically becoming part of the device. 

Trying to remove it could damage your screen, so we only recommend installing a liquid skin protector if you’re 100% sure about it. 

Post-removal screen cleaning tips 

We’ve already covered our post-screen removal cleaning tips, but here’s a quick reminder.

• Use 70%—80% strength isopropyl alcohol or a screen cleaner spray. 
• Put a small amount of the cleaner on a microfiber cloth.    
• Use gentle circular motions to clean your screen. 

You may want to use handy alternatives, but beware: using the wrong cleaning tools could damage your screen, or even your screen protector if you wish to use it again. 

We recommend avoiding: 

• Abrasive products (like wire scrubbing brushes) ommend taking a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or screen cleaner and wiping your screen in circular motions. 
• Window cleaning spray
• Any cleaning spray containing hydrogen peroxide 
• Compressed air
• Aerosol sprays 
• Solvents 
• Ammonia

How to deal with cracked iPad or iPhone screen protectors 

Most of us have dropped our devices at one point or another, but there is little advice on how to remove cracked iPad or iPhone screen protectors. We’ve already mentioned a few tips for dealing with cracked screen protectors, but it’s worth reiterating. 

For small cracks, the chances are that you can follow our step-by-step instructions for whichever screen protector you have. Use your best judgment to decide whether you need to take more safety precautions. 

For full screen cracks, you might have to pull out the big guns. We recommend pressing tape across the cracks to hold them together. Fingers crossed, when you follow our steps and gently lift the corner of your plastic or tempered glass screen protector, it should lift off in one piece. 

To reduce the likelihood of cutting yourself, consider wearing gloves. 

Generally speaking, you probably won’t have this problem with hydrogel or liquid skin screen protectors. The nature of the materials allows them to either 1) absorb energy from accidental drops without cracking or 2) gradually repair cracks over time. 

💡 Good to know: To protect your iPad from accidental cracks, we’ve put together a list of the best iPad Pro cases.

Try Rock Paper Pencil or Fresh Coat 

Fresh Coat is a great alternative to leading iPhone screen protector brands. It has five layers; one is made out of 9H-rated tempered glass, and the other features impact-resistant bonding. If your existing screen cracks and you need to buy another, you can use the alignment tool to make your life easier. 

Rock Paper Pencil takes convenience one step further. It’s a glue-free, matte screen protector for iPads. It’s ideal for digital notetakers, illustrators, and creatives who want a realistic pen-on-paper feeling. And, because of the static cling, you can attach Rock Paper Pencil to your iPad in seconds. You can even place it over your existing screen protector, so you get all the benefits of a realistic drawing and writing surface with superb drop protection. 

Conclusion 

There’s plenty of advice online about how to remove an iPad or iPhone screen protector, but few guides talk about the different types of materials you might encounter. Plastic, tempered glass, hydrogel, and liquid skin screen protectors all have different properties and require different levels of care and consideration. 

And when you throw cracked screens into the mix, you have a very real health and safety problem. We’ve removed screen protectors a thousand times, so we know how to avoid the common pitfalls when removing a cracked protector. 

If you use our tips and tricks, you should have no problem safely removing your iPad or iPhone screen protector. 

FAQs

When should I replace my screen protector? 

When you notice signs of deterioration, it’s time to replace your screen protector. Scratches and cracks compromise the integrity of your screen protector and, if your protector has more cracks than screen, your device isn’t as protected as it could be. Plus, a damaged protector can hamper your ability to see text messages, videos, and games.

Scratches and cracks can also be frustrating for graphic designers, digital artists, and notetakers who use Apple Pencils. Your Apple Pencil might get caught in the groove of a scratch, interrupting your workflow and pushing back deadlines. 

So, if you’ve experienced any of these issues, you need to replace your screen protector.

Are there easier-to-remove screen protectors I should consider next time? 

Yes! 

Rock Paper Pencil is super easy to remove because it doesn’t use an adhesive. Instead, it uses static cling to instantly connect to your iPad. This means that you can install (and remove) the protector within a few seconds. 

What’s the best way to remove a cracked iPad or iPhone screen protector? 

Wondering how to remove a cracked iPad or iPhone screen protector? The solution is simpler than you think: your best bet is to put tape over the cracks. The tape should hold the plastic or shards of glass in place while you follow these steps: 

1. Wear a pair of thick gloves.
2. Use a plastic card to gently lift the corner of your screen protector. 
3. Slide the plastic card underneath the protector until it lifts entirely.

There you have it, you’ve removed your cracked screen protector without getting shattered glass everywhere. 

Should I turn my device off before removing the screen protector? 

Here’s why you should turn off your device before removing the screen protector: 

• Static electricity: Turning off your device reduces the likelihood of producing static electricity, meaning there’s less chance of getting a shock. 
• Removal process: When the screen is black, the edges of the screen protector will be more obvious. 
• Safety: There’s no chance of sending accidental texts when your device is off. 

How can I get rid of the leftover adhesive after removing the protector? 

Most screen protectors will leave some form of residue on your screen. But don’t panic, removing leftover adhesive is super easy. 

Here’s what you need: 

• A microfiber cloth 
• 70%—80% strength isopropyl alcohol or a purpose-made screen cleaner 

The trick is to gently wipe the adhesive away with circular motions. Be careful not to be too rough, because you might damage your screen. 

Does a cleaning solution actually help? 

A cleaning solution can help, but only if it’s a dedicated iPad or iPhone screen cleaner. Some people mistakenly think that a standard window cleaner is a good alternative, but anything not specifically designed for your device could damage it. 

Is it okay to reuse a screen protector after removal?

Sometimes. If you’re actively trying (and failing) to install a screen protector and quickly correct your course, the adhesive is probably still sticky enough to try again. 

But, if we’re talking about a protector that’s been on your iPad or iPhone for a few days or more, it’s not recommended. You can’t reuse a glue-based screen protector. 

However, you can reuse Rock Paper Pencil. There’s no glue involved, just static cling. You can install it and remove it whenever you like, making it easy to switch between a realistic pen-on-paper feeling and HD viewing. 

Does removing a screen protector damage the screen underneath? 

In some cases, yes. Remember those liquid skin screen protectors we mentioned earlier? It’s not a good idea to try and pull one of them off your phone. 

Other types of screen protectors are much more manageable, and screen protectors that use static cling (like Rock Paper Pencil) pose no problem at all. 

Glue-based screen protectors are somewhere in the middle. Before you attempt to remove one of these protectors, read our guide.

Want a screen protector that can be taken off and remain useable?

Then Rock Paper Pencil is for you!

Designed to create the most realistic pen-on-paper feel for iPad – Rock Paper Pencil includes a reusable, paper-feel iPad screen protector and two ballpoint Apple Pencil tips. 

Built with nano-texture technology, Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Pencil, giving you more control while drawing or writing.

• NanoCling Screen Protector: Securely bond your screen protector to your iPad using static cling. Easy application, non-adhesive, removable and reusable.
• Matte Texture: Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
• Precision Apple Pencil Tips: Smoother, more controlled strokes