Have you ever wondered how to fix a screen protector with bubbles in it? One of the first things you should do when you get a new phone is to ensure it's adequately protected from damage, and a good screen protector is a big part of that job.
But as anyone who has ever tried to put a screen protector on their phone knows, it isn't easy to do perfectly. We've all seen someone with an expensive handset, and a massive bubble in the middle of the screen.
So if that happens to you, what can you do about it? Here's our guide to getting rid of bubbles from your screen protector. A crystal clear, bubble-free view is yours to be had.
How To Get Bubbles Out Of A Screen Protector
While the biggest complaint about bubbles is the fact they spoil the look of your device, there is a second issue here. Bubbles can indicate that the screen protector is no longer correctly aligned, which can compromise how well it can protect your screen.
Some small bubbles may be an irritation, and you may be content to leave them alone. But if you find yourself being irritated every time you look at your screen, there are a few things you can do to deal with bubbles. We'll start with prevention, and then move on to cure.
Before Installing The Screen Protector
Most screen protector manufacturers will provide all the instructions and equipment you need to correctly install them on your device. But some general principles apply:
- Start by making sure your hands are washed thoroughly, to remove as much oil from your skin as possible.
- Apply the screen protector in a dust-free environment. You probably don't have a clean-room set up in your house. Just try to make sure there isn't lots of dust floating around.
- Clean the screen of your device thoroughly. Usually, you'll use a cleaning wipe, followed by something like a lens cleaning cloth to remove as much dust as possible.
- Finally, make sure you've aligned your screen protector correctly. As many phone and tablet screens are slightly rounded at the edges, misalignment of the screen protector can mean that the seal on the screen protector is compromised.
- Once you've put the screen protector on, allow it to settle and form a seal before you try to remove any bubbles that have appeared.
Sadly though, even the most thorough preparations can't always avoid bubbles. So here's what you can do if a bubble has popped up.
- Read More: How To Replace Screen Protector
What To Do If You Have A Screen Protector Bubble
If you've got bubbles under your screen protector, there are a couple of things you can do to try and eradicate them.
- Start by using something like a bank card and 'sweep' bubbles towards the edge of the screen protector. Start with the largest bubbles. Many of them will disappear once they reach the edge. Ideally, sweep all the bubbles in the same direction.
- If a bubble gets to the edge and won't disappear, you can try to gently lift the edge of the screen protector to let it escape. Ideally, use a piece of plastic rather than your finger, to stop any oil from your skin getting onto the glue. Be very careful doing this, especially if your screen protector is tempered-glass.
- For small bubbles, you can use the corner of a credit card, and try to make them dissipate. They may disappear before they reach the edge of the screen protector.
It's slightly different if you have a bubble that's caused by dust, rather than air. For these, you will need to lift the screen protector and remove the dust. The best way to do this is with a piece of sticky tape. Simply lift the screen protector, then use the tape to pick up the dust, and replace the screen protector once the dust has been removed.
If you've had the screen protector for a while, and bubbles are beginning to appear, this can indicate the glue beginning to fail. If this is the case, then you may need to consider replacing your screen protector.