How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (2024)

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (1)

If you have a crack in your tempered glass screen protector, then it's done its job. It's taken the lumps so that your iPhone or iPad's screen didn't have to. Once a tempered glass screen protector has a crack in it, it's exponentially less effective – you should replace it. Here's how to replace yours so that your iPhone or iPad's screen remains soundly protected.

Removing your old tempered glass screen protector

There are a few ways to remove your busted tempered glass screen protector, and the one you use will depend on just how well-attached the protector is to your screen.

Before you start, use a hair dryer on low on your screen for about 15 seconds. This should slightly heat up and loosen the adhesive on the screen protector. Do not overdo this part.

Method 1

Before getting out your toolkit and working on your iPhone or iPad like it's one of Frankenstein's creations, try removing the screen protector with your fingernail.

  1. Start by trying to lift the screen protector up from each corner. One of them's gotta give!
  2. Once it starts coming up, stop pulling from just the corner and move further along the protector as it starts to peel off. This will help prevent it from falling to pieces before you can get it all the way off.
  3. Pull slowly and evenly; otherwise, you'll have a jigsaw puzzle of tempered glass pieces to clean up.

Method 2

  1. Try using a toothpick to pry up one of the corners. Make sure you point the sharp end up toward the screen protector as you do this and not down toward the screen.
  2. Once you can get a corner up, pull with your fingers, once again pulling slowly and evenly.
  3. If you can, slide a credit card into the gap and slowly push it along to lift the screen protector.

Method 3

Try some duct tape!

  1. Roll a piece of duct tape around two of your fingers with the sticky side out.
  2. Start in a corner and press the duct tape onto it, rolling away from a corner slowly. Hopefully, the duct tape will adhere to the screen protector, and you'll be able to pull it up and off.

Installing your new tempered glass screen protector screen protector

It's hopefully been a long time since you've had to install a tempered glass screen protector, so we'll forgive you, forgetting. Just like removal, there are a couple of installation methods, which will differ based on brand and style.

Either way, make sure your hands are clean so as not to leave residue, dust, or dirt on your iPhone or iPad's screen. This can cause bubbles under your screen protector.

Dry mounting

This method is for tempered glass screen protectors that did not come with a bottle of solution.

  1. Clean your phone's screen with an alcohol pad if the protector came with one. Otherwise, use a lint-free microfiber cloth.
  2. Hold the screen protector and peel off the film on its sticky side.
  3. Very carefully align the screen protector with your iPhone or iPad's screen, making sure you line up the Home button, earpiece, and camera holes.
  4. Slowly place the screen protector onto your screen, starting from one end and carefully working your way to the other.
    • Use a credit card or any application tools that were included with your protector to ensure that it goes on evenly and without bubbles.
  5. Smooth out any bubbles with a credit card or the installation card that came with your screen protector.
    • Starting in the center, push bubbles out toward the edges of your screen with short movements. If you try long pushes, you'll just spread the bubble out under the screen protector. You can also use a microfiber cloth to do this.
  6. Remove the film from on top of your screen protector. This should reveal a completely clean screen protector.

Wet mounting

This method is for tempered glass screen protectors that come with a bottle of spray solution (usually alcohol) to aid in installation. Some folks prefer applying screen protectors this way since it cuts down on static and helps prevent dust and hair from sneaking under your screen protector.

  1. Clean your iPhone or iPad's screen using the spray and a soft cleaning cloth.
  2. Spray both the front and back of the screen protector, being generous with the spray. This will prevent it from drying up during installation.
  3. Carefully place the screen protector onto your iPhone or iPad's screen.
    • Balance one end on the screen and slowly apply it from one end to the other, using a credit card or the flat of your hand.
  4. Use the squeegee that comes with wet-mounted tempered glass screen protectors to squeeze the excess solution out from under the screen protector.
    • Start in the center and gently push it out toward the edges, making sure to hold onto the protector, so it doesn't shift around.
  5. Leave it to dry for at least half an hour. If you're putting a case on your iPhone or iPad, wait at least a couple hours. This will prevent the screen protector from shifting around and will allow it to fully adhere to your screen.

Keep in mind that during installation, you may have to remoisten the screen protector. It can be rather tedious to line everything up properly and you may have to reapply the spray a few times. Just be patient and careful.

Always remember that if there's any pits or cracks in your tempered glass screen protector, you should replace it, even if they're minor. Glass has a habit of turning minor cracks and pits into major defects.

Our top equipment picks

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (2)For iPhone XS

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Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Spigen is another popular brand for smartphone accessories, and you may even have some Spigen cases ready to go for your new iPhone Xs. It provides durable protection for your iPhone XS while it's nestled safely in your Spigen case of choice. It includes installation wings to make it easy to apply, and you get two, just in case.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (3)For iPhone XS Max

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amFilm tempered glass screen protector

amFilm is a popular brand for quality screen protectors, and they also come prepared for the iPhone XS Max. You can get a 3-pack of amFilm screen protectors for $8 on Amazon, and they're tough and durable like their previous products. It comes with everything you need to make sure that the installation goes smoothly, and you get two spares if something goes wrong.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (4)For iPhone XR

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Maxboost Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Maxboost's 0.25mm screen protector is super thin to make sure it doesn't interfere with the touch capabilities of your iPhone XR's screen, and Its open-edge design means it's case-friendly, so you can slip your phone into your favorite case without worrying! Say goodbye to annoying fingerprints too, thanks to it's oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings!

Additional equipment

Lots of screen protectors come with their own removal and/or installation kits; however, there are a couple of items that are never bad to have around the house that can help you with the process.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (5)

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MagicFiber Microfiber cleaning cloths (opens in new tab) ($9 at Amazon)

It's never a bad idea to have some screen cleaning cloths on hand when installing or remove screen protector from your devices. Keep the fingerprints, dust, and other grime away for a clean and smooth installation.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (6)

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Gorilla Tape duct tape (opens in new tab) ($5 at Amazon)

As mentioned in the above guide, a bit of duct tape can help you remove your old broken screen protector.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (7)

Mick Symons

Mick is a staff writer who's as frugal as they come, so he always does extensive research (much to the exhaustion of his wife) before making a purchase. If it's not worth the price, Mick ain't buying.

How to replace a tempered glass screen protector (2024)

FAQs

Can a tempered glass screen protector be replaced? ›

Most plastic and tempered glass protectors are removable, while liquid ones are not because they get embedded into your screen.

How do you remove a tempered glass screen protector? ›

It's important to detach your screen protector from your device as carefully as possible so you don't damage your screen or cut yourself on the glass. Here's what to do: Turn your device off. Using your fingernail—or a credit card—gently lift one corner of the protector and pry it away from the screen.

Can you remove a tempered glass screen protector and put it back on? ›

They have silicon like material that makes it stick to the phone. So you can reapply it as many times as you want. By the way don't try to clean back of your screen protector with micro fiber cloth.

Should I remove broken tempered glass screen protector? ›

Tempered glass is designed to protect you from injury in that when it breaks, it shatters into dull cubes as opposed to shards. But if it gets cracked, such as in an accident, it's important to safely remove tempered glass to prevent harm.

Does removing tempered glass damage screen? ›

If it is removed carefully, starting at one corner, it should not damage the screen. If the screen is already damaged, the screen protector could do further damage if it is removed by pulling out pieces of already-loose glass.

How to remove cracked tempered glass screen protector from iPhone? ›

Grab the toothpick and point one of its sharp ends to one of the corners on the screen protector. Now, use the toothpick to pry up and create a gap between the glass protector and your phone screen. Once there's a gap, use your finger to pull up the screen protector gently along the sides.

How do you remove a screen protector to replace it? ›

REMOVE THE SCREEN PROTECTOR
  1. Step One: Soften the Adhesive. Turn the hair dryer on its lowest heat setting and heat the screen protector to loosen the glue properly. ...
  2. Step Two: Pry Up the Corners of the Screen Protector. ...
  3. Step Three: Use the Corner Openings to Remove It Fully. ...
  4. Step Four: Clean Your Phone's Screen Display.
Nov 12, 2021

When should tempered glass be replaced? ›

With care, a quality tempered glass screen protector will last indefinitely. Chances are, barring any screen-shielding cracks, your screen protector will outlast the other components in your phone, like the battery.

How do I know if my screen is broken or tempered glass? ›

Examine the broken area with bright lights

Moving forward, you can flash a bright light on the screen to check if your phone screen is broken or it's just the tempered glass. Most times, flashing a bright light on the screen won't cause much refraction of light if only the tempered glass was broken.

How many times can you reapply tempered glass? ›

Just once. If you get stuff on it then you are kind of screwed. Happened to me this weekend on the new tempered glass I ordered for my iPad to fix a chip in the old one. Got a piece of cat hair between it and the screen and there was no hope to take it off and put it back on.

What happens if tempered glass breaks? ›

When tempered glass is broken (as shown above), it shatters into thousands of tiny pebbles, practically eliminating the danger of human injury caused by sharp edges and flying shards of glass. The surface compression of heat-strengthened glass makes it approximately twice as strong as annealed glass.

What do I do if my screen protector is cracked? ›

carefully apply the nail polish along the crack and leave it for a minute. This will fill in the cracks. Scrap off the excess polish on the screen using a folded piece of paper or the blunt side of a blade. What you are simply trying to do here is to get the screen protector to look smooth.

Is it OK to use phone without tempered glass? ›

it is safe. specially in screen guard use tempered glass, because if any incident of broke happen then, first the tempered glass broke and your screen is safe. I never used screen protector on the mobiles built in with guerilla glass and found no issues either without them.

Can you put a screen protector over broken glass? ›

Wondering if you can put a screen protector on a cracked screen? You can, but you should only do this in certain circ*mstances. For displays where chips and shards of glass are loose or missing, adding a screen protector is pointless. It won't be able to adhere properly as the glass is in motion.

Can you replace the same screen protector? ›

While some people have found ways to do this somehow successfully, it is generally not advised to reuse a tempered glass screen protector. Once removed from the original device, the glue left on the protector attracts dust.

How do I remove the screen protector from my phone at home? ›

  1. Tear off a piece of duct tape.
  2. With the sticky side facing out, roll the tape around two fingers.
  3. Press your taped fingers against the corner of the screen protector.
  4. Pull the protector up far enough to get your finger or a plastic card underneath.
  5. Remove the screen protector.
Nov 5, 2020

Should you remove screen protector before putting tempered glass? ›

So if you want to put tempered glass on you should remove the preinstalled one. Otherwise you can get difficulties with the touch screen.

Is it easy to remove phone screen protector? ›

It's easy, only takes a few minutes, and you don't need any special tools. Just a wooden toothpick, a credit card, and a hair dryer. The same process works with an intact screen protector, and one that's been cracked or broken into several pieces. Here are the steps to removing the screen protector.

What glue is used in tempered glass? ›

The acrylic glue is fitted to the tempered glass, while silica gel has excellent exhaust performance, it is used to stick the screen protector to the surface of the mobile phone, to make the screen protector easier to install.

How much does it cost to replace a screen protector? ›

While they vary in price, most aren't terribly expensive: Plastic ones typically cost less than $15, while glass screen protectors range from around $10 to upward of $50.

Which is better screen protector or tempered glass? ›

Durability – Screen Protector vs Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is always more robust and durable than plastic. Plastic protectors get scratched easily and are around 0.1mm, while glass protectors are generally 0.3-0.5 mm in thickness. Screen protectors can safeguard your smartphone up to a limit.

Does tempered glass cost more than regular glass? ›

Tempered glass is also costly to purchase and definitely more expensive than standard glass, but less costly than laminated glass. Depending on the preferences of a commercial building owner, the cost is another point of difference that dictates the choice between laminated and tempered glass.

Can tempered glass crack without shattering? ›

During cutting, shipping or installation, tempered glass can be easily chipped or nicked on its edges. This may not cause immediate breakage, but it initiates internal stresses that increase over time with cycles of expansion and contraction.

Does tempered glass shatter or crack? ›

Tempered glass is a unique type of glass created to be stronger and, if it does shatter, it shatters safely. When tempered glass is broken, it will break into thousands of small pieces as opposed to large sharp shards of glass.

How long do tempered glass screen protectors last? ›

Once you apply a liquid glass screen protector onto your phone, the oleophobic coating will last for a period between nine months and two years. Factors that can affect the durability of the accessory include the level of abrasion the surface is exposed to and where the protection is applied.

How long to wait after applying tempered glass screen protector? ›

Step 8: Allow the screen protector to rest for about eight to 12 hours or until fully dry.

Can you put 2 tempered glass over screen protector? ›

You can but I recommend you not to. Using 2 tempered glass usually means more thickness added to the screen. This can affect a lot of things like Touch Response and Accumulation of dust particles more easily than usual. There are also higher chances of peeling especially without a case.

How much does it cost to replace a glass screen protector? ›

While they vary in price, most aren't terribly expensive: Plastic ones typically cost less than $15, while glass screen protectors range from around $10 to upward of $50.

How often should you change a tempered glass screen protector? ›

With care, a quality tempered glass screen protector will last indefinitely. Chances are, barring any screen-shielding cracks, your screen protector will outlast the other components in your phone, like the battery.

What happens when tempered glass screen protector breaks? ›

You might think that the cracks on your screen protector aren't a big deal, so long as you can still see your screen clearly. In fact, even a small crack in your screen protector can put your phone or tablet in danger of irreversible damage and can also be a significant safety risk.

Is it hard to replace a screen protector? ›

Easiest: Aim a hairdryer on a low setting at the screen for 15 seconds to loosen the adhesive. Pull the protector at one corner and peel the sides. Alternate: Pry up a corner of the protector with a toothpick. Peel it along the side.

Does Best Buy install screen protectors for free? ›

A: I was charge 14.99$ for table screen protector installation and 7.99$ for phone screen protector installation. A: they will Install A Screen Protector . but they will Charge A Fee. They do A great Job of install A Screen protector .

Is it worth buying a tempered glass screen protector? ›

Perhaps the greatest advantage of using a tempered glass screen protector is that the material is thicker and stronger than that of your typical plastic screen protector. As a result, your screen protector will be extremely resistant to scratches and other visible damage.

Is tempered glass better than a screen protector? ›

Durability – Screen Protector vs Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is always more robust and durable than plastic. Plastic protectors get scratched easily and are around 0.1mm, while glass protectors are generally 0.3-0.5 mm in thickness. Screen protectors can safeguard your smartphone up to a limit.

Why does tempered glass suddenly break? ›

Spontaneous breakage of tempered glass is most commonly caused by chipped or nicked edges during installation, stress caused by binding in the frame, internal defects such as nickel sulfide inclusions, thermal stresses in the glass, and inadequate thickness to resist high wind loads.

How do you tell if it's the screen or screen protector? ›

Tour around the screen edges to check

Next, you should examine the edges and corners of the phone screen. If there are cracks or lines there, that means your phone screen is cracked. Most screen protectors don't cover the entire part of the screen, so looking at the edges shouldn't be a problem.

Can I put a screen protector over cracked glass? ›

Yes, a tempered glass screen protector will help protect an already cracked phone screen. It may not keep the crack from spreading, but it will make the screen smooth and help prevent more cracks should you drop it again. It will also protect your finger from getting cut.

Can nail polish fix a cracked phone screen? ›

Can you fix a cracked phone screen with clear nail polish? Nail polish is great for fixing runs in pantyhose, but it won't do the same for your phone screen. Please avoid using it or any other beauty products on your broken phone screen.

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