How to clean your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

AppleInsider

You've spent a lot of money on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and you don't take enough care of them. Here's how to clean them -- and, crucially, what you must not ever do.

Do not clean any iPhone with an abrasive product like this. We're begging you.

There's a reason all of the equipment in Apple Stores always looks so good -- it's typically cleaned around twice a day. You're never going to have the time or the staff to do that and, to be fair, you're unlikely to have hundreds of customers trying out your new iPhone 11 Pro.

Still, you are human, and that means both that your fingers are naturally oily and that whatever iPhone, iPad or iPod touch you've got, you're going to have other things on your mind than keeping it pristine.

You do want it to stay looking good, however, so knowing how to clean it when necessary is important. It also varies between devices -- and between different models. The latest iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, for instance, have what Apple calls an "advanced textured matte finish" which needs careful handling.

Cleaning iPhones

Switch off the iPhone as soon as you notice anything like a stain, smear or apparent scratch on its casing. Also switch it off when you can't see anything obvious, but the phone has been in sand or dirt, or it's been near detergent, makeup products, or foods.

There is one difference with the latest iPhones which may give you some hope if you see what appears to be a scratch on the casing.

"On iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max," says Apple in a support document, "... [with] normal use, the textured glass may show signs of material transfer from objects that come in contact with your iPhone, such as denim or items in your pocket. Material transfer may resemble a scratch, but can be removed in most cases."

The words "most cases" seems a bit optimistic, but you have to give cleaning a go.

Here's how to clean that iPhone

• Power down the iPhone


• Wipe with a lint-free cloth


• If that doesn't work, dampen the cloth with soapy water


• But don't get liquids or moisture into openings


• Never use compressed air or cleaning products

From the original iPhone through to the iPhone 5, Apple also specifies that you shouldn't use compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide.

It doesn't say that with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max, but pretend it does. These types of cleaning products are strong, and your iPhone is delicate.

With these latest iPhones, Apple also notes they have "fingerprint-resistant oleophobic-- oil repellent-- coating." Using a cleaning product will wear away that coating and that could be what gives you phone a scratch.

Here's how to clean an iPad

Apple uses a similar oleophobic coating on the iPad, but this time for the screen. To clean that, bring out your stock of lint-free cloths and wipe.

• Switch off the iPad


• Unplug all cables


• Wipe with soft, slightly damp lint-free cloth

Again, don't use any household or window cleaning products, aerosol sprays, solvents or really just about anything at all other than that lint-free cloth. It's a good thing someone invented those.

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In normal use, the only issue with your iPad screen is going to be the oil from your fingers, but that's enough to look messy. But even wiping to clean that is also going to diminish the coating eventually, so consider putting up with a messy screen.

It's not as if you're going to notice the fingermarks when the screen is on and you're using the iPad, too.

Or you can take Apple's advice and buy a case.

Cleaning the iPod touch

In terms of cleaning, the iPod touch is a hybrid between the iPhone and the iPad. It's as delicate as either, and is as dependent on lint-free cloths as anything Apple ever makes.

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It does not, though, use an oleophobic coating that you need to be careful of. To clean an iPod touch:

• Switch it off


• Unplug the Lightning cable


• Unplug any headphones


• Wipe over with soft and slightly damp lint-free cloth

Don't use any abrasive cleaning products. Really don't use anything but the lint-free cloth.

Just in case

Every Apple product is designed to take hard knocks, except the one in your pocket. Every iPhone is built to withstand the most amazing drops onto concrete, unless it's your iPhone and your concrete.

As good as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch feels in your hand, it is an expensive device and you can both protect it and keep it clean by putting it in a case.

In 2021, Apple introduced its own Apple polishing cloth. While roundly mocked for its $19 price tag, it immediately sold out -- and is good for cleaning screens.

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anilu_777

So a cleaning fluid that says it’s for smartphone screens is harmful to the oleophobic coating??

mike wuerthele

Anilu_777 said:

So a cleaning fluid that says it’s for smartphone screens is harmful to the oleophobic coating??

Apple doesn't recommend any of them.

kbuffett

Mike Wuerthele said:

Anilu_777 said:

So a cleaning fluid that says it’s for smartphone screens is harmful to the oleophobic coating??

Apple doesn't recommend any of them.

Apple use Whoosh in their stores on their products 

edited February 2020

bayhorse

I have used a stylus on my screen for years. They are very inexpensive, and you can keep your greasy mitts off the screen!

mike wuerthele

KBuffett said:

Mike Wuerthele said:

Anilu_777 said:

So a cleaning fluid that says it’s for smartphone screens is harmful to the oleophobic coating??

Apple doesn't recommend any of them.

Apple use Whoosh in their stores on their products 

Right, but they don't recommend any of them for consumers, which is the point.

ios_guy80

Been using a micro fiber cloth for years and never have powered device off when wiping the screen. Not sure why it’s recommended to turn your device off when wiping the screen?

jt327gir

Or, buy a glass screen protector for your iDevices. I use a soft cloth and water. If the glass protector ever gets scratched or cracked, you can peel it off and install a fresh one. 

edited February 2020

mac daddy zee

I believe Apple had given recommendation to iKlear wipes now with 2 micro-fiber clothes  but not seeing that on latest packaging...?!?

mike wuerthele

mac daddy zee said:

I believe Apple had given recommendation to iKlear wipes now with 2 micro-fiber clothes  but not seeing that on latest packaging...?!?

They stopped the iKlear recommendation about five years ago.

dewme

Does Apple provide recommendations for cleaning the Lightning port? I’ve restored 3 iPhones that were thought to have faulty Lightning ports simply by (very carefully) removing the lint that had accumulated in the Lightning port. One of these was a recent vintage iPhone that the owner had taken to an Apple store and was told that the phone’s Lightning port was bad. The owner held off from getting the repair for many months and lived with intermittent charging problems due to the cost. I cleaned out the Lightning port on the phone using a disposable micro applicator brush (found in the vicinity of makeup counters) and he’s had no problems with the port since, going on nearly two years. The other two phones were my own, which tend to get linted up because I carry them in my pocket. 

I’m also a true believer in the microfiber cloth method for wiping fingerprints and smears from screens and eyewear. I’m fanatical abound it and have microfiber wiping cloths staged pretty much everywhere I ever use an iDevice or eye/sun glasses, in my cars, at all my desks, in my backpack, in my travel toiletries bag, on coffee tables, and in sweatshirt, jacket, and suit pockets. I bought a stack of these at Sam's Club several years ago, cut them into quarters, so it’s not a big expense or space hog. I also have some Apple branded black microfiber wipers that came with an Apple device I purchased years ago, but I don’t recall which Apple devices these came with.

I do disagree that the smears and fingerprints aren’t an issue when the screen is on. I can still see the smears, even with a predominately white background, but dark screens are much worse. Perhaps this is why I find the whole notion of a touch-screen Mac so horrifying. Still waiting for Apple to implement proximity sensors that allow air touch and contactless gestures. 

osmartormenajr

I wouldn’t put that much emphasis on a case. I’ve had an iPhone 4S for 5 years. Never dropped it (it is still in my drawer, with a dead battery). My current iPhone SE is about to be 4 years old, never dropped it either. I also have an iPad 2, which will be 9 years old very soon. The iPad has scratches in its aluminum back because, over the last couple of years, I’ve started lending it to my kids.
But for people who are butterfingers, not even a bulky case will save their devices, from what I’ve seen.

flmusic

Wow, it works! Just cleaned my iPad and it looks really neat and fingerprint-free. Though, is there any specific way a MacBook should be cleaned?

aegean

dewme said:

I also have some Apple branded black microfiber wipers that came with an Apple device I purchased years ago, but I don’t recall which Apple devices these came with.

It came with my maxed out $4,000+ 2007 17-inch MacBook Pro Gone are those days. No cloth came with my iMac Pro. But now at least you can buy Apple Pro Display XDR to get a decent cleaning cloth from Apple. ;-)

BTW I have been using quality microfibre cloths with distilled water to clean everything (iPhones, Apple Watch, MacBooks, iMacs, all my electronics hi-fi gear, records, car, etc...). Anything leather, I clean it up with Meguiars, Autoglym or leather honey leather cleaners.  My Apple Watch is Hermes, so I use Autoglym metal polish, every once in a while to remove scratches, etc. 

edited February 2020

redgeminipa

I started using Norwex microfiber over 2 years ago. Fantastic products. For normal grime, the new Tech Cleaning Cloth does a great job. For tougher jobs, I use the EnviroCloth slightly damp, followed by the Window Cloth. Works fantastic, and no toxic chemicals. Just don't rub too hard with the EnviroCloth, as it could be hard on the coatings. 

charlesatlas

jt327gir said:

Or, buy a glass screen protector for your iDevices. I use a soft cloth and water. If the glass protector ever gets scratched or cracked, you can peel it off and install a fresh one. 

I do that with all of mine. Wish I could get one for my big HDTV.

dewme said:

Does Apple provide recommendations for cleaning the Lightning port? I’ve restored 3 iPhones that were thought to have faulty Lightning ports simply by (very carefully) removing the lint that had accumulated in the Lightning port.

My preferred solution is to use magnetic sync cables that I buy off eBay, basically turning the Lightning port into a Magsafe connector. $4 and it not only protects the port from dust and splashed water, it's also much more convenient. Never have to search to mate up connector and port, especially in the dark. Just put the device close to the cable end and it will snap in place by itself.

edited February 2020

shamino

iOS_Guy80 said:

Been using a micro fiber cloth for years and never have powered device off when wiping the screen. Not sure why it’s recommended to turn your device off when wiping the screen?

I assume that's so you can see when it's been cleaned.  It's pretty hard to see fingerprints while the display is lit.  Also, so your touches while cleaning the screen don't make things happen.  Of course, you can get the same effect if you just put it to sleep without a power-off.

jt327gir said:

Or, buy a glass screen protector for your iDevices. I use a soft cloth and water. If the glass protector ever gets scratched or cracked, you can peel it off and install a fresh one. 

These will definitely protect the screen, but they also undermine all of the benefits of Apple's new screen coatings.  You end up with all the same glare that you get from any other phone's screen.

dewme said:

Does Apple provide recommendations for cleaning the Lightning port? I’ve restored 3 iPhones that were thought to have faulty Lightning ports simply by (very carefully) removing the lint that had accumulated in the Lightning port. ...

I don't think Apple recommends anything.  I think any small non-metallic object should work.  I usually use the plastic toothpick tool from my pocket knife.  I think a plain flat wooden toothpick should also work.

You want to make sure to not use anything metal in there, since you might short out or damage the contacts.