How to Fix Dings and Scratches on Phone

iPhones hit the ground running in 2008, although development started in 2005. The first model of iPhones was called the iPhone 2G or iPhone 1 and while not everyone had a smartphone back then, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t own a smartphone today.

While Androids own most of the smartphone market share, iPhone owners tend to be diehard fans and wouldn’t trade their device for anything in the world. Touchscreens are now a part of everyday life, and because we use our iPhones so much, it’s so easy to scratch their displays. This article is about how to fix mild scratches on your screen without going to the repair shop and paying for iPhone screen repair.

If you have shattered your display to pieces, or have a severe scratch on the screen, you’ll probably have to head to the Apple Store and get your screen removed and replaced. iPhone screens are made of three components: the LCD, the digitizer, and the glass overlay that sits on top of these bottom layers.

If you have done serious damage to your iPhone screen, you will likely have to have all of the screen components removed and replaced by all-new screen parts. Luckily, if you just have a mild or even moderate scratch or ding on your iPhone screen, there are some home remedies you can try that you won’t have to pay for.

Using Toothpaste

Your toothpaste (non-gel) is already abrasive, so using this household item can fix scratches on your iPhone display the same way it will clean your teeth. If you’d like, you can use a baking soda paste instead, which is abrasive like a non-gel toothpaste.

Apply toothpaste to an applicator

The applicator can be a q-tip, paper towel, toothbrush, or soft flannel cloth – it really doesn’t matter. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the applicator to avoid creating a mess of toothpaste or baking soda paste on your iPhone display.

Buff the scratch with the toothpaste or baking soda paste

Now you will apply your toothpaste or baking soda mix to the scratch on your iPhone. If you rub it around gently in a circular motion, you can continue this until the scratch is no longer noticeable. Now you don’t have to go out and get iPhone repair.

Don’t apply too much pressure, because baking soda paste and toothpaste are already abrasive. Continue to gently scrub in a circular motion until you see the scratch slowly disappear.

Clean your iPhone

When you have buffed the scratch away, clean off the toothpaste or baking soda mix. Dip a soft piece of cloth in water and wipe away the remaining toothpaste. Make sure the cloth isn’t soaking wet or you will damage your iPhone with water. After you have done this, take an alcohol wipe and wipe away any grime or oil that is hanging around on your phone. If you are lucky, your phone will look even better before than you scratched your phone.

Now that you have successfully fixed any small dings and scratches on your iPhone display, go out and purchase a screen protector. Although iPhones have come a long way, they’ve also become more prone to scratches as technology advances.

It’s always better to prevent scratches than deal with them after the fact, and a screen protector won’t break the bank. You can find them online and in many stores – they’re thin plastic overlays you apply to your iPhone screen.

If you’re really interested in protecting your phone, look into tempered glass protectors – these are practically invincible and add durability, a more comfortable feel, and more visibility into your display.

Don’t forget to maintain your phone by wiping your screen once a week with an alcohol wipe designed to clean phones. Dings and scratches happen when you leave extra gunk and debris on your screen. You can also wipe your iPhone clean with a silk cloth or a microfiber cloth a couple of times a day to keep your iPhone in tip-top shape.

Even if you have to resort to a shirt sleeve or dishcloth, this is better than not wiping your screen at all, but really, you’ll want to use microfiber or a phone wiping cloth to maintain your screen.

To prevent the need for iPhone screen repair in the future, you might also want to purchase a protective case. These plastic cases will fit snugly over your iPhone and are sold in a variety of colors and designs in stores and online. Remember, your iPhone only has to fall to the floor once in the wrong way to shatter the display. Investing in protective material and cleaning your screen every day will give you a much-needed defense against broken iPhone displays.