After spending a tidy sum to buy yourself the latest smartphone, chances are you want to keep it in pristine condition for as long as you can. The best way to protect your smartphone from common damages, like a broken screen, is by adding an extra layer of protection using protective accessories. For example, a phone case and a screen protector. However, installing a screen protector on your smartphone may come with its fair share of challenges. The most common problem encountered when installing a screen protector is the presence of air bubbles. The air bubbles, which mostly appear in between your phone’s screen and the glass protector after installation, are aesthetically unpleasing, plus they can obscure display and touch sensitivity. This article provides some helpful tips on how to get bubbles out of a screen protector.
Why Do Bubbles Form?
Screen protectors are an important accessory when it comes to protecting your smartphone’s screen from scratches. Their application methods may differ since they come in different shapes and sizes and serve varying functions.
The primary source of bubbles beneath your screen protector is a void in the adhesive surface that sticks the screen protector onto your smartphone. The void can form at any stage, from installation to usage. Bubbles formed during installation are caused by improper installation — dust may have accumulated on the screen, or the screen was not placed correctly. Oily fingerprints on the glass or screen can also prevent a complete seal.
The other cause of air bubbles beneath your screen is wear and tear—habits like pressing the screen too hard when chatting can cause the protector to shift, creating bubbles.
How to Remove the Bubbles
Method 1: Reapplying the Screen Protector
Removing air bubbles from a screen protector is not an easy task, especially if they are in the middle. The only way you can remove air bubbles from the middle of a screen is by taking off the screen protector and reapplying it. Since most screen protectors can be reapplied multiple times, there is no risk in removing and installing the screen protector again, provided you follow the correct procedure. Below are the steps to follow, please only try at your own risk.
Step 1: Lift One Corner of the Screen with a Sharp Thin Object or Credit Card
Carefully slide one corner or a credit card or a razor blade underneath one corner of the screen protector. If you are using a razor blade, ensure that the blade is horizontal to avoid damaging your phone’s screen or the protector. Once you have lifted one corner, you should proceed to pry the protector away from the phone’s screen. Don’t bend or lift the screen Protector as it can break or shatter.
Step 2: Clean and Dry the Screen with a Clean Cloth
One common cause of bubbles beneath a phone protector is the failure to wipe the dust and lint on the screen before applying it. Therefore, it is important to clean and dry the screen protector before installing it on your screen. Dampen a microfiber cloth with alcohol and wipe it across your phone’s screen. Some protectors come with alcohol pads for easier cleaning, or you can use the screen wipes available at electronic stores. After removing the dirt, use a dry cloth to dry the screen.
Also, since dust, dirt and grease on your hands can transfer to the protector or the screen, you should ensure that your hands are clean and the environment is dust-free when cleaning the screen.
Step 3: Use Scotch Tape to remove any Excess Dust
Place a strip of scotch tape across your phone’s screen and press it down so it adheres. Slowly remove the tape to pick up the remaining pieces of dust or lint off the screen. Repeat the process across the screen, slightly overlapping the cleaned area to ensure no space is left out. You can also cover the whole screen area with strips of Scotch tape if you want to remove the dust and dirt at once.
Step 4: Re-apply the Screen Protector
Line up the edges of the screen protector with those of the device to ensure that it is correctly placed. Once you are satisfied with the protector’s position, place one edge against the screen and press it down in place. The protector’s adhesive will start sticking to the screen. Don’t touch the adhesive side of the protector to avoid fingerprints on the screen.
Step 5: Gently Rub a Credit Card across the Surface of the Screen Protector
Once all areas of the protector adhere to the screen, gently use a credit card’s edge to press the protector against the screen. Start carefully from the centre to the outer edges to move the bubbles outward with a light touch. Repeat the procedure across the screen until all the bubbles are out.
Method 2: Removing Air Bubbles around the Edges with Oil
Step 1: Wet a Cotton Swab With Cooking Oil
Pour one tablespoon of cooking oil (olive oil or vegetable oil) into a small dish and dip a cotton swab into it. Ensure that the cotton swab only gets a thin layer of oil, not so much that it is dripping.
Step 2: Use the Cotton swab to apply the Oil along the Edges with Air Bubbles
Remove any excess oil from the swab and rub it along the protector’s edges. Allow the oil to get underneath the screen protector and smooth out the air bubbles. If the air bubbles do not disappear after applying the oil, lift the edges of the screen protector with a razor blade to allow oil to get underneath.
Step 3: Press the Screen Protector back down and Wipe off the Oil
Once you have removed all the bubbles from the screen protector, use your fingers or the edge of a credit card to gently squeeze it tight against the screen so that it adheres firmly. Use a piece of tissue paper to wipe off any extra oil around the edges of the screen protector.
