Besides a fast-draining battery, nothing spoils a smartphone user experience more than scratches on the screen.
At first, you notice fine lines on your screen. Then, with time, deeper grooves form!
They may initially be bearable, but even touching the screen becomes a cringe-inducing experience over time.
While you’ll need to replace a cracked screen, replacing a scratched screen can provide less of an ROI as it’s generally quite costly.
The cost of an iPhone 13 Pro Max screen replacement, for example, will make you question whether you even need a smartphone!
You may then wonder, then: “Will a screen protector hide scratches?”
After all, it seems like it could be a cheap yet effective solution to the problem. The answer is that effective methods to deal with scratches on your phone screen will depend on their depth and extent.
So, yes, screen protectors can help, but only if the scratches are not too deep. Keep reading to find out more ways you can hide scratches on your phone screen!
How Do You Hide Scratches on a Screen?
There are several ways to hide scratches on your phone’s screen.
No matter which approach you take, make sure that you turn off your phone first and avoid spilling any liquid onto the phone.
With each of these fixes, it’s important to apply them precisely!
Toothpaste
The viral toothpaste method is a common solution to hiding scratches and can be seen all across the internet.
Toothpaste is cheap and readily available, but unfortunately, this is not a lasting solution.
Using toothpaste will leave a squeaky clean screen, but scratches will still show. However, it is more effective if you apply it to a plastic screen protector instead rather than the screen itself.
Magic Eraser
Magic erasers have proven to be effective in getting rid of fine scratches on phone screens.
While deeper scratches will still show, the magic eraser method is more effective than toothpaste.
Baking Soda
Another common solution online is a baking soda and water mixture. It’s been proven to be as effective a solution as toothpaste!
Baking soda works well on plastic screen protectors and cases but not on glass protectors. It does an excellent job of cleaning the screen, though.
Car Polishes
Since car polish removes scratches on vehicles, you might think that it will handle scratches on phone screens too!
As it turns out, car polish does remove fine scratches on phone screens. So give it a try, since it can be an effective solution.
Third-Party Repair Kits
There are repair kits online that can help you get rid of some of the scratches on your screen.
These are more effective than all other DIY solutions discussed thus far. While it will cost you a bit more, it won’t be as expensive as a screen replacement.
Will a Glass Screen Protector Hide Scratches?
Ideally, you’ll know to apply a glass screen protector before turning on the phone for the first time.
A tempered glass protector will behave pretty much the same as the screen underneath but remains removable in case of scratches.
However, if you skipped this step, you can still apply the glass protector later on! Fine scratches will stay out of view, but you’ll still see deeper grooves.
Tempered Glass
In addition to protecting your screen, a glass screen protector will also make using the screen more comfortable.
The best option is a tempered glass screen protector that is fingerprint and smudge resistant with rounded edges.
Ensure you buy one designed specifically for your phone and which covers the entire front face. You shouldn’t need to worry about the sensors embedded in the screen, as the best tempered glass screen protectors allow those sensors to function as normal.
Best of all, tempered glass screen protectors can save you from the costly process of having to replace a scratched or cracked screen!
With a responsive and comfortable screen protector in place, you can afford to bide a few months as you save up for a replacement.
Substandard Replacement Parts
A glass screen protector may be your best option if you have a phone that is rare in your region.
Some phone manufacturers may not have retail outlets in your area where you can easily buy replacement parts.
Third-party parts manufacturers may stock substandard replacement screens, so you’re definitely better off using a glass screen protector as you search for original parts.
Can You Put a Screen Protector Over Scratches?
You can put a screen protector over scratches, depending on the depth of the scratches and personal preference.
Fine lines don’t interfere much with the clean look of the phone, but they can also act as a prompt for you to take action. It’s a good idea to install a glass protector before the screen suffers any more damage!
As the lines get deeper, you have to decide whether you can live with them or not.
If the cost of a screen replacement is affordable, you should get one. Just make sure that it’s an original replacement screen!
Usually, the more expensive and exclusive the smartphone, the more expensive the screen replacement. Personal preference, therefore, kicks in in regard to deciding whether it’s worth it.
A good screen protector will improve user experience and hide all fine to moderate scratches in most instances.
Deeper Groves
For deeper grooves – those that you can’t quite call scratches anymore – your best bet is a screen replacement.
If you can cover the cost, you’ll be able to avoid cutting your fingers on those grooves or further damaging your phone.
However, a screen protector is not entirely useless in this case. Putting one on may mean that you can prolong for several days or weeks before buying the replacement screen.
Use a screen protector to keep your fingers safe and prevent liquid and debris from getting into the phone until then!
Can You Fix Small Scratches on Phone Screens?
You can fix minor scratches as long as you find the right solution. Some solutions are temporary and will help while you contemplate your next move.
Often, these solutions are meant to stop the scratches from getting deeper so you can keep the original screen. Examples of such fixes include using toothpaste, car polish, and applying a screen protector.
A longer-lasting solution involves using a scratch remover. A scratch remover works when you apply a small amount to the scratched screen and then gently polish it.
You’ll need to first clean the surface before applying the gel. After polishing, check to see if the scratches are gone. If some are still there, repeat the process until the phone is scratch-free!
It’s essential to install a screen protector afterward; you don’t want to constantly repeat this process as it wears off the glass surface of your phone’s screen.
A screen protector can still serve as a lasting solution to tiny, fine scratches.
You may not have applied the screen protector when you first unboxed your new phone, but if you apply one a few days after you lightly scratch your screen, you won’t need to remove those extra fine scratches.
The screen protector will hide them well enough! Additionally, any attempt to remove those fine scratches can potentially further damage the screen.
How Do I Remove Deep Scratches From My Screen?
Deep scratches are trickier to remove. Most scratch remover solutions work only on finer scratches.
Attempting to remove deep scratches is risky since you could further damage your phone’s screen.
So, you can do one of two things:
Firstly, you can install a screen protector to keep your fingers safe and prevent further damage to the phone.
Secondly, you can replace the screen entirely. A screen protector is again highly recommended as you wait for the replacement screen.
Robust Protection
There are several types of screen protectors on the market. The most common ones are plastic and glass.
Plastic screen films offer a good amount of protection but don’t look as good as glass.
When new, you may think there isn’t any screen protection stuck on your phone. Over time, however, they tend to show more scratches than glass, thus spoiling the clean look of your phone.
They also easily discolor due to humidity, environmental chemicals, and temperature changes.
You’ll have seen fine whitish spots on smartphone screens before, indicating this kind of discoloration! Plastic screen protectors are prone to fine scratches, but nevertheless resist deeper grooves well.
Glass screen protectors retain the premium look of your smartphone much longer than plastic.
However, they cost more and are slightly thicker. You can’t miss a glass screen protector’s presence once you install one. These screens offer better protection against deeper scratches while resisting discoloration.
Phone Cases
Premium smartphones come with glass backs and metal frames. These days, even mid-range phones have similar builds!
Therefore, you should consider protecting not just the phone screen but also its glass back.
Phone cases are ideal for protecting the phone’s back and metal frame. They also protrude slightly to the front – enough to shield the front screen from cracking when dropped.
The best third-party accessory manufacturers nowadays pair screen protectors with phone cases. Therefore, you can quickly and conveniently shop for this combined protection for your specific phone’s make and model!
They often also enhance the look of your phone, with diverse choices of materials and colors. You’ll find phone cases made of premium leather, silicon, hard rubber, carbon fiber, and other unique materials.
It’s always advisable to shop for a shock-absorbing phone case and shatter-proof screen protector – regardless of the aesthetic appeal.
In Conclusion
It’s best to apply a screen protector immediately when you unbox your new phone.
With the screen protector in place, any scratches will be incurred on the protector rather than the screen itself, which you can easily replace.
If you didn’t install it when you got the phone, you need to do so now! A screen protector will prevent any further scratches or damage to the phone.
Additionally, it will bring back the smooth touch experience and even enhance the phone’s appearance.
So, will a screen protector hide scratches? Yes, a screen protector will hide scratches as long as they are not too deep. It is also a necessary buffer against the common causes of scratches, like coins in your pocket and particles on tables.
Finally, think about investing in a case alongside the screen protector. With glass backs and metal frames on phones becoming commonplace, you need all-around protection for your phone.