How to Fix a Scratched Screen

May 25, 2015/Prior Staff Writers

We understand that accidents happen. Maybe your beloved phone took a tumble onto a hard surface or perhaps you slid it into a pocket full of keys and change without thinking. Well, either way your phone screen now has all kinds of scratches on it, right? While there are dozens of different tips and tricks out there to fix a scratched screen, there are a few things you ought to know before trying something like this:
  • If the scratch is deep, you’re out of luck
  • Many of these methods are really only going to provide cosmetic improvements–the scratches are still going to be there, just hopefully less noticeable.
  • Most of these methods involve abrasives which will be basically sanding off the top layer of the phone screen. This means that the protective coating that helps prevent fingerprints and protects the phone will be gone. AKA, you need to get a screen protector pronto!
  • Some things simply cannot be fixed, and you may have to live with it or buy a new screen.
Now, as a note, these methods may work differently on different screens so try at your own risk! Before trying any of these, be sure to clean the screen thoroughly and remove your case as well. So, without further ado, here are three methods that I have found for fixing a scratched screen:
  1. Toothpaste – This is the method I’ve had mild success with in the past. The toothpaste must not be gel-based, and mostly offers a cosmetic fix, but still is probably the least damaging.
  2. Scratch Remover – did you know they make this for phones? Yep, and I hear it works well if you follow the instructions although I haven’t tried it myself. Be sure to use the kind meant for phones. Some sites suggest using car wax, but I wouldn’t recommend that.
  3. Magic Eraser – this is literally going to sand away scratches which means it ought to be used sparingly and only if you have a screen protector on hand to immediately cover the screen.
Once you have used whichever method you prefer, I highly recommend having a screen protector on your device! Do you know any other methods that have worked to remove scratches? Let me know in the comments!!]]>

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