How to properly clean any iPhone model without damaging your device
It’s easy to clean your iPhone to keep it free of dust, dirt, and buildup.
When you clean your iPhone, you should only use a cloth dampened with water and lint-free.
Avoid cleaning your iPhone with chemical products — including soap and baby wipes — as they may damage the screen or case.
Keeping your iPhone clean also means cleaning it immediately after it comes into contact with harmful elements such as liquids, dirt, dust, grease, or chemicals.
Your iPhone is probably not your cleanest possession. In and out of your purse or pocket, set down on tables and desks all over town, constantly handled by you and likely by others — our smartphones are constantly exposed to germs, dust, and dirt. And that’s not even considering that cup of coffee, a glass of water, beer, or other beverage just waiting to spill, or the condiments waiting to drip on it.
Periodically cleaning your phone is a good idea both from a health standpoint and an appearance standpoint (it’s nice to have a phone that doesn’t look… soiled). And if you spill something on your phone, cleaning it soon is critical to ensure it keeps working properly.
While all iPhone models from the 7 forward are water- and dust-resistant, they can still be damaged by liquids and little particles, especially because the seal at the port where the lightning cable connects wears down over time.
How to clean an iPhone 7 or later
To clean your iPhone, use a soft, lint-free cloth (a clean t-shirt will do in a pinch) slightly moistened with water, and that’s it. No glass cleaner, baby wipes, soap, or anything. If you feel you must disinfect the phone, use a solution of 50:50 water and isopropyl alcohol, and apply it lightly using the dampened cloth.
1. Remove your phone case.
2. Turn the phone off and disconnect any attached cables.
3. Gently moisten your lint-free cloth with water.
4. Wipe lightly at the phone, applying minimal pressure.
5. Dry the phone with another clean cloth as soon as you are done.
How to clean an iPhone 6 or earlier
If you have an older, non-water-resistant iPhone, take extra care around the additional port where headphones attach — and keep excess moisture away from them if at all possible, cleaning with a relatively dry cloth. Otherwise, follow the instructions above. On older models, you can use a small amount of rubbing alcohol around the tray where your SIM card is inserted. And that trusty, lint-free cloth, of course.
