How to Remove a Screen Protector

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You put a screen protector on your phone because you’re a smart cookie and you wanted to protect it from dings, drops, dents and the dreaded shattered screen. Good for you! But occasionally you’re going to want to remove it in order to replace it, clean your phone or get it ready to sell. But is it possible? We’re here to tell you the answer is most likely!

Types of Screen Protectors

Phone cases come in a wide variety of styles and options, with hard plastic styles, tempered glass styles and — our personal favorite — liquid styles. Whether or not your screen protector can be removed depends on what kind it is. Most plastic and tempered glass protectors are removable, while liquid ones are not because they get embedded into your screen. In other words, there’s essentially nothing to remove.

Our cutting-edge liquid screen protector stands out from the competition because it’s made entirely of eco-friendly materials and reduces plastic waste. It works by coating your screen in a thin, protective layer of liquid which evaporates and gets embedded into the glass forever. There is no way to remove your Pela screen protector, but you won’t even notice that it’s there since the liquid will essentially fully absorb into the screen.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Your Screen Protector

If you have a plastic or tempered glass protector, you will be able to remove it as needed. Just be aware that removing the protector generally renders it useless because it removes the adhesive and makes it less sticky. However, if you have a backup ready to swap in, you can carefully remove the protector using the following method.

• Remove your phone case. The first step in the process is removing your phone case. This will ensure that you have access to all edges of the screen protector so you can remove it cleanly and in one piece. Read our guide on how to take off a phone case to make sure you complete this step properly.
• Use a small object to pry up at the corners. Insert a credit card or toothpick beneath the screen protector at the corners. Make sure to avoid anything sharp or abrasive, which could scratch your screen or the edges of your phone. Gently pry the protector up, lifting as you go. You want to make sure you lift the whole protector up at once to avoid any sharp edges or shards.
• Clean your phone. Without a screen protector, you can perform a good deep clean and make sure you get off all the smudges and fingerprints on the screen. Take this opportunity to clean out cracks, crevices and ports as well. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use safe cleaning solutions.
• Recycle the waste. Depending on what kind of materials were used for your screen protector, you may be able to recycle them so they don’t wind up in a landfill indefinitely. Check with your local sanitation department to see which materials can be recycled. 

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Switch to a Liquid Phone Screen Protector

Don’t want to mess with complex installation and removal (not to mention the annoying air bubbles) involved with standard screen protectors? Make the switch to a liquid screen protector today! Not only are Pela’s screen protectors easy to put on, they’re also entirely eco-friendly so you can protect your expensive tech investment without putting extra strain on Planet Earth.