Clean Your iPhone Camera Lens

The lens on your iPhone's camera can easily get dusty and stained with fingerprints. Luckily, basic cleaning is easily. Compressed air can be used to remove dust and fingerprints and set-in stains can be wiped off with microfiber cloths. In some cases, dust may get trapped under the camera lens. You should see an Apple technician to fix this problem, as opening your phone on your own can damage it.

Steps

Cleaning Off Dust

  1. Buy compressed air without chemical additives. You can purchase compressed air at most department stores or hardware stores. Choose products that use only air and do not include chemicals. Products like Dust Off and Blow Away work well.[1]
  2. Dispense the compressed air onto the lens. An iPhone screen is fairly well protected, but you do not want to risk breaking it. Compressed air can be strong. When you blow the air onto your iPhone's camera lens, hold the nozzle at least a foot away from your screen. Dispense compressed air until any dirt has cleared from the screen.[1]
  3. See an Apple technician for dust trapped inside the camera. In some cases, compressed air will not remove dust from the lens. You can try to wipe it off with a microfiber cloth, but if it still does not come off there is a good chance the dust is trapped below the camera lens. In this case, see an Apple technician. Find a local Apple store in your area and make an appointment.[2]
    • A qualified technician can open up your iPhone and clean the screen from the inside. Do not attempt to disassemble your iPhone on your own unless you have extensive experience working with Apple products. Taking your phone apart on your own could damage the phone and may void the warranty.
    • Apple technicians may fix the phone for free if you're still under warranty.

Removing Fingerprints and Stains

  1. Opt for microfiber cloths. If there are fingerprints or other stains on your phone's screen, use microfiber cloths to clean them. You can purchase microfiber cloths at most drug stores or department stores. The texture of these cloths can easily remove fingerprints and stains.[3]
    • Do not substitute soft tissues like Kleenex. These can break during the cleaning process and stick onto the lens.[1]
  2. Wipe down the lens gently. Take the microfiber cloth out of its package. Very gently swab the surface of your iPhone's camera lens. Wipe your lens down as long as necessary to remove unwanted stains and fingerprints.[3]
  3. Do not use chemical cleaning products on your iPhone screen. It is not necessary to use cleaning products on your iPhone's screen to remove stains. In fact, cleaning products could potentially damage the iPhone screen. Stick to dry microfiber cloths without added water or products to clean your iPhone.[4]

Maintaining a Clean Screen

  1. Set your phone down with the camera facing upwards. Each time you set your phone down, keep the camera lens facing upward. This will prevent the lens from coming into contact with contaminants from surfaces like counters and tables.[3]
  2. Store your item in safe places in your bag or pocket. When you store your phone in your pocket or bag, make sure you keep it away from hazardous objects. Ideally, your phone should be stored alone in your pocket or in its own compartment in your purse or bag. Keep it away from abrasive items, like keys, that could scratch the camera lens.[3]
  3. Invest in an iPhone case. An iPhone case can help protect both your iPhone's screen and camera lens from damage. The Otterbox is the strongest protective case, but the EyePatch case has a movable cover for the camera lens. If you use your camera frequently, the EyePatch may be worth the investment to protect your lens.[3]
    • The one downside to cases is that they can be a little pricey. You can see if you can find one secondhand on sites like eBay or Craigslist.
  4. Store your phone in clean areas. When you set your phone down in your home, keep it in clean areas. Store your phone on clean surfaces to avoid contaminants that could dirty the camera lens. For instance, avoid setting your phone down in the bathroom or on a dirty kitchen counter.[3]

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://lifeinlofi.com/2015/12/02/how-to-clean-your-iphone-camera-lens/
  2. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/2044721/bugs-and-fixes-resolving-an-iphone-camera-dust-up.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Protect-an-iPhone-Camera-Lens-/10000000205355212/g.html
  4. ↑ http://www.padandquill.com/blog/2016/04/01/how-to-clean-iphone/
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