Buzz
A tempered glass screen protector is a layer of glass designed to resist impacts and is often used to protect fragile surfaces such as phone screens. If the protector breaks, you can remove the damaged layer without harming the underlying surface. Tempered glass is usually attached with an adhesive that needs to be heated first for easier removal. After heating, you can slowly peel off the thin glass layer and replace it with a new one.
Steps
Peel the protector off by hand
Warm the protector with a blow dryer on low heat for 15 seconds. The heat will soften the adhesive behind the glass and make it easier to peel off. However, you should only use low heat to avoid damaging the internal components of your phone. Heat the glass until it is warm, but not too hot.
- If you don't have a blow dryer, you can use another heat source. Place your phone near a hot stove, flame, heater, or use steam from hot water to soften the adhesive.
Use your fingernail to pry at one corner of the screen protector until a portion of it lifts up. You will be able to lift a corner of the glass off the underlying surface. However, proceed slowly. Carefully lift the corner of the glass but avoid peeling the rest of it off right away.
- Continue with the remaining corners. Typically, you'll manage to peel one corner off the surface. If the other corners are still stuck, try reheating the screen protector a second time to soften the adhesive.
- If the screen protector cracks near one of the corners, select a different corner to pry at to avoid breaking the glass into small shards.
Move your finger beneath the glass. Once you've lifted the screen protector, the glass layer will separate from the surface beneath. The edges of the glass will lift first. Slide your finger under these edges to support the glass and prevent it from breaking into pieces. Even if the screen protector is already cracked, this step is essential when removing smaller fragments to avoid further shattering.
- The screen protector is very thin and can break easily. The glass will shatter into multiple pieces, and you will need to remove each shard by hand. The best way to minimize this issue is to be extra careful.
Peel the tempered glass slowly and evenly across the entire surface. Try to remove the glass as uniformly as possible. Slide your finger along the exposed edges to ensure one side isn't lifted higher than the other. Continue this process until the entire piece of glass (or any smaller fragments) is detached, then repeat the process with the remaining sections.
- Any small fragments of the tempered glass can be removed in the same manner. It may take a bit longer, but smaller pieces are easier to handle compared to larger ones.
Use a plastic card
Heat the screen protector for 15 seconds at a low temperature. Use a device like a hairdryer (if available). Heat the glass until the surface becomes warm but not too hot. This will soften the adhesive holding the glass in place.
- While you could warm the screen protector by holding it near a matchstick or lighter, there’s a risk the entire glass won’t reach the proper temperature, and it could even damage the internal components of the device. It's safer to try warming just one corner of the glass to make it easier to pry up.
Use the pointed end of a toothpick to pry up a corner of the tempered glass film. It's important to hold the toothpick in the correct orientation to avoid scratching the surface underneath the glass. Choose a corner and position the toothpick horizontally against the glass. Gently slide the sharp end underneath the glass and lift it up until you can insert your finger into the gap.
- Avoid pointing the toothpick downwards. If you're removing a screen protector from your phone, the sharp end could scratch the screen below.
- If you don't have a toothpick, any sharp object like a fork or your fingernail can work.
Lift the edge of the glass with your finger. Be cautious, especially if the tempered glass is already cracked. The glass is quite thin and can easily break into tiny shards. To remove the protector, slide your finger around the outer edge of the glass. Lift it just enough to slide a credit card or ATM card underneath.
- This method works whether the glass is intact or broken, but avoid pulling too much from one side. Lift the pieces evenly to prevent cracking or breaking into more pieces.
Slide a credit card underneath the glass to separate it. Insert the card under the corner of the glass where you've pried it up. Gently push the card in to separate the tempered glass from the underlying surface. Lift the glass evenly until you can fully remove it, and repeat with any remaining pieces (if there are any).
- Be sure to use a rigid plastic card, such as an ATM card, library card, or ID card.
- Typically, you can use the plastic card to detach the entire piece of glass. If the protector is larger than the card, like on an iPad, you can use your finger to help evenly lift the glass.
Removing glass with tape
Heat the tempered glass for 15 seconds until the adhesive softens. A hairdryer on low or a similar heat source will work as a safe and effective option. Remember, the glass should be warm to the touch, but not too hot to burn you. The temperature should be just enough to feel warm without causing discomfort when you touch it.
Wrap a piece of tape around your two fingers. Tape has many different uses, so it's no surprise that it can help remove a stubborn screen protector. Begin by tightly wrapping the tape around your fingers with the sticky side facing outward.
- The most comfortable way to do this is with your index and middle fingers, but feel free to use other fingers if it feels more comfortable for you.
Press the tape onto a corner of the glass. Choose any corner to start with, as long as there are no cracks nearby. For broken glass pieces, select the edge where the tape can reach. Continue pressing down until the adhesive of the screen protector sticks to the tape.
- If you're unable to stick the tape to a corner, try a different one. Sometimes the corner might be too tough because the adhesive underneath hasn't softened enough.
- If you can't lift the corner of the protector, reheat the glass. Focus the heat on a corner to ensure the adhesive softens enough for removal.
Slowly roll the tape towards the other end of the screen protector. Lift your fingers and move towards the other side of the protector. The glass will come off along with your fingers. Be careful to lift the protector evenly so that it detaches smoothly from the surface underneath. After removing one piece of glass, use the tape to continue with the remaining parts.
- Sometimes the glass may break into smaller pieces if one side is removed before the other. This will leave small shards, which can later be removed by hand or with more tape.
Tips
- Consider replacing the screen protector after removing the old one. You can purchase a new protector to safeguard your screen from scratches and other hidden damage.
- Always heat the glass beforehand if possible. The hardened adhesive underneath the screen protector sticks firmly and can make removal difficult without preheating.
- The screen protector is fragile when removed from the surface. While broken glass isn't a major issue, dealing with small pieces can be tedious. Try to lift the glass evenly to minimize cracks and breakage.
- After removing the screen protector, inspect the surface underneath to ensure you haven't missed anything. Clean the surface with a damp microfiber cloth and prepare to apply a new protector.
Things You Will Need
Removing the protector by hand
- Hairdryer or an alternative heat source
Using a plastic card
- Hairdryer or an alternative heat source
- Toothpick
- Plastic card (ATM card, credit card, ID card, etc.)
Removing glass with tape
- Hairdryer or an alternative heat source
- Adhesive tape
