How to Clean Your iPhone

Key Takeaways

• Use Gentle Materials: Stick to lint-free microfiber cloths and wooden toothpicks to avoid scratching or damaging internal components or the oleophobic coating.
• Safe Disinfectants: Apple officially approves 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on exterior surfaces - never use bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or aerosol sprays directly on the device.
• Power Down First: Always unplug and turn off your iPhone before starting the cleaning process to prevent electrical issues.
• Avoid Excess Liquid: Use a lightly dampened cloth rather than excess liquid to prevent moisture from entering openings - liquid damage is not covered under Apple’s warranty or AppleCare.
• Allow Cables to Dry: If you clean any cables, Apple advises letting them dry overnight before using them again.

There are dozens of ways to clean your iPhone, but not all of them are safe or helpful. Many sites recommend harsh chemicals like bleach or hydrogen peroxide, but Apple explicitly warns against these, as they can damage your device. It’s also worth knowing that your iPhone has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating on the screen - abrasive materials and harsh cleaning products can wear this coating down over time. Use the easy list and steps below to gently clean and sanitize your iPhone using Apple-approved methods.

What you’ll need to clean your iPhone

To get started, you’ll need the following supplies to clean your iPhone. Most of these items are common household supplies.

A few things to keep in mind before you start:

• Apple explicitly advises against using any products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, as these can damage your device.
• Your iPhone has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating on the screen. Abrasive materials and harsh cleaning products will wear this coating down over time.
• If any cables get wet during cleaning, Apple recommends allowing them to dry overnight before plugging them back in.
• Be aware that liquid damage is not covered under Apple’s standard warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, so always apply liquids to your cloth rather than directly onto the device. If you’re concerned about exposure, learn more about iPhone water damage repair costs and how water damage can affect your phone’s resale value.

How to clean your iPhone

With these supplies grabbed, follow these steps to clean your iPhone.

Step 1: Unplug and power down

Before tackling any cleaning, make sure that your iPhone is powered down and not plugged in to any accessories or charging cords.

Step 2: Gently wipe your iPhone

Before any cleaning agents touch your iPhone, give the screen a once-over with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free lens cloth. Remember that iPhones have a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating on the screen, and abrasive materials or harsh cleaning products can diminish this coating over time and might scratch your device.

Step 3: Wipe your iPhone with mild soapy water

Dampen the same lint-free cloth you used in Step 2 with a very small amount of soapy warm water. Make sure that you stay away from moisture in any openings like the speaker grills or charging port. Don’t get carried away with this step to stay away from too much water. A few gentle wipes with the damp cloth can help remove any stubborn smudges you might still see on your iPhone.

Step 4: Sanitize with 70% isopropyl alcohol

Next, it’s time to disinfect. Apple officially approves a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. You don’t need a few wipes - one will do. Do not use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, as Apple explicitly warns against these. Gently wipe down your iPhone’s front, back, and sides, then follow with a dry lint-free cloth.

Step 5: Clean your iPhone’s ports

The final step involves using a wooden toothpick to give your iPhone’s USB-C charging port a gentle cleaning. Take your time and go slow on the charging port, SIM tray opening, and any other openings to stay away from unnecessary damage. It’s also worth mentioning that if any cables or accessories got damp during cleaning, Apple advises allowing them to dry overnight before use. Remember that liquid damage is not covered under Apple’s product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, so take care to keep moisture away from all openings throughout this process.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning your iPhone

Can I use aerosol sprays for cleaning my iPhone?

Apple specifically advises against aerosol sprays, compressed air, or any cleaner applied directly to the phone; it’s why the best option is to use a slightly damp lint-free cloth instead. Remember that liquid damage is not covered under the Apple product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, so it’s worth being careful about how much moisture you use.

Can I use household cleaners to clean my iPhone?

For light cleaning, you can use a slightly damp lint-free cloth with plain water. For disinfecting, Apple officially approves 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior surfaces. Do not use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, and never spray any liquid directly onto the device. Also know that cleaning products and abrasive materials can diminish the fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on your iPhone’s screen over time.

How do I clean up junk files on my iPhone so it runs faster?

• Check storage: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see what’s taking up space.
• Offload unused apps: Use the “Offload App” option to remove apps you don’t use while keeping documents and data.
• Delete large attachments: Review Messages and remove large attachments from conversations you no longer need.
• Clear downloaded media: Remove offline downloads in streaming apps (music, podcasts, video) you’re no longer using.
• Review photos and videos: Delete duplicates, old screen recordings, and large videos, then empty Recently Deleted.
• Clear the cache on your phone to remove temporary files and further improve performance.

Is it safe to use alcohol wipes on my iPhone screen?

Yes, Apple officially approves 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. However, stay away from bleach or hydrogen peroxide, and never spray any liquid directly onto the screen or openings. Remember that repeated use of cleaning products can slowly wear down the oleophobic coating on your screen, which is responsible for repelling fingerprints and oils. When cleaning your phone, use the gentlest effective option. You may also want to consider keeping a screen protector clean as an added layer of defense.

My iPhone screen has scratches. Can I buff them out?

It is not recommended to buff out scratches on your iPhone’s glass surface. Abrasive materials can further damage the oleophobic coating and might deepen the scratches. If the damage is significant or scratches are turning into cracks, you might want to look into a screen replacement - it’s also worth thinking about upgrading to a refurbished iPhone. You could pay the same amount or less than a screen repair while getting a fully functional device.

Declutter and clean this spring with ecoATM

If you found old phones during spring cleaning that are past an easy cleaning, ecoATM has a convenient answer. You can bring them to your local ecoATM kiosk to get instant cash while they’re recycled or reused.

With over 5,000 kiosk locations in places you already shop, ecoATM makes it convenient to sell or recycle old phones found during spring cleaning. You can even price your device online ahead of your visit to the kiosk. Simply bring your old devices and a valid state ID to your neighborhood ecoATM to earn instant cash and do right by the planet!

Learn more about our work for the planet, or find an ecoATM kiosk near you to get started!