We all love our phones and are probably more addicted to them than we realize. Did you know the average person unlocks their phone around 100-150 times a day and taps the screen over 2,600 times daily? We use these little pocket computers for everything, which is why your oleophobic coating is slowly but surely getting destroyed.
## What Is the Oleophobic Coating on Phone Screens?
Given how much you interact with your phone’s screen throughout the day, it’s bound to start showing signs of wear. So, what is this secret coating I’m talking about? It’s called an **oleophobic coating**, something you may or may not have heard of before.
The oleophobic coating is a durable polymer layer designed to help repel fingerprint oils and smudges on your screen. It’s how your phone display can look clean most of the time, even after constant tapping. This coating prevents oils from sticking to the screen. The word “oleophobic” literally means “oil” and “fear” — it’s afraid of oil!
Most smartphones these days come with this special coating. Without it, our phones would look grimy, collect dirt and dust more easily, and interacting with their sleek screens wouldn’t be as enjoyable.
If you’ve noticed that your phone’s screen is always dirty, greasy, and no longer as clean and smooth as when you first bought it, this is why. It’s the oleophobic coating slowly disappearing. In fact, that’s usually the first indicator that your coating is wearing away or has deteriorated over time.
## Excessively Cleaning Your Screen Could Make Things Worse
I’m a bit of a clean freak and constantly clean the screen on my phone—whether using my T-shirt to rub away fingerprints or buying little “screen cleaning” kits on Amazon. Well, I was, until I realized that *I’m actually the problem*.
Constantly cleaning the screen of my old Galaxy S21 Ultra ruined the oleophobic coating in less than a year of ownership. After that, it was constantly dirty and greasy.
There are several ways to keep your screen smooth and clean, but excessively cleaning your phone’s display, especially with harsh chemicals, won’t do you any favors.
Years ago, we went down a rabbit hole exploring whether cleaning a phone’s display would damage this special coating. Interestingly, Apple’s official advice suggests using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to clean the **exterior surfaces** of the phone—but it doesn’t specifically mention the screen.
Samsung recommends something similar, but again, their support pages don’t mention the screen itself or the oleophobic coating.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to use Clorox wipes on my expensive flagship smartphone.
Since then, I’ve learned to avoid the habit of constantly cleaning my display multiple times a day. Instead, I do it occasionally when the screen looks particularly dirty, using a microfiber cloth. If it’s really dirty, a drop of water is usually enough to clean it.
That said, it’s a hard habit to break. I still find myself wiping the screen with my shirt almost daily, which I’m sure is slowly destroying the oleophobic coating. Are you doing it too?
## Screen Protectors and Restoring the Oleophobic Coating
Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this problem.
The first and most common solution is to get a **screen protector**. You’ll never ruin the oleophobic coating if it’s always covered by a screen protector—many of which have a similar oleophobic coating themselves.
Once that coating starts to disappear and your phone looks grimy, simply replace your cheap tempered glass screen protector. The new one will feel fresh, clean, and smooth again.
If you’re reading this too late and you’ve cleaned your screen hundreds of times over the last few months, don’t worry.
First, clean your screen thoroughly, then install a screen protector and start fresh with a smooth display. Additionally, you can try **DIY oleophobic coating kits**. Yes, they’re real!
These kits allow you to apply a similar oleophobic polymer coating to your phone. The idea is to mimic the original coating that repels water, oily fingerprints, and other dirt.
I’ve tried a few kits, which usually include a cleaning wipe, an applicator, and the coating itself. You apply the coating evenly around the screen (careful not to get any inside the earpiece speaker), then let it dry. Some kits recommend applying a second coat afterward.
Just know your mileage may vary. Although these kits can improve the situation, they won’t match the quality of the original factory coating. It won’t completely stop fingerprints and oils, nor will it last as long as the original.
## It’s Inevitable—But You Can Slow It Down
So, what can you do to stop your phone’s oleophobic coating from wearing out?
– Avoid using harsh chemicals on the screen.
– Resist wiping fingerprints away constantly—you’re inadvertently removing the coating.
– Use a screen protector to protect the original coating.
– Clean the screen gently and occasionally, using a microfiber cloth and water if needed.
Ultimately, there isn’t much anyone can do to completely prevent oleophobic coating wear. With daily use, your fingers will slowly wear down the coating on your phone, tablet, and other touchscreen devices.
Given how much we interact with these gadgets every day, it’s only a matter of time before your oleophobic coating starts to disappear too. But by caring for your screen properly, you can prolong its clean, smooth feel for as long as possible.
https://www.howtogeek.com/your-phone-screen-has-a-secret-coating-thats-slowly-destroying-itself/