How to Get Air Bubbles Out of a Screen Protector?

We all know that feeling of when you drop your phone and hold your breath for an anxious second before picking it up, hoping you’ve not damaged it.

So, when you’ve taken the very sensible step to protect your screen with a plastic or glass screen protector, don’t let pesky air bubbles rain on your parade. Discover why they form and how to get them gone from your life by reading on.

How Do Air Bubbles Form?

There are many reasons why pesky air bubbles can form underneath your screen protector. From not applying the screen protector correctly to the screen protector being incompatible with your phone model, air bubbles can prevail. The screen protector can also trap dust particles underneath it, creating air pockets. 

You might think that pesky bubbles will only form under plastic protectors. However, glass protectors can be just as annoying when it comes to creating these pockets on your screen. If you’ve just applied your protector and you’ve got air bubbles, then one of two things could be the immediate cause: either you’ve not applied the protector to the phone properly, or the device’s screen wasn’t clean enough before you tried using the glass or plastic guard. 

How’s that possible? Well, dust, lint, and the oil secreted from your fingertips will cause the screen to be dirtier than it might seem at first. But even when you master the art of applying the protector to your device’s screen, sometimes phones won’t stay bubble-free. 

With 31% of US adults and 46% of US teens confessing that they’re nearly always on the internet (according to 2021 and 2022 Pew Research Surveys), it’s not a surprise that sometimes you’ll drop your phone. After all, that’s what the case and screen protectors are for! However, you can create air bubbles from the pressure applied to your screen whenever you drop your phone. 

In whatever way you’ve managed to get air bubbles, the good news is there are methods for removing them.

How to Get Air Bubbles Out of a Screen Protector

Below, we’ll cover a few methods you can use to remove those annoying bubbles from beneath your screen protector: 

Remove and Clean 

With this method, always check that your protector is removable. Some glass protectors will shatter should you try removing them, so please check beforehand. Start by removing the protector carefully and cleaning it with a screen cleaner and a clean microfibre cloth. 

A microfibre cloth removes dirt or fabric threads. Once you’re happy with your protector, ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned your phone screen. 

Don’t apply lots of water - not all phones have waterproof features. Instead, apply a screen cleaning wipe and dry with the microfibre cloth. Remember, don’t use a dirty cloth or a paper towel; the former could leave fibers, and the latter could leave tiny scratches on your device. 

It’s important to note that doing this may result in your screen protector not being as sticky as it was previously. 

Scrape Them Away

Remove screen protector bubbles by first taking off your phone case and placing the phone on a flat surface. Using a plastic card, apply gentle pressure from the center of the screen outward, pushing bubbles to the edges.

Some devices will have little plastic tools to help scrape the bubbles away. This method is worth trying if you know you can’t remove the protector or don’t want to risk breaking it. The key is to be gentle as you scrape away the air pockets. 

If you don’t have the plastic tools to help you, you can try using a credit card, debit card, gift card, or library card, as long as it’s clean, to gently remove the pockets safely. Ensure you start in the center of the screen and move the bubble to the edge to slowly let the air out. 

If you still have some air pockets, try gently using your fingers to apply pressure. Please make sure you have clean fingers before you do so to avoid too many smudge marks. 

Have You Tried Vegetable Oil? 

While this might seem like an old wives tale for the modern era, some people have found this method to work. It’s important to note that applying vegetable oil won’t magically work on bubbles in the center of your phone but could work on air pockets hoping to escape from the edges. 

All you need is a Q-tip and some vegetable oil. Dip the tip in the oil and run it along the edge of your protector. 

Almost magically, the oil can release the air bubbles and seal the screen protector onto your phone. Please just remember to wipe away any oil remnants before you use it. 

Scotch Tape to the Rescue

Since its humble beginnings in the 1930s, almost every household has scotch tape in a drawer. If you’re nervous about completely removing the screen protector, but the library card hasn’t worked, combing the card and tape could be the answer. 

Take your card and carefully peel back one corner of your screen protector. Avoid touching the adhesive with your fingers; the oil can dirty the screen and weaken the glue. 

Next, take a piece of tape and dab the screen area with the air bubbles in it. Doing so should hopefully collect and clear away any dust or fibers causing you problems. Once you’re happy, gently lower the corner of your screen, pressing from the center to the edges to reapply correctly.

If other corners have air pockets, repeat the steps until you're happy.

Need a New Phone Case or Screen Protector? Shop Casely!

If the air bubbles stick around even after trying all these methods, the time may have come when it’s time to replace your screen protector. Browse our selection of phone cases and screen protectors at Casely to ensure your phone is as safe as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get Bubbles Out of Screen Protector?

To remove air bubbles from a screen protector, use a clean plastic card or screen protector applicator, to gently push the bubbles from the center to the edge. For stubborn bubbles, apply low heat with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive, then press down to smooth them out.