The best wipes to clean your phone are 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or standard disinfecting wipes (like Clorox or Lysol). Major manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google specifically approve these for wiping down the hard, non-porous exterior surfaces of your phone without damaging the screen’s protective coating.
The best wipes for cleaning your phone are ZEISS Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes or WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes for daily smudges, and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes for sanitizing. They safely remove germs and fingerprints without damaging your device's protective coatings.
The safest and most effective way to clean your phone is by using a lint-free microfiber cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe. This removes everyday grime and sanitizes your device without damaging the sensitive protective coatings on your screen.
Apple recommends cleaning your iPhone immediately if it comes into contact with dirt or substances that may cause stains. Unplug all cables, turn off the device, and use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in any openings.
Do not use window and kitchen cleaners, as they may damage the protective coating on your screen. Do not use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, compressed air, dish soap or vinegar. All of these can damage your phone: Paper towels can scratch your screen, and vinegar could damage its coating.
The safest way to "clean" a phone depends on whether you need to disinfect the physical hardware or free up digital storage space. Both tasks can be done safely using trusted, manufacturer-recommended methods.
Many people believe that the bathroom is the dirtiest thing they regularly come into contact with; however, a cell phone can house up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Yes, you should regularly clean your iPhone to prevent bacteria buildup, keep the microphone and speaker grilles clear, and avoid charging issues caused by lint and debris in the port.
The iPhone 11 series (iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max) and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) will no longer be supported by Apple in 2027. These models will conclude their major iOS upgrade cycle with iOS 26, meaning they will not receive the iOS 27 update.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
Yes, you can use lens cleaner, but you must do so cautiously. Never spray liquid directly onto the device. Instead, lightly mist a microfiber cloth or use a pre-moistened, electronics-safe wipe to prevent harsh chemicals or moisture from degrading your screen’s protective coating or damaging internal ports.
Deep cleaning your phone involves removing built-up grime, disinfecting surfaces, and clearing out charging ports.
The officially recommended and utilized screen cleaner by Apple is WHOOSH! Screen Shine. It is the product used by employees across all Apple Stores to clean display devices.
Disinfecting wipes are effective at killing germs, but if they're not specifically designed to clean phones, they can corrode and remove the protective coating on the glass screen. On top of this, the actual wipes or cloths can also scratch the screen.
As of May 2026, the iPhone 11 is the oldest model that supports the latest major iOS updates (iOS 26), offering full feature support. While the iPhone 11 is the oldest "fully" supported device, older models like the iPhone 6s and up to the iPhone XS/XR still receive critical security patches.
Apple is significantly richer than Samsung. While they ship a comparable number of smartphones globally, Apple’s strict focus on premium pricing and a locked-in ecosystem allows it to dominate in overall revenue, net profit, and market valuation.
In 2026, you should avoid buying any iPhone older than an iPhone 14 Pro. Older models like the iPhone 11 and 12 struggle with modern, heavy apps. Furthermore, entirely unsupported devices (iPhone X and older, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS) no longer receive iOS or security updates.
Apple does not recommend or endorse third-party cleaner apps for storage, as iOS is designed to be self-maintaining. Instead, optimize your device using native built-in iOS features or third-party apps, while using specific hardware-approved cleaners for the screen.
Your iPhone has a customizable, invisible "secret button" on the back called Back Tap. It uses the sensors near the Apple logo to register two or three taps.
Tech experts and security agencies generally recommend shutting down your iPhone completely for 5 to 10 minutes at least once a week. While not strictly required by iOS, this routine practice provides several key benefits:
Restaurant menus have about 100 times the amount of bacteria that is found on a toilet seat.
Cell phones are 146% dirtier than the minimum hygiene standard of 250. Although still failing the minimum standard of cleanliness, the average card is 38.4% cleaner than your phone.
Bill Sullivan: Multiple studies have indeed found a wide variety of germs on cell phones. These include skin bacteria like Staphylococcus (including MRSA, the difficult-to-treat version) and Streptococcus, as well as fecal bacteria like E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis.