Those horrible sticky phone screen things...

[Sterillium]

I’ve just gone through a pack of five glass screen protectors, trying to fit one that doesn’t leave a grain of dust forming an irritating bubble under the surface.

No matter what I do, or how perfectly clean and free of dust the screen is, there is ALWAYS a fleck of dust that gets pulled to the screen at the last moment.

Static?

Is there a trick to this?

I’m about to throw my phone into the sea.

[wibble cb]

Patience....pretty much it

[ChemicalChaos]

Are you doing it wet or dry?
The decent brand protectors say to do it with a light mist of water on the screen, which you then push out with a (usually supplied) smoothing/squeegee tool.
Any air or dust is expelled and you get a perfectly flat screen protector

[Jazoli]

Buy the LK vinyl screen protectors, dead easy installation, no dust and no mess, I have fitted dozens to all my families phones with no problems or issues.

[RobbieTheTruth]

This doesn't really help, but are you sure you need one?

Most phones have that Gorilla Glass stuff which doesn't scratch.

Also, the tech moves on so fast that they are only really valuable for 2 years. It's not like you need to keep it pristine.

I think I'd rather the odd scratch than a permanent sticker over it.

[Nickbrapp]

Back when I used to use them I applied them in the bathroom with the shower running so there was no dust

Never had a bubble but now I just don’t bother

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Get a glass one...they're a lot better

[TotalControl]

The glass ones are generally better. I've got to a stage where I just don't bother. No point buying a nice phone with a decent screen only to use it with a random piece of cheap thin glass or plastic protector on top.

Bathroom trick works 60% of the time, every single time.

[W201_190e]

£50 excess, new phone. Don't bother.

[leigh1050]

Get it fitted in the shop

[Bacon Is Proof]

Wait until you're old enough to use a portfolio style case, then you won't need a screen protector.

[Spare tyre]

I still have the bit of plastic on my screen that came with the phone. Works well,

[valiant]

Use a glass one. There only a few quid even for a decent one and easy to apply and don’t affect how you use the screen at all.

Dropped my phone recently and the protector smashed but the phone screen was untouched. Well worth the few quid and five minutes it cost to install.

[RC1807]

Recently dropped my iPhone and the Panzer glass cracked.
I bought a replacement Chinese made screen from Amazon. It came with a mounting frame. Soooo much easier to align.
Used the supplied wipe, then dust sticker.
No dust.
No bubbles.

[QuickQuack]

Glass ones are good but I've recently discovered the best one. Following a cervical spine injury and surgery, I started dropping things as my arm doesn't function 100%. It's not obvious most of the time, but I drop stuff. Anyway, while looking to replace my phone as a result of a shattered screen despite a glass screen protector, I found out about rugged phones and I now have a Cat S62 Pro which is practically indestructible. You don't need to put on a screen protector, it's already got an indestructible screen, and it's got an amazing thermal camera too. It's waterproof, corrosive resistant etc etc. No need for a case or a protector.

[Murph7355]

RobbieTheTruth said:

...
Most phones have that Gorilla Glass stuff which doesn't scratch.....

Give me your phone for a month and it'll have scratches - and I don't do anything untoward with them that I'm aware of.

I use the vinyl style protectors (though for the first year just used the one that the phone came with).

I also have a Spigen bumper type case for it (Note 10+).

Both actually make the phone easier to hold/use IMO.

[GrizzlyBear]

You mean you haven't got your own clean room? What is the life of a powerfully built company director coming to these days...

More importantly, what are you people doing to need to replace them?
the original one is still on my phone and I have had it a few years, although that might be the case, I always buy a flip case to prevent the screen getting damaged.

[Sterillium]

For clarification, it was the glass ones that I tried. Resulting in me ham-fistedly working through several of them, before throwing my phone into the fire.

I will try the shower trick next.

[ChemicalChaos]

Murph7355 said:

Give me your phone for a month and it'll have scratches - and I don't do anything untoward with them that I'm aware of.

I use the vinyl style protectors (though for the first year just used the one that the phone came with).

I also have a Spigen bumper type case for it (Note 10+).

Both actually make the phone easier to hold/use IMO.

Same. Whether it's being in my pocket with keys or being used in my workshop with all sorts of swarf, the "military grade" vinyl screen protector I have has saved all sorts of scratches and gouges to my screen.
I also invest in a case with every new phone, specifically a shockproof one that wraps around and stands proud of the glass. Once again, it's proved it's worth on many occasions where phone has met concrete from a height.
Touch wood, in 12 years of owning smartphones I've yet to have a smashed screen or damaged body and I owe it all to the protection I install on day one of every device

[NDA]

Sterillium said:

For clarification, it was the glass ones that I tried. Resulting in me ham-fistedly working through several of them, before throwing my phone into the fire.

I will try the shower trick next.

It is really very tricky to get a perfect application. I have tried many, many times. The last perfect one I did was in 2019 - and it's still on the phone and looking 100%. I dread doing the next one!