I hate applying screen protectors, but I know that they are vital to protecting the somewhat fragile screens of modern devices. Maybe you have a device that has screen protectors that come in a box – just pop the device inside and pull. Hey presto! The perfectly applied screen protector. But what happens if you don’t have a compatible device?
Applying a Screen Protector
These steps work every time for me:
- The Steam Room: Go into your bathroom and run the hot tap for a few minutes until it’s slightly steamy or do it after taking a shower. This “grounds” the dust so it doesn’t float onto your screen the second you peel the backing off.
- Dry Alignment: Lay the new protector on your device. Get it perfect.
- The Hinge: Take two pieces of Sellotape. Stick them to the right side of the protector and wrap them around to the back of the device. You now have a “door” that opens and closes in the exact same spot every time.
- The Final Clean: Flip the “door” open. Clean the screen with your alcohol wipe, then the cloth. Then—this is the vital part—use a fresh piece of Sellotape to dab the entire screen to pick up microscopic lint.
- The Drop: Peel the backing off the protector. Because of the hinges, you don’t have to “aim.” Just close the “door” and let it land.
- The Squeegee: Use a credit card (wrapped in your microfiber cloth so it doesn’t scratch the matte finish) and push from the center outwards.
Voilà ! The perfectly applied screen protector.