The wonderful world of iPads is undeniable useful for work, home, study, and game or movie time. That said, I find the frustration of fingerprint smudges almost unbearable, as I know countless others do, too! How, then, can you protect your iPad screen from fingerprints?
There are no permanent solutions to protect iPad screens from fingerprints. Screen protectors reduce fingerprints’ visibility or make screens easier to clean. You can reapply Apple’s oleophobic coating to prevent oil from fingers, wipe screens with a microfiber cloth, or use a stylus.
There are numerous methods you can employ that help reduce the effects of fingerprints on your iPad screen. We’ll explore screen protectors made from space shuttles, electronic cleaning solutions, and finger sleeves – all great for a better iPad viewing experience.
How Do You Protect Your iPad From Fingerprints?
Despite electronics not mixing well with magnets, anyone who owns an iPad will undoubtedly voice their displeasure at its tendency to be a fingerprint magnet! Their screens are made from glass and coated with a temporary oleophobic (oil-repellent) layer to resist, although not eliminate, fingerprints.
Apple’s oleophobic layer on iPads and iPhones offers little to prevent fingerprints or smudges. Fingerprints will be more vivid and standard if you have oilier skin than most people – this is especially true on some of the larger iPad screens.
Since the screen’s base compound is glass, eliminating fingerprints is impossible unless manufacturers develop a formula that lasts forever or produces a unique formula that you can regularly reapply to the screen. That said, you can take precautions and put things in place to reduce excessive fingerprints on your iPad screen.
Reapply The Oleophobic Coating To The iPad Screen
Although Apple applies an oleophobic coating to their new devices, it will naturally wear off within two to three years. If you’re not fond of screen protectors, then the next best thing is to reapply the original oleophobic coating, so let’s look at how to do that. It only takes five easy steps and costs you around 10 minutes to apply before leaving it to dry.
Step 1: Clean The iPad’s Screen
- Clean the screen area where you wish to apply the coating thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of no more than 70%.
- Wipe the display’s surface dry with a microfiber cloth after you’re sure it’s clear of fingerprints, debris, grit, and grime.
Step 2: Prepare Your Finger For Wiping
- Wrap a piece of plastic around one of your fingers; you may use a sandwich bag or plastic wrap.
This plastic-wrapped finger will keep the liquid from seeping into your finger, and it will be your instrument for massaging the coating liquid onto the screen. Keep in mind that the liquid solvent in the oleophobic coating evaporates fast when applied, so you’ll need to work swiftly.
Step 3: Apply The Oleophobic Coating
- Apply ten drops to one section of the screen, working on one portion at a time.
If you were to coat a smaller surface akin to a mobile device, you would apply 10-15 drops of the oleophobic coating liquid evenly onto the entire surface.
Step 4: Spread The Oleophobic Coating Evenly
- Wipe the surface with your plastic-covered finger with fast, gentle swipes until the liquid evaporates.
You don’t have to rub very hard; all you’re doing is distributing the coating molecules around the surface before the solvent evaporates. Repeat the liquid application and rubbing technique on the remaining surface if you only applied the liquid to one section of the surface.
Step 5: Let The Coating Settle
- Allow for 8-12 hours for the coating to bond to the surface of the iPad. It’s best to apply the coating before going to bed so that it has all night to settle.
After that, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any leftover residue on the touch screen. Do it two or three times to maximize the longevity of the oleophobic coating.
Wiping iPad With A Dry, Soft Cloth Is Quick And Easy
Most fingerprints may come off with a dry, soft cloth, such as the one you use to clean your eyeglasses or lint – aim for chemical-free products. Due to the glass nature of the screen, consider cleaning tools used in labs, such as Kimwipes or Kaydry, which are available from a variety of major shops, including Amazon.
If you want to maintain a crystal-clear screen, wipe it down with a microfiber cloth until it’s spotless, and give it a quick wipe before using it. Using a microfiber cloth is also very handy and makes quick work of fingerprints. It’s a good idea to store a microfiber cloth in your bag when you head to work or school for a quick clean throughout the day.
When you’re not using the cloth, make sure it’s covered or stored in a cabinet or drawer; otherwise, it’ll collect dust and spread all over the screen, making it much more difficult to clean.
Furthermore, avoid cleaning your iPad screen with pre-moistened lens-cleaning tissues because most contain a high concentration of alcohol, which can affect the screen’s coating. Apple recommends using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or a disinfectant wipe. They also warn against using bleach or hydrogen peroxide products.
Matte iPad Screen Protector Diminishes Fingerprints
Since our hands are naturally oily, it’s only natural to create fingerprints on an iPad screen, regardless of whether we wash our hands.
A matte screen protector improves the texture and feel of writing something using your Apple pencil. You will see slight marks when writing on a matte screen protector, but you can quickly wipe them away with a single finger.
Remember that you will still get smudges and fingerprints on a matte screen protector, but it’s significantly more straightforward to clean when compared to a glossier and reflective screen.
It also defuses the light reflecting off the screen, eliminating reflections and making fingerprints practically invisible. As a bonus, reading, writing, and drawing on your iPad is much less distracting and easier on the eyes, too.
However, a matte screen protector will slightly alter the brightness and sharpness of your image quality. Of course, it also protects the screen, as a piece of sharp grit caught between your finger or the Apple Pencil and the screen is a common cause of scratches.
Tempered Glass Makes Cleaning Fingerprints On iPad Easier
Tempered glass is thicker than regular glass and aims to offer substantially more impact resistance rather than protecting against scratches. The fine scratches on iPad screens are usually in the oleophobic coating, not the glass itself.
Compared to a matte screen protector, it makes use of superior Japanese glass, ensuring the screen’s smooth glide and feel while maintaining the brightness, sharpness, and clarity you expect from your iPad. It works with the Apple Pencil, making it simple to scribble down notes whenever required.
Remember that our fingertips create fingerprints on reflective surfaces, and tempered glass is no exception. Even though it is innately adept at keeping fingerprints away, tempered glass shines in that wiping the fingerprints off with a microfiber cloth takes only a few moments – you don’t need any fancy cleaning agents or formulas that cost money.
iKlear Cleaning Kits For Apple Displays Work Like Magic
In addition to helping iPad displays look like new, iKlear products are great for cleaning any other screens, too. If you accidentally spilled a hot beverage on your screen, you may notice liquid stains and streaks on the screen and external casing. In this case, a microfiber cloth may work well, but it won’t remove the liquid markings and fingerprints entirely.
iKlear products will remove the hot beverage streaks, smudges, fingerprints, and any other grit affecting the iPad’s display. It takes roughly 15 seconds to clean the Screen and produce a mirror finish. In fact, the iKlear products will also work on any aluminum keyboard.
Clean Your iPad Screen With A Stylus
A stylus will only set you back around $1, and unlike your finger, it’s free of oil, grime, and dirt. Of course, this means much fewer fingerprints, too! They are convenient for when you wear gloves or have long nails. You may even find that it’s more accurate than your fingers when you’re using the onscreen keyboard.
They usually feel more exact since they impede less of your vision and are more visible. More significantly, while sketching and writing, holding a pen-like stick may be more comfortable than keeping a pointing posture for hours.
An iPad Case Prevents Exposure To The Elements
While it’s true that our hands are naturally oily, not all iPad users experience the same volume of smudges and fingerprints on their screens. In truth, variables like humidity, cleanliness, and perspiration are also viable contributors, so iPad cases can help significantly in reducing the volume of fingerprints on your screen.
These covers typically have a polyurethane or leather composition and protect the iPad from knocks, scratches, dust, grime, and weather that make fingerprints more visible. The tri-fold design magnetically adheres to the iPad’s edges, practically equipping itself while quickly snapping off if you need to remove the case.
“Whoosh!” Makes A Mean iPad Screen Cleaner
This screen cleaner is reputable for getting the job and is free of alcohol & ammonia, plus it comes standard with a microfiber cloth. Its odorless and electronic-friendly formula will also be effective on your iPad screen, MacBook, iPhone, LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screen types. When your iPad display has fingerprint woes, go ahead and “Whoosh!” them away.
ArmorSuit Protects iPad Screen With NASA Technology
Who wouldn’t want bragging rights to having space shuttle and aircraft materials attached to their iPad? ArmorSuit manufactures MilitaryShield, a solid screen protector for iPads, tablets, cameras, gaming gadgets, watches, and even GPS devices.
ArmorSuit uses NASA-developed transparent protective skin technology for space shuttles and airplanes to deliver the best scratch-proof and fingerprint-resistant protection for electronics. That said, MilitaryShield is not compatible with a stylus, so you will have to use your fingers.
Skinomi TechSkin For iPad Is Highly Fingerprint Resistant
TechSkin acts as a screen protector that consists of the most durable thermoplastic urethane film on the market. It boasts the highest level of abrasion resistance, making it the ideal gadget and device protection.
The film’s “self-healing” technology renders it scratch-resistant and nearly indestructible. It passed many OEM testing in the United States, claiming a positive reputation for its scratch and fingerprint resistant features, more so than any other covering on the market.
Skinomi has screen protectors for iPads, digital cameras, cell phones, gaming devices, and more. They are not matte but have more of a rubbery texture to them. This texture can be appealing to some people who find their iPads a little too slippery and welcome the added grip.
TechSkin boasts next-generation materials produced from the same material that covers NASA space shuttles and helicopter blades. The business is so confident in their product that they even advise you to use a key to scratch your TechSkin-protected iPad!
What happens if you have some lint stuck behind the screen protector, or you misaligned it after installation? You’ll be happy to know these screen protectors are removable, washable, and re-applicable during installation, unlike most other screen protectors that have a one-time use only.
A Finger Sleeve Can Provide Fingerprint Solution For Your iPad
A finger sleeve is a protective sleeve that fits over the finger that controls your iPad. It ensures that your touch registers on the touch screen regardless of obstacles between your skin and the glass. Finger sleeves are not standard among iPad users. In fact, serious mobile gamers use them, albeit not for fewer fingerprints, but to improve their performance.
Nonetheless, nothing ventured, nothing gained. This pair of finger sleeves consists of conductive fiber and spandex, which is both breathable and comfortable, so you won’t have to worry about your hands or fingers becoming stuffy if you wear them for long periods.
They’re non-slip, anti-drop, oil-proof, and anti-fingerprint, thanks to their excellent fiber and spandex composition. They help isolate hand perspiration and minimize the need to touch your iPad display with bare fingers. Furthermore, they are pretty inexpensive, so you can easily purchase them in bulk when you need some at home and the workplace.
Certain basketball players, like Reggie Miller, also utilize a finger sleeve. It enhances their grip when they take a shot and protects their fingers.
Conclusion
Screen protectors can reduce fingerprint visibility, boast high fingerprint resistance, or make screens easier to clean. Otherwise, utilize a finger sleeve when using your iPad, or give it a quick wipe with iKlear or Whoosh!, in combination with a microfiber cloth. Lastly, a stylus is as comfortable as a pen and does not require touching your iPad screen.
