Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 12/13 Screen Protectors Keep Lifting Off

nomad01

nomad01

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Aug 1, 2005
1,734
73
Birmingham, England
EDIT: If you don’t use a screen protector, you probably can’t answer this…

I’m having a weird issue with tempered glass screen protectors on my IPhones.

My iPhone 12 Pro Max had the issue and now my 13 Pro Max is the same.

The screen protectors apply perfectly but only seem to stay put for around a week or two before they slowly start to lift.

I’ve tried more expensive ones and cheaper ones. They all lift.

The puzzling thing is my partner now has my 12 and never gets this issue even though the phone spends more time in their pocket and bag than mine ever did.

Anyone else having this issue?

I can’t figure out what the hell I’m doing to make this happen. Is it because I use mine more and it gets hotter potentially..?

Would be REALLY great for some opinions from people that actually use screen protectors.
 
Last edited:
I dont use screen protectors either. Don't like how they feel, don't like how they look. And Im careful enough with my phone that the screen doesn't get scratched. If it does get scratched, it's from some major accident that would require AppleCare to fix... ?
 
  • Angry
Reactions: Jeven Stobs
nomad01 said:
EDIT: If you don’t use a screen protector, you probably can’t answer this…

I’m having a weird issue with tempered glass screen protectors on my IPhones.

My iPhone 12 Pro Max had the issue and now my 13 Pro Max is the same.

The screen protectors apply perfectly but only seem to stay put for around a week or two before they slowly start to lift.

I’ve tried more expensive ones and cheaper ones. They all lift.

The puzzling thing is my partner now has my 12 and never gets this issue even though the phone spends more time in their pocket and bag than mine ever did.

Anyone else having this issue?

I can’t figure out what the hell I’m doing to make this happen. Is it because I use mine more and it gets hotter potentially..?

Would be REALLY great for some opinions from people that actually use screen protectors.
Click to expand...
hahaha,i always face that issue as well,whereas my wife doesnt.in the end i ended using no sreen protector.
 
I still have a Spigen EZ fit screen protector on my launch day 12 Pro Max never lifted or chipped. Does have a few scratches on it now but rather the protector than the phone. Also got the same protector on my backup phone a XR
 
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect
dazlicous said:
I still have a Spigen EZ fit screen protector on my launch day 12 Pro Max never lifted or chipped. Does have a few scratches on it now but rather the protector than the phone. Also got the same protector on my backup phone a XR
Click to expand...

I never really had the issue with the previous design phones… or iPads. But since the iPhone 12 none of them stay out for me. My partners never moves.
 
nomad01 said:
Anyone else having this issue?
Click to expand...

I began using a screen protector when I got an iPhone 13. Why? My iPhone 5c got a minor scratch from a pocket zipper early in its lifetime and the scratch cost me $$$ when I traded it in. My next phone, a 6s, was unprotected as well but I took a lot of care when handling it. I decided to get a protector for my 13 because I was tired of having to pay so much attention when using and carrying my phone. Plus the pandemic made me want to be able to disinfect my phone without directly exposing a new screen to alcohol.

So, I've been using an amFilm tempered glass protector for several months now, based on recommendations from the Wirecutter website. I haven't had any problems with lifting or sliding.

Perhaps your problem is caused by something on your screen's surface or on your hands interfering with the adhesive on the protectors you've tried. Maybe a careful cleaning, following Apple's recommendations, right before installing a protector with freshly washed (or gloved) hands will do the trick.

----------
ETA: if OP uses the phone in a commercial kitchen, there are a lot of substances, both food and non-food, that could affect an adhesive in the air and on surfaces.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect and yitwail
KaliYoni said:
Perhaps your problem is caused by something on your screen's surface or on your hands interfering with the adhesive on the protectors you've tried. Maybe a careful cleaning, following Apple's recommendations, right before installing a protector with freshly washed (or gloved) hands will do the trick.
Click to expand...

I’ve been using protectors for the same reason. I sell (or pass on) an immaculate phone on each year and so i get the best price I can for it as it’s in great condition… and I don’t have to worry too much about babying it on a day to day basis.

Good point about the application but I’ve had one applied in store that did the same and also, I applied my partners before I passed it on and it’s still immaculate.

It’s definitely something to do with the usage of mine that’s causing this. I just can’t figure out what it is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yitwail and Andeddu
nomad01 said:
I’ve been using protectors for the same reason. I sell (or pass on) an immaculate phone on each year and so i get the best price I can for it as it’s in great condition… and I don’t have to worry too much about babying it on a day to day basis.

Good point about the application but I’ve had one applied in store that did the same and also, I applied my partners before I passed it on and it’s still immaculate.

It’s definitely something to do with the usage of mine that’s causing this. I just can’t figure out what it is.
Click to expand...
hmmm,let me ask...do you happen to have OCD?
 
Spetsgruppa said:
its a serious question. but if you wont answer with a simple yes or no then i cant provide more answers.
Click to expand...

Okay, then I apologise. You must appreciate that it’s pretty difficult to tell if someone is just out to troll though.

I don’t have OCD. As I said, I’ve always applied screen protectors to keep the phone in as good a condition as possible so I can get the best price when I sell it… and also not be using a phone that looks like its been in a war.

Apple sell screen protectors on their website so I don’t think it’s just me, or people with an obsessive compulsive disorder that have a need or want for them.
 
nomad01 said:
Okay, then I apologise. You must appreciate that it’s pretty difficult to tell if someone is just out to troll though.

I don’t have OCD. As I said, I’ve always applied screen protectors to keep the phone in as good a condition as possible so I can get the best price when I sell it… and also not be using a phone that looks like its been in a war.

Apple sell screen protectors on their website so I don’t think it’s just me, or people with an obsessive compulsive disorder that have a need or want for them.
Click to expand...
i have OCD...the problem with my screen protector lifting is because i cant stand dirt stuck to the sides of the screen protector,so i will try to remove the dirt/dust with a toothpick/small piece of paper.Thus i asked if you have OCD xD

so eventually i got tired and just went naked.
 
nomad01 said:
I never really had the issue with the previous design phones… or iPads. But since the iPhone 12 none of them stay out for me. My partners never moves.
Click to expand...
This is my launch day 12 Pro Max screen protector been on since day 1 never even used the 2nd protector that came with it

0D6F1267-F01F-4EC4-B90A-E1856313FB59.jpeg
 
Spetsgruppa said:
i have OCD...the problem with my screen protector lifting is because i cant stand dirt stuck to the sides of the screen protector,so i will try to remove the dirt/dust with a toothpick/small piece of paper.Thus i asked if you have OCD xD

so eventually i got tired and just went naked.
Click to expand...

Okay, I understand. And apologies again for being defensive.

I know what you mean, and I have done that in the past and lifted the screen edge but its not something I do regularly and the last few protectors have lifted after as little as 10 days. Maybe naked is the way forward.
 
nomad01 said:
So is there anyone that DOES use a screen protector that wants to contribute..?
Click to expand...
Isn’t it great that people love to profess their love of doing something the opposite, rather than trying to help?

I haven’t seen this issue myself or on my parents’ phones that I apply protectors to. I’ve always just got the cheap ones on Amazon that had the most ratings at the time of purchase, which has been Tethys, amFilm, and Trianium in the past. My XS has had the same screen protector on for three years. My 13 has had one on for about six months so far with no issues either.

Just some ideas…
  • Is there any difference between the cases you and your partner use? Could yours be rubbing on the protector, or not a big enough lip to prevent it from snagging on things?
  • Do you and your partner handle the phone differently in everyday use? Do you put your phone in your pocket more often, or vice versa…things like that.
  • Are you more likely to grab your phone with wet or sweaty hands? Maybe some liquid is seeping under and slowly working it loose?
  • Any other variables that are different between yours and your partner’s?
 
  • Like
Reactions: nomad01
dazlicous said:
This is my launch day 12 Pro Max screen protector been on since day 1 never even used the 2nd protector that came with it
Click to expand...

That’s literally been my experience until the iPhone 12 design. They would stay fixed forever.

Like I said, my partners is staying adhered too. The only thing I can think of is that I spend a lot more time on my phone and it can get hot occasionally so maybe the heat is causing it.
 
nomad01 said:
Okay, I understand. And apologies again for being defensive.

I know what you mean, and I have done that in the past and lifted the screen edge but its not something I do regularly and the last few protectors have lifted after as little as 10 days. Maybe naked is the way forward.
Click to expand...
its okay haha. i get the feeling its because my wife doesnt do that and her protector stays on forever. mine lifts up after a few days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nomad01
iStorm said:
Just some ideas…
  • Is there any difference between the cases you and your partner use? Could yours be rubbing on the protector, or not a big enough lip to prevent it from snagging on things?
  • Do you and your partner handle the phone differently in everyday use? Do you put your phone in your pocket more often, or vice versa…things like that.
  • Are you more likely to grab your phone with wet or sweaty hands? Maybe some liquid is seeping under and slowly working it loose?
  • Any other variables that are different between yours and your partner’s?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.

1) Cases are the same. I literally passed my iPhone 12 on with a newly applied screen protector and the same style/brand case.
2) My partner has it in his pocket all day whereas mine is usually on a wireless charger… unless I’m using it.
3) Hmm… this is possible as I work in a kitchen but I’m usually uber careful about washing/drying before I touch my phone as I don’t want it to get gunked up.
4) I’ve racked my brain trying to look at what the variables are and honestly, the only thing I can potentially see is that I do I use mine a lot more and it can get warm so potentially the heat could be causing it.

It’s just so irritating because it applies really well and looks fine and then within a week it’s lifting.

I tried applying one last night to a slightly damp screen (from the alcohol cloth that came with the screen protector) to see whether that would make any difference. It looks fine this morning but we’ll see…

Thanks again.
 
nomad01 said:
So is there anyone that DOES use a screen protector that wants to contribute..?
Click to expand...

I am using a generic $7 screen protector on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, had it installed on the day it arrived, somewhere in October last year. No issues with it so far.

Personally I feel that screen protectors sit better on the flat screen of the 13 Pro Max, compared to the slightly curved screens of earlier models, like the iPhone XR.
 
MacLappy said:
Personally I feel that screen protectors sit better on the flat screen of the 13 Pro Max, compared to the slightly curved screens of earlier models, like the iPhone XR.
Click to expand...
In theory I definitely agree but the ones I used on the curved screens sat inwards of the curve and never seemed to lift.

I’m obviously doing something wrong but I can’t figure out what.
 
I generally purchase screen protectors from the Apple store and allow them to apply it using their device. The screen protectors are always perfect and last through the life of the phone. I had one each with my 6S, 8 and 12 Mini… 3 screen protectors in 7 years with zero hassle.
 
Andeddu said:
I generally purchase screen protectors from the Apple store and allow them to apply it using their device. The screen protectors are always perfect and last through the life of the phone. I had one each with my 6S, 8 and 12 Mini… 3 screen protectors in 7 years with zero hassle.
Click to expand...
Thanks. As I mentioned above, I have had them fitted at an Apple store and the same thing happen.

They always apply fine. I don’t think application is the issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back