Smartphone owners should safely replace cracked screen protectors using sticky tape and a plastic card to avoid injury, technology publication BGR reported.
Journalists at the media outlet warned that operating a mobile phone covered in broken protective glass poses a safety risk. They advised consumers to treat screen protectors as consumable accessories that require replacement whenever damaged.
Removing cracked glass requires careful handling to prevent cut injuries from sharp splinters. Specialists recommended applying adhesive tape over the shattered accessory to reinforce the glass and hold loose fragments together before turning off the smartphone.
Once the device is powered down, users should slide a thin plastic card, such as a bank card, between the screen protector and the touchscreen display to pry the broken layer loose.
Safe screen protector removal
If the glass or protective film is secured with strong adhesive, a standard hair dryer can be used to warm and soften the glue. To prepare the display screen for a fresh protective cover, users should wipe away dirt using wipes saturated with isopropyl alcohol before drying the glass completely with a clean cloth.
Screen protectors are transparent covers made of tempered glass or plastic film designed to absorb impact energy and prevent scratch damage to fragile touchscreens. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent widely used in electronic maintenance because it dissolves residual oils and adhesives while evaporating quickly without damaging delicate components.
Technology publication BGR, also known as Boy Genius Report, is an American news website that covers consumer technology, mobile devices, and digital hardware guides.
Smartphone lifespans and maintenance
Proper screen maintenance forms one part of managing a device over its operational lifetime. In January, BGR reported that smartphones should ideally be replaced every two to three years, though careful usage can stretch a handset's service life up to five years in some cases.
The tech specialists noted that the ultimate lifespan of any smartphone depends directly on the software support lifecycle provided by its manufacturer.
