iPad Pro Nano texture screen: why only "infrequent" use of 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution?

[msackey]

Apple's support page for cleaning the nano-texture screen indicates the following. I want to ask why is the use of 70-percent IPA solution only suggested as an infrequent use?

To remove dust or smudges from the nano-texture display, use the polishing cloth that came with your Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, iMac, MacBook Pro or iPad Pro (M4).

For infrequent cleaning of hard-to-remove smudges, you can moisten the cloth with a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/104948


I do have a nano-texture iPad screen and so far have not had to use isopropyl alcohol, but I was thinking that a once a month cleaning of the screen with the solution might be a good idea?

 

[CharlesShaw]

I don't own any nano-texture screens, but I would certainly want to know Apple's definition of infrequent, and whether or not (and how, if yes) 70% IPA could do any harm, as I'm accustomed to keeping my "regular" screens very clean (without using anything but a lightly dampened cloth).

Hopefully owners of nano-texture screens are providing ongoing feedback to Apple and asking them for more information before the rest of us are faced with this choice, perhaps on iPhone or Apple Watch.

 

[msackey]

I don't own any nano-texture screens, but I would certainly want to know Apple's definition of infrequent, and whether or not (and how, if yes) 70% IPA could do any harm, as I'm accustomed to keeping my screens very clean.

Hopefully owners of nano-texture screens are providing ongoing feedback to Apple and asking them for more information before the rest of us are faced with this choice, perhaps on iPhone or Apple Watch.

Good point about what Apple means specifically by "infrequent".

The way they phrased the infrequent use of 70% IPA makes me think that perhaps it is possible that the solution slightly weakens or removes something that is actually desired over time. For instance, perhaps the IPA removes the oleophobic coating? In any case, I find usually that after couple years of finger screening touching on my iPhone, the coating is rubbed off.

From what I have viewed/read, nano-texture users indicate that it is harder for the screen to get smudgy, but once smudgy it is also harder to clean it up without using the associate polishing cloth, etc. I haven't yet experienced the "harder to clean" aspect of the screen yet because I'm still treating the screen delicately. I will say that the screen does seem to be harder to get smudgy, but perhaps this is a result of the combination of nano and oleophobic coating? I'm not sure...

 

[mcfield]

Apple's support page for cleaning the nano-texture screen indicates the following. I want to ask why is the use of 70-percent IPA solution only suggested as an infrequent use?


Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/104948


I do have a nano-texture iPad screen and so far have not had to use isopropyl alcohol, but I was thinking that a once a month cleaning of the screen with the solution might be a good idea?

I'm pretty sure that thie IPA will reomve some of the coating from the screen; sadly I did this to an iPhone a while back. I'd guess that 'infrequent' means 'as little as possible', and should only be used if you really have to. Diluting the IPA with distilled water to 50% could also be a good idea.

 

[msackey]

I'm pretty sure that thie IPA will reomve some of the coating from the screen; sadly I did this to an iPhone a while back. I'd guess that 'infrequent' means 'as little as possible', and should only be used if you really have to. Diluting the IPA with distilled water to 50% could also be a good idea.

AH! I see. Thanks for sharing your experience. Then I guess I will avoid the alcohol solution as much as possible and see if less harsh methods work first.

 

[marko232]

I would try to use distilled water

 

[adrianlondon]

I think it's just saying that the screen won't need this type of cleaning often, not that it'll do harm.

 

[msackey]

I think it's just saying that the screen won't need this type of cleaning often, not that it'll do harm.

I see. That’s an interesting interpretation of their writing. I can see that.