iPhone 12 Pro Question about the oleophobic – oil repellent – coating on iPhone 12 pro

[iPhoneLover200]

Hey guys,

Maybe a weird question about cleaning my new iPhone 12 pro (the gold one). I was wondering is the oleophobic coating also around the gold metal bead on the side of the phone/camera. And Apple says don't use any cleaners my stupid self didn't know this and I did use it 3 times is that going to wear down the coating how does that work? Have I already ruined the coating? I am not trying to baby the phone but I do want to clean it properly haha.

 

[JPack]

Coating is on front and back only.

 

[iPhoneLover200]

Coating is on front and back only.

So only like on the screen and the back, not on the glass around the camera and the stainless steel around the sides and the camera?

 

[Motionblurrr]

Yeah, there's no coating on the stainless steel sides or the camera's lenses/glass. Only on the screen and back glass.

PS: If you want to make a cleaner spray that won't damage the oleophobic coating or leave any residue but want a squeaky clean glass like if you just bought the phone: Buy a small spray bottle from the store, buy some distilled water and add 1 or 2 drops of non-scented liquid soap in that bottle and mix it in the bottle. The distilled water carries no minerals so you'll never get a scratch or residue and the tiny amount of soap breaks the tension up of the fingerprints from the surface of the glass to easily wipe off. You can even use it for sunglasses or eye glasses!

 

[LFC2020]

Had iPhones for 11 years never had a issue with the coating, use a soft cloth or your t shirt to clean the screen.

No cleaning products, water, alcohol.

 

[black_knight]

How does one sanitize their phone if no cleaning products are to be used? I’ve been using 91% rubbing alcohol, but maybe I shouldn’t?

 

[Taz Mangus]

How does one sanitize their phone if no cleaning products are to be used? I’ve been using 91% rubbing alcohol, but maybe I shouldn’t?

Guidance directly from Apple:

Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my iPhone?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents.

Cleaning your iPhone - Apple Support

Learn how to clean your iPhone.

support.apple.com

 

[BugeyeSTI]

How does one sanitize their phone if no cleaning products are to be used? I’ve been using 91% rubbing alcohol, but maybe I shouldn’t?

I've been using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes to clean my iPhone screens since 2012 with no issues.. The coating will wear faster but it will wear off from use anyway...

 

[now i see it]

The sooner that horrible slippery oleophobic gross coating wears off, the better. IT DOESNT DO ANYTHING USEFUL.
I'm using a 6 year old iPhone 6+ that has that gross coating worn off years ago. The screen and phone is much nicer to touch (no more slippery metal and glass) and everything works fine. I don't miss it at all- in fact I'm really glad it's gone. On my next new iPhone I get, I'm going to SCRUB it with pure alcohol every day to wear off that gross coating as fast as I can.

 

[black_knight]

I've been using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes to clean my iPhone screens since 2012 with no issues.. The coating will wear faster but it will wear off from use anyway...

Right on. I’ve been using alcohol on my 4 year old 7+ up until I got my 12 Pro. The 7 seemed to be fine with all of the alcohol. Thanks!

 

[alpi123]

The sooner that horrible slippery oleophobic gross coating wears off, the better. IT DOESNT DO ANYTHING USEFUL.
I'm using a 6 year old iPhone 6+ that has that gross coating worn off years ago. The screen and phone is much nicer to touch (no more slippery metal and glass) and everything works fine. I don't miss it at all- in fact I'm really glad it's gone. On my next new iPhone I get, I'm going to SCRUB it with pure alcohol every day to wear off that gross coating as fast as I can.

That's exactly the point of the oleophobic coating - to repel fingerprints and make the glass smooth.

And also good luck with trying to remove it manually. Watched a video where it took hundreds of swipes to even slightly remove the coating. Really don't get why you dislike it so much, it has no disadvantages as I see it.

 

[DevinNj]

How does one sanitize their phone if no cleaning products are to be used? I’ve been using 91% rubbing alcohol, but maybe I shouldn’t?

I don't worry about it myself, but if you're concerned, I’d invest in a UV sanitizer, this way you’re not using chemicals directly on your phone.