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To reduce scratches and wear on an iPhone’s colored exterior, limit contact with grit and abrasive items, keep the phone and its case clean, and clean the device with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. A case made for your exact iPhone model can cover some surfaces, but no case or cleaning routine makes a phone scratch-proof.

Keep grit and abrasive objects away

Sand and dirt can stain or damage an iPhone, and abrasive materials may scratch it. When carrying your phone, keep it separate from loose keys, coins, sand, and other gritty items. If it comes into contact with dirt or sand, clean it promptly rather than letting particles rub against the finish.

Use a case that fits your exact iPhone model

A compatible protective case can reduce direct contact over the surfaces it covers. Check the model compatibility and consider which edges and exterior areas the case actually covers. A design that is easy to remove also makes it simpler to clean beneath it.

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Remove the case periodically and gently clear visible debris from both the case and the phone with a soft, lint-free cloth. Particles trapped between them can rub against the exterior during everyday handling. This is a practical reason to keep both surfaces clean, not a guarantee that a case prevents scratches.

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  • Check your phone model: Before you order, please confirm your phone model to find out which product is right for you

Clean the iPhone without abrading its finish

  1. Unplug cables and turn off the iPhone.
  2. Remove dust and visible debris without rubbing it across the surface.
  3. Wipe the phone with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Apple gives a lens cloth as one example.
  4. Keep moisture out of openings.

Avoid abrasive materials and do not use general cleaning products as a shortcut for polishing. Apple warns that abrasives and cleaning products can diminish the oleophobic coating and may scratch the device. Apple’s cleaning guidance says: “Don’t use cleaning products unless following the instructions for disinfecting your iPhone.” Follow Apple’s specific instructions if disinfecting is necessary: Apple Support: Cleaning your iPhone.

Check whether a mark on textured glass is a scratch

On textured glass, a mark can sometimes be material transferred from another object rather than a scratch. Apple says transfer from items such as denim can often be removed, so gently clean the surface before deciding what caused the mark. This guidance applies to textured glass; it should not be assumed to explain marks on every frame or colored exterior.

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Do not assume every iPhone has the same exterior materials

Materials and finishes vary by iPhone model and by surface. Apple’s product overview describes Ceramic Shield on certain surfaces, but that does not establish that a colored frame uses the same material or has the same scratch properties. Check the support information for your exact model if you need to identify a surface or assess damage: Apple iPhone product overview.

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Because the model and finish matter, avoid applying polish, solvents, touch-up paint, or repair kits to an unspecified colored exterior. Apple’s cleaning guidance does not establish a general home repair method for scratches to the colored finish.

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