Fingerprints, skin oils, sunscreen and pocket lint build up on Apple hardware fast. Here is how to clean Apple devices without stripping a screen coating, dulling a finish or pushing moisture into a port.
Each product line has its own rules, and the right method changes with the material. The basics apply everywhere. Power the device off, unplug it, use a soft cloth and keep liquid out of every opening.
A Soft Lint-Free Cloth Handles Most Apple Devices
Most jobs need nothing more than a soft, lint-free cloth and a little water. Abrasive cloths, towels and paper towels can damage a surface, and so can wiping harder than necessary.
The do-not-use list stays consistent across most Apple products.
- Aerosol sprays, bleach and abrasives
- Window cleaners, household cleaners, solvents and ammonia
- Cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide
- Any cleaner sprayed directly onto the device
Disinfecting wipes are allowed on hard, nonporous surfaces only. A 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe or a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe can be used gently on displays, keyboards and other exterior surfaces. Keep them away from Apple Vision Pro, fabric and leather, and skip any product that contains bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Never submerge a device in a cleaning agent.
Macs Need Water First and Isopropyl Alcohol Only for Stubborn Smudges
For a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or any other Mac laptop, shut it down and unplug the power adapter. Wipe the exterior with a damp, soft, lint-free cloth, keep moisture out of the openings and never spray liquid onto the computer.
The screen gets a cloth dampened with water only. If fingerprints or smudges refuse to budge, moisten the cloth with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution and gently wipe the display or enclosure.
On a desktop, shut down the Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro or iMac, unplug the power cord and any connected devices, then wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. The iMac screen takes water on a soft cloth, with the same 70 percent isopropyl alcohol option for hard-to-remove smudges. Keep any cleaner containing acetone off the screen.
An Apple Studio Display or Apple Pro Display XDR needs to be disconnected from power, the computer and any other devices first. Wipe off dust with a soft, dry cloth, then use a slightly damp, lint-free cloth if the panel needs more. Models with nano-texture glass follow a different routine, covered in the next section.
Nano-Texture Glass Displays Are Cleaned With the Polishing Cloth That Came in the Box
Nano-texture glass is available on the Apple Studio Display, Apple Pro Display XDR, iMac, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro (M4). The surface is treated to cut glare, so it gets its own routine instead of the damp-cloth method used on standard glass.
- Shut down the device and disconnect it from power.
- Wipe the display with the Polishing Cloth that came with it. This is all most days require.
- For a mark that will not lift, moisten the cloth with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution and wipe again. Treat this as an occasional fix.
A lost cloth can be replaced, and the Polishing Cloth dropped to $9 in August. The cloth needs cleaning too. Hand-wash it with dish soap and water, rinse it thoroughly and let it air dry for at least 24 hours before using it again.
iPhone and iPad Screens Lose Their Coating When You Scrub
Turn off the iPhone and unplug all cables, then wipe it with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. The display has an oleophobic coating that repels oil. Cleaning products and abrasive materials wear it down and can scratch the glass.
iPad screens carry the same type of coating, which fades with normal use. Abrasive materials speed that up. Skip compressed air on both devices, including around the speaker grilles and ports. An iPad Pro (M4) with nano-texture glass follows the polishing cloth routine above.
Ink, dyes, makeup, dirt, food, oils and lotions can stain an iPhone, so clean it as soon as it touches any of them.
Apple Watch Can Go Under Running Water but Never With Soap
Turn off the Apple Watch, take it off the charger and remove any leather band. Wipe it with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, dampened lightly with fresh water if needed. If debris is stuck in the speaker ports, you can hold the watch under lightly running, warm, fresh water. Apple Watch Series 10 and later can also use a soft-bristle brush on the speaker ports.
Dry the whole watch afterward, including the back crystal. Lotion and sunscreen on the crystal can interfere with the sensors, and ECG readings need clean, dry contact with the skin. Soaps, compressed air, ultrasonic cleaning and external heat can all damage the watch. A dirty back also causes charging trouble, and there is a full list of Apple Watch charging fixes.
A stuck Digital Crown gets the same treatment. Hold it under lightly running, warm, fresh water while you turn and press it, then dry the gap around it.
Bands depend on the material, and these steps cover Apple-branded bands only.
- Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Band, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop and Trail Loop: a lint-free cloth with fresh water, or mild hypoallergenic hand soap if needed.
- FineWoven bands: a mix of 1 teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent in 1 cup of water, rubbed on gently for a minute, then a wipe with fresh water. Lay the band flat to dry for at least a day.
- Leather bands: a lightly dampened cloth only. Leather is not water resistant, so never soak it and let it air dry before putting it back on.
Disinfecting wipes get tighter limits on the watch. Wipes with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, 75 percent ethyl alcohol or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are fine on the watch exterior and on the Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band and metal bands. They are off limits for fabric and leather bands.
Keyboards, Cables and MagSafe Chargers Each Have Their Own Rules
Small accessories collect the most grime, and each one has a different method.
- Keyboards, mice and trackpads: power the device off and remove removable batteries, or unplug it if it is wired. Wipe the outside with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water.
- Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2: if tracking is off, turn the mouse over and check the sensor window under a bright light. Clear any hair or debris with a gentle burst of compressed air.
- iPad Magic Keyboard: remove it from the iPad first. A slightly damp cloth works, and a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe is also allowed.
- Cables: unplug both ends, then wipe along the length with a slightly damp cloth. A cloth wet with soapy water is fine for stubborn dirt. Keep moisture away from the connectors and let the cable dry overnight before using it.
- MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Battery Pack: brush debris off the magnetic ring and unplug the accessory. Wipe the silicone center of the charging area with a microfiber cloth dampened with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.
- Apple Pencil: wipe the body from the tip end toward the other end with a slightly damp cloth. Leave the tip and the USB-C connector on the Apple Pencil (USB-C) alone, and keep moisture out of the body.
Cases Need Different Care Depending on the Material
Take the iPhone out of any case before cleaning it. Silicone, clear, polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane cases only need a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth on the outside and inside. The usual window cleaner, household cleaner, solvent and hydrogen peroxide warnings apply.
FineWoven and TechWoven cases take a mild soap solution, and the same method works on the Crossbody Strap.
- Mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid laundry detergent into 1 cup (250 mL) of water.
- Dip a lint-free cloth in the mixture, wring it out slightly and rub the case gently for 1 minute.
- Wipe the case with a separate cloth dampened with fresh water.
- Dry it with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth and remove any excess moisture.
The fabric may look different over time as the fibers compress, and some scratches fade on their own. Leather cases need more care because cleaning can change the color. If you decide to clean one, use a cloth with warm water and mild hand soap, and keep the case away from intense sunlight, heat and humidity. Water, oil, makeup and dyed materials such as denim can stain tanned leather.
Liquid Damage Is Not Covered by Apple’s Warranty
If liquid gets inside an Apple product, get help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store as soon as possible. Liquid damage is not covered under the Apple product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, although customers may still have rights under consumer law.
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