It may help to lay the cloth over the dull end of a toothpick to get more leverage in the tiny crevices around the lens cover. Just be extremely gentle so you don’t scratch the lens. Don’t use a cotton swab or tissue to clean the lens because the tiny fibers could break off and get stuck around the edges.
You can buy a microlens cleaning pen online or at most electronic stores. The tip of the brush is coated in a carbon compound that gets oils and dust off of the lens.
Never shake the canister before using it because it could liquify some of the air inside.
If you’re feeling brave, you can open it up yourself. Just know that there are a lot of sensitive parts in there that could get damaged.
Consider sticking a pop-up phone holder on the back of your phone so it’s easier to hold—it’ll keep your fingers far away from the lens cover.
The EyePatch phone case is a good option—it fits on iPhone 5, 6, 7, and X models. If you have an Android or other model, you may be able to find a slidable camera cover that sticks onto the front of your phone.
Of course, this won’t protect the lens from dust particles that are falling from the air, but it’s better than putting it right on top of a pile of dirt or dust.
If you carry a purse, consider lining one of the interior pockets with a small plastic baggie so your phone is fully protected.
It’s best to do this on a white table or over a white piece of paper so it’s easier to keep track of the screws. If you have an Android phone, you’ll need to flip it over, take out the battery, and unscrew the 6 screws holding the back plate in place. They’re located at the four corners of the phone and on the long sides near the middle. You can buy a screwdriver kit made especially for smartphones online or at some electronic stores.
Certain models don’t allow the backing to fully come off, so if you feel resistance at one of the corners, simply turn the uplifted backing of your phone to the side. You may need to use a spudger tool to unclip the back of the phone from the sides and top. If you don’t have a spudger, insert the edge of a credit card into the crack to separate the backing from the front of your phone.
This will give you access to the lens and the glass cover for the lens.
You can buy micro cleaning pens online or at most electronic supply stores.
While you may be used to shaking spray canisters, don’t shake it before you spray it. Shaking it up could cause the air to come out as a liquid and that’s definitely not what you want near the insides of your phone!
Be very gentle when you push down on the edges—don’t smack them together because it could damage the chips inside or the tiny lipped fasteners that hold your phone together.
The screws are really tiny so it helps if you have a pentalobe screwdriver with a magnetic tip so you can easily pick it up and put it in place.
