How to Protect the iPhone 11 Camera

With every new phone, manufacturers like Apple create bigger and better cameras. These cameras also come with the unfortunate downside of increased fragility, and scratching up your new iPhone is a scary prospect. Fortunately, you can cover the lenses with a lens protector for a simple barrier that shields any iPhone 11 camera from falls and scratches. Lens protectors are also pairable with full phone cases for additional damage resistance. With the camera safe and secure, you can continue to capture memories on your iPhone 11.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Installing a Lens Protector

1
Select a lens protector that fits over your iPhone model. Apple makes several versions of the iPhone 11 and they all have different cameras. The regular iPhone 11 has a pair of camera lenses on the back. The Pro and Pro Max models have 3 lenses and require a different type of protector to match. Lens protectors come in a variety of different styles as well.^{[1]XResearch source}
- A standard lens protector is a square cover that fits over all of the lenses at once. They are available in plastic and metal versions.
- Some protectors are small circles of plastic that stick over each individual lens.
- You can get lens protectors online. Some electronics retailers also carry them.
2
Clean the lens using a lens cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Dip the cloth in a little bit of isopropyl alcohol to lightly dampen it. Take care to avoid getting any moisture inside the camera and any other openings on the phone. Make sure the lens is free of debris before attempting to cover it with a protector.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have isopropyl alcohol, use warm water instead. A liquid lens cleaner will also work.
- Wipe the lenses with something soft, like a lint-free cloth or a cotton swab. Avoid using anything abrasive that could scratch your phone’s delicate lenses.
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3
Dry the lens off with a clean, lint-free cloth. Use a dry edge of the lens cloth or get a different cloth if yours is dirty. Scrub off any remaining moisture and debris. Make sure the camera is clean and streak-free before fitting the protector over it.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you used isopropyl alcohol, most of it will dry off on its own right away. Water lasts a little longer, so be sure to clear all of it off with a cloth.
- Any debris left on the lenses could get trapped under the protector, so double-check that they look clear. Install the protector right away before more dust or debris has a chance to accumulate on your phone.
4
Peel off the protector’s adhesive backing to cover the camera lens. If you’re using one of the big, square protectors, align the openings with your phone’s lenses. The iPhone 11 has 2 lenses on the left, while the Pro models have a third one to the right. Rotate the protector until it matches the layout on the back of your phone. Then, press it down on top of the lenses.^{[4]XResearch source}
- The iPhone 11 also has a white circle for flash photography and a tiny black dot that serves as a microphone. These are in different places depending on the model you have, so make sure they aren’t covered by the lens protector.
- If you’re using small protectors for each lens, peel off the backing and place them individually on the lenses.
5
Push down on the edges of the lens protector to secure it in place. Run your finger around the edge of each lens protector. Push down with a firm amount of force the entire time to force out any air stuck underneath. Make sure the protectors are completely flat, forming a seal around each lens.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Lens protectors are small enough that you can still use a protective case to secure the rest of your iPhone
- To remove an old lens protector, try peeling it from the corners. If that doesn’t work, use something small and dull, like a toothpick to lift up one of the corners. Peel it off by hand afterward.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Phone Case

1
Select a case that matches the size of your iPhone. The iPhone 11, comes in regular, Pro, and Pro Max versions. In addition to size, cases vary a lot by style. If you’re looking for the maximum amount of protection, get a shell case that encloses the entire phone, including the camera lenses. Some versions are thin enough that you can still operate your phone’s touchscreen through them, so you don’t have to take it out until you’re ready to clean it.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Bumper cases fit around the phone, usually leaving the screen and lenses exposed. They’re good for protecting against drops, but they don’t resist debris all that well and benefit from occasional cleaning.
- If you’re looking for more style and protection, try getting a flip case. It closes around your phone like a wallet, keeping the lenses covered until you need to use the camera.
2
Unplug and shut off the phone before cleaning it. Hold down the side button on the right side of the phone as well as one of the power buttons on the left. Watch for a slider to appear on the screen. Drag the slider to the left and wait about 30 seconds as the phone shuts down. Make sure the phone is off before attempting to clean it with any sort of moisture.^{[7]XResearch source}
- You probably paid good money for your phone and have a lot of important stuff stored on it. It’s no fun to run into phone problems while trying to install protection, so take all possible precautions to avoid them while cleaning.
- Remove the charging cable so that your phone isn’t receiving electricity, since it could lead to problems if some of the parts get wet.
3
Wipe the phone clean with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Use a lens cloth to ensure the screen and camera lenses don’t get scratched. Dampen the cloth lightly in isopropyl alcohol, then wipe the phone clean. Start with the screen and lenses first, then move on to the charging port and other areas.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you encounter some stubborn crud, mix about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of a liquid dish detergent into warm water. Scrub it off with a clean, lint-free cloth dampened in the soapy mixture.
- Use sparing amounts of water and wipe the phone clean with gentle pressure. For the port, you can blow out debris with a can of compressed air purchased online or from an electronics retailer.
4
Use a clean, lint-free cloth to dry off the phone. Isopropyl alcohol dries pretty quickly on its own. If you didn’t apply much of it, you won’t have a lot to scrub off. Make sure the cloth you use is clean so it doesn’t leave any new debris on the camera lens and screen. Check the phone all over to ensure it’s clean and dry.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Any debris left behind could get stuck under the case and end up scratching the screen or lenses.
- Fit the phone in the case right away, before dust has time to settle on it. If you put your phone back in your pocket, it could end up with more debris that has to be washed off again.
5
Fit the phone inside the protective case and close it. Find the bottom half of the case first. It will have a big, square opening on it for the camera lenses. Place the phone in, then cover it with the top half of the case. Rotate the top half of the case so its button covers fit over the buttons on the side of your phone.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you have a rubber case, pull back the edges to fit the phone inside. Rubber cases also have a big opening for the lenses, and you can use it to figure out how to position the phone.
- Note that some plastic cases don’t have a built-in screen protector
6
Install screen and lens protectors if your case doesn’t include them. You can use adhesive screen and lens protectors. For the lens protector, align it with the lenses on the back of the phone, then press it flat. Align the screen protector with the front camera at the top edge of the screen.
- Even if you don’t get separate protectors, the phone case will help protect the camera lenses a little bit. It can’t stop direct scratches, but it reduces the chances of damage from loose debris and drops.
- Most screen protectors fit around the front lens. The case insulates it from debris and cracks, but it can still get scratched if you’re not careful. Wipe it clean if you notice it getting dirty.
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Tips

Clean your iPhone from time to time to prevent the camera from getting smudged or scratched. If you use a phone case, remember to clear off any debris that has slipped underneath it.
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Prevent scratches by carrying your iPhone separately from coins and keys.
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If your iPhone gets damaged, Apple may be able to fix it. However, repairs can be costly or even impossible for extensive damage.
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Warnings

Moisture could damage your phone if it gets inside while you’re cleaning. For safety, always power down your phone and unplug it before cleaning.
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