5 Ways to Protect Your Phone Camera Lens

Scratched camera lenses on your phone can do more than compromise your photos; they can interfere with apps like facial recognition or QR scans. 


But what can you do to protect your phone camera lens from damage to begin with? Are phone camera lens protectors really necessary?


We’ll go over how to protect your phone camera lens, plus give you the info needed to decide which type of phone camera lens protector is best for you.

Protect Your Phone Camera Lens – and Your Photos

How much damage can phone camera lenses take? Not much. 


To protect lenses, many phone manufacturers put them in pockets or recesses in the back of the phone or place a small window of glass in front of the lenses. Any contact could harm the lens. 


Contact from soft objects might not seem like a problem, but dust can contain particles of metal or minerals that are harder than the lens. This can result in microscopic scratches, which can accumulate over time. 


You may see streaks or spots begin to appear in the same places on your photos. This isn’t even accounting for scratches you can get from contact with sharp objects like your keys, sand, and even dirt. 


That’s why it’s so important to learn how to protect your iPhone or other smartphone camera lens from scratches. You don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your photography or videos for anything!

 

How to Protect Your Phone Camera Lens

There are plenty of ways to protect your smartphone’s camera lens — but which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at a few simple solutions that’ll keep your lens safe from scratches, bumps, and any other kinds of damage:

 

1. Use a Protective Case


One of the easiest ways to protect your phone camera lens is by using a protective phone case.They not only keep your phone safe in general but they may help protect your camera lens. 


You want to look for a case with a raised bezel, which essentially means that the case has a sort of ridge that surrounds the camera lens. These cases provide a buffer between your lens and hard surfaces so the case is what’s making contact — not the lens.


2. Try Using a Screen Protector


Need to know how to protect your phone camera lens when you already have a case? Try using a screen protector!


While it’s true that their primary function is to protect your screen from damage, they’re helpful for front phone camera lenses, too! 


Some screen protectors provide edge-to-edge protection that covers your front lens and your display. They may be made with plastic film, tempered glass, and advanced materials like Glass XTR3


3. Use a Lens Protector


Want to know how to protect your phone camera lens completely? Lens protectors are your answer. 


Lens protectors are small, removable, and made of high-quality materials like tempered glass or polyurethane. They’re designed to prevent cracks and scratches from forming on your lens. Lens protectors fit over the front or back lenses of your phone and are designed for specific models. 


Are phone camera lens protectors necessary? That depends on the level of protection you’re looking for. If you’re a photography enthusiast, you may want another layer of protection so you don’t need to spend extra time editing those frustrating scratches on your images.


Not all lens protectors are created equally, so make sure you choose a lens protector from a reputable manufacturer, like ZAGG, to prevent any distortion and maintain image clarity. GlassFusion lens protectors for Apple products are a popular solution for many iPhone users.


4. Clean Your Phone Camera Lens Regularly


Wondering how to protect your phone camera lens without a lens protector? Besides using a protective case or screen protector, you’re going to want to clean your lenses. 


Just like with SLR and DSLR cameras, the smudges and other imperfections on phone camera lenses can impact image quality or even cause permanent damage if they’re never cleaned. 


Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe your camera lens; never use any harsh cleaners or chemicals, which can ruin your lens.


5. Avoid Contact with Sand, Dirt, & Sharp Objects


Accidental drops and bumps aren’t the only things that can damage your phone camera lens. They may seem innocuous, but sand and dirt can scratch your lens, leaving you with distorted photos. If you’re taking pictures or using your phone outdoors, try to avoid getting sand or dirt anywhere near your lens. 


You also want to be careful where you put your phone when it’s not in use. Small items in your pocket or bag, like keys, can scratch your lens without you even realizing it!

 

ZAGG 360-Degree Protection

You don’t have to sit and wonder how to protect your smartphone camera lens from scratches. Take protection into your own hands with one or more of these helpful tips from the phone protection experts at ZAGG. 


Take your best photos with phone camera lens protectors, protective cases, and more — ZAGG is all about creating 360-degree protection for your phone. Contact ZAGG customer service if you need help finding a lens protection solution for your device and lifestyle!

FAQs

They can — but it depends on the quality of the phone camera lens protector. Lesser-quality lens protectors can cause light diffraction, which reduces overall image quality, clarity, and sharpness. High-quality phone camera lens protectors are designed to reduce this diffraction and distortion, so your pictures have the same clarity they’d have without a lens protector.
You don’t have to choose between protecting your smartphone or iPhone camera lens and using a phone case. You can use both a lens protector and a case. Phone cases still expose your camera lens, meaning you can attach a phone camera lens protector for the best protection for your phone. Are phone camera lens protectors necessary with a case? You don’t necessarily need one if your case has a raised bevel, but it’s still beneficial for an extra layer of protection against sand, dirt, and sharp objects.
One of the easiest solutions for how to protect your phone camera lens is regular cleaning. All you need to do is wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth. You don’t want to use tissues or paper towels; tissue can leave dust particles on your lens and paper towels can scratch your lens! While you can clean your lens with household wipes, you should be cautious with this method — it can leave streaks on your lens.
Yes. If you’ve been searching for a solution to protect your phone camera lens, this is it! Phone camera lens protectors are necessary, especially if you’re a photography or video enthusiast. From dust to debris, phone camera lenses are exposed to a lot of things as you go on adventures and take snapshots along the way. High-quality phone camera lens protectors will safeguard against scratches, cracks, and any other damage, all without affecting image clarity.