Technologies
Best Handheld Gaming Consoles Right Now
While the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck are the obvious choices for best handheld game consoles, we test out everything the portable game device market has to offer.
Our Experts
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
I’ve loved gaming, and particularly gaming handhelds, all of my life. I grew up with every variation of the Game Boy and Sega Game Gear, and more. At CNET, I’ve reviewed mobile gaming and handhelds going back to the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, through the launch of the iPhone and iPad, and up to the Switch 2. There are more handheld gaming options than ever, especially if you count phones and tablets. Here below are the best options right for dedicated handheld devices of all forms, and a look forward at what to expect in the next few years.
What is the best handheld game console overall?
It’s a tough time to pick winners, especially since there are so many types of different handhelds right now, but the Nintendo Switch 2 is a newcomer that’s wowed me with its graphics, its improved design, and Nintendo’s focus on making an already-popular Switch even better. The Switch 2 isn’t a necessary upgrade for everyone yet, and makes tradeoffs: Battery life is shorter than other Switch models, and there aren’t that many exclusive Switch 2 games yet. Still, the handheld’s got tons of new perks.
But I still love the Steam Deck, which remains one of the best-performing and versatile ways to play PC games on the go. The Steam Deck’s big and bulky — and a few years old now — but as a vehicle to play tons of interesting and well-optimized games on Steam, it’s a great option too.
Best gaming handhelds of 2025
Pros
- Slim design
- Large 1080p display
- Notably better graphics
- Great-feeling magnetic-attaching controllers
Cons
- MicroSD Express cards are hard to find right now
- Battery life is worse than the Switch’s
- Still needs more unique exclusives
Nintendo’s first true console successor to the Switch, the Switch 2 comes with all sorts of welcome upgrades, while keeping the concept and game compatibility with Switch mostly intact. The feel is more like a Windows handheld or Steam Deck, but slimmer, and its graphics upgrades both on handheld and TV-connected are notably better.
A new audio/video GameChat feature could be great for friends and family, the Joy-Cons are easier to snap on and off and double as versatile mice now for supported games, and the included 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display is a welcome improvement from the original Switch. It’s also still a unique perk over other handhelds that the Switch 2 comes with a TV dock and its detachable, shareable Joy-Cons, and the Switch 2 is backward compatible with Switch games and wireless controllers. It also looks capable of running games as advanced as those on Windows game handhelds and Steam Decks. And as always, Nintendo’s new console is family-friendly.
There are downsides, though, besides the price: Battery life is considerably worse than that of other Switches, lasting only a few hours before needing a recharge, and expandable storage requires more expensive and harder-to-find microSD Express cards.
You just may not need to make an upgrade yet, but the Switch 2 still stands out as the best new handheld system, and upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza should make it even better. Just keep in mind you’ll need to live in Nintendo’s world and play games from Nintendo’s eShop.
- Display: 7.9-inch, 1,920×1,080 LCD IPS (up to 120Hz)
- Storage: 256GB included, microSD Express card expandable
- Games: Switch and Switch 2 compatible
- TV connection: Yes, dock included (4K output)
- Size: 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 inches
- Weight: 1.18 pounds
- Wi-Fi: Yes (Wi-Fi 6)
- Bluetooth: Yes
Pros
- Vibrant HDR OLED display
- Runs many Steam games well
- Excellent controls, improved haptics
- Better battery life
Cons
- Large size
- Doesn’t have removable controllers
- Some Steam games don’t run on it
- Screen can sometimes feel small for some games
Valve’s big and versatile Steam Deck is still a marvel. Although it’s three years old now, it can still play a wide variety of PC games surprisingly well, and is the dream portable for any hardcore Steam fan, or anyone who has a big library of PC games. The Steam Deck can get expensive for the larger storage tiers, but for what it’s capable of, it’s not a bad deal. And, while third-party hardware manufacturers are starting to make SteamOS handhelds (the Lenovo Legion Go S is the first new option, and CNET’s Lori Grunin’s preferred pick over Steam Deck), the Steam Deck still has a standout set of controls, haptics, and trackpads that make it feel great for me.
The model to buy is the OLED version: while more expensive, its more vivid, slightly larger display, better haptics and improved battery life are worth it. The LCD model costs $399 with 256GB of storage, while the OLED models ramp up to $549 and $649, with 512GB and 1TB of storage, respectively. Steam game downloads can eat up a lot of space, so larger storage sizes are recommended unless you’re playing smaller indies.
While the Steam Deck runs Linux as opposed to Windows and Valve’s own SteamOS, you can load other software and hack other solutions onto the Steam Deck if you’re up for the effort. You can play local PC games or stream cloud-based games, and connect to a monitor, keyboard or other accessories, too.
One of my favorite parts of Steam Deck is how Valve indicates which Steam games are Steam Deck optimized in the store, helping remove the guesswork that can make Windows handhelds so frustrating. More options for PC gamers are popping up every month, but for now, Steam Deck is the best way to go.
- Display: 7.4-inch, 1,280×800 HDR OLED
- Storage: 512 or 1TB included, microSD card slot
- Games: Steam compatible
- TV connection: Yes, dock sold separately
- Size: 4.6 x 11.7 x 1.9 inches
- Weight: 1.41 pounds
- Wi-Fi: Yes (Wi-Fi 6E)
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Processor: AMD Zen 2 APU
- RAM: 16GB
Pros
- Supports a wider library of games than non-Windows devices
- Good performance for its components
- Paddles for macro combos and some basic Windows navigation
- Bumpers feel clicky and responsive
Cons
- Expensive
- Display doesn’t support HDR and only has sRGB gamut
- Pressing the ABXY buttons only registers in the center
- No trigger stops
If you prefer running Windows on a PC gaming handheld, there are multiple options. The best for now is the Asus ROG Ally X, which has solid-feeling controls, a 1080p display and a battery that lasts for at least several hours of play. It’s heavy, though, and expensive compared to the Steam Deck.
You’re also best off waiting for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, coming later this year, which promises streamlined performance for finding and launching Xbox games. But the big advantage of a Windows-based handheld is its flexibility running games from any source or game store, provided the games are compatible with this handheld’s AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor and integrated graphics.
- Display: 7-inch 1,920×1,080-pixel IPS LCD, 120Hz/60Hz
- Storage: 1TB included, microSD card slot
- Games: Windows 11 Home OS, can run games via any game store or Windows source
- TV connection: Via video-out
- Size: 11.02 x 4.37 x 1.45 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Wi-Fi: Yes (Wi-Fi 6E)
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Processor: 3.3GHz AMD Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 24GB
Pros
- Crisp LCD screen makes old games look great
- Plays Game Boy and Game Boy Advance cartridges
- Adds Game Gear, Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket with extra adapters
- USB-C charging
- Other extras include TV dock
Cons
- No Wi-Fi means sideloading OS updates via microSD card
- A little too big for most pockets
The Pocket looks like a totally remade Game Boy, and it is, in a sense. Analogue’s gorgeous handheld can play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges perfectly, and can even play Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket and Turbografx-16 games using separately sold adapters. It has a high-res color screen and USB-C charging, and there’s a separately sold dock for TV play.
There’s also support for FPGA cores that can replicate classic game hardware and play ROMs. There’s no game store for buying games: Pocket is a system to play classic cartridges or other games in amazing quality, if you want to tinker around with FPGA. There’s also a big library of Pocket-compatible software in indie gaming channels like itch.io that can be sideloaded to a microSD card, too.
The Pocket also comes in a lot of different colors, many of which sell out fast as limited editions. It still stands on its own as a wonderfully complete retro-capable handheld for collectors of classic cartridges.
- Display: 3.5-inch 1,600 x 1,440-pixel LCD
- Storage: microSD card slot
- Games: Plays classic Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance carts, or Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, Neo-Geo Pocket or Turbografx-16 carts with separately sold adapters. Can also sideload games.
- TV connection: Separately sold dock
- Size: 5.86 x 3.46 x 0.86 inches
- Weight: 0.6-pound
- Wi-Fi: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
The tiny, yellow, black-and-white-screened Panic Playdate looks like a weird Game Boy with a mechanical crank sprouting from its side. But this system, made by the game company that developed Untitled Goose Game, plays its own indie-developed games. Twenty-four of them come included with the purchase and appear over time like weekly presents, and a new second season of games has been equally good. More games can be bought on the Playdate’s on-handheld store (the tiny gadget has Wi-Fi), or sideloaded via sites like itch.io. Alas, the Playdate doesn’t have any backlighting — you’ll have to find a lamp instead.
Even three years into its debut, the Playdate has been a constant source of weird little mini-games. If you ever loved Nintendo’s classic Game and Watch and wanted something new that could fill a similar magical desire, and don’t mind being limited to the mysterious games and apps that developers have cooked up for this, the Playdate is a bit of genius that no other handheld can match.
- Display: 2.7-inch 400 x 240 pixel black-and-white reflective LCD (no backlighting)
- Storage: 4GB included
- Games: Plays games from Playdate online store or can sideload games installed via Playdate website
- TV connection: No
- Size: 2.99 x 2.91 x 0.35 inches
- Weight: 0.19-pound
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
Other gaming handhelds we’ve tested
Nintendo Switch OLED
This used to be our favorite Switch, and its battery life and vivid OLED are still good. But we’d recommend a Switch 2 purchase now over this expensive Switch model, unless you find it on sale.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The most affordable (and smallest) Switch lacks detachable controllers and TV docking capabilities, but it’s still a great pick as a lower-cost way to bring along Nintendo games on the go.
PlayStation Portal
Sony’s oddball streaming-only handheld companion to the PlayStation 5 is actually really good as an in-house way to extend your games on a remote screen with haptics and force-feedback triggers, but performance depends on internet connectivity.
ModRetro Chromatic
Possibly the best pure Game Boy recreation available, this well-built handheld has a great display and build quality, but it’s also pricey and can only play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam OS
An excellent Steam Deck alternative (and Lori Grunin’s preferred pick over the Steam Deck OLED), this handheld benefits from a larger display and a different control layout.
Lenovo Legion Go S with Windows
Laggy performance and an awkward Windows-on-a-handheld experience made this one feel forgettable.
How we test the best handheld gaming consoles
There are lots of ways to play games on the go, and many of them are extremely different from each other. Since the common threads are often pretty different, our goal is to think about the whole play experience as a relative versus other options. Price comes into play, as does gaming libraries. But also, we pay attention to battery life, which we judge by playing games over time. Ideally, that’s for at least a week, preferably more.
When appropriate, we’ll also look into benchmark testing, although that currently comes into play for Windows-based handhelds because of common benchmark apps that can run on the hardware.
Is the experience family-friendly? Is it portable enough? Is it possible to connect to a TV, and would you do it? These are all parts of the equation. Most importantly, it’s key to look at each gaming handheld on its own terms, versus direct comparisons to products it’s not really trying to emulate. For instance: the Panic Playdate and Steam Deck are extremely different beasts.
What’s the difference between all these gaming handhelds?
Phones and tablets already do a fine job of playing tons of great games and streaming games from consoles or the cloud. Dedicated devices can provide unique features, exclusive games or extra power to do things your phone can’t. The difference between types of game handhelds at the moment can feel vast, but let’s break it down into some clear categories. Handhelds can be full TV-connectable consoles, tinier versions of full PCs, or smaller, purpose-built ways to play retro games, indies, or even novelty experiences. Some are, like PCs and phones, built on more standard OS forms. Others are locked down.
The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
Nintendo’s consoles are a platform all unto their own. Nintendo locks down its hardware to only work with games bought in physical game card format or on Nintendo’s eShop, and the Switch and Switch 2 also require subscriptions for online play.
The Switch 2 can play nearly all the games that work on the Switch, with the exception of ones that either needed the original Switch dimensions (Nintendo Labo, if you can find it) or the original Joy-Con’s IR camera (Ring Fit Adventure, which works with Switch 2 if you pair original Joy-Cons to it wirelessly). It does have its own accessories and added functions: GameChat for talking to other Switch 2 owners, USB-connected camera support for games and chat, and the new Joy-Cons can work as optical mice with supported games. It works the same way the Switch does, but has better graphics and a larger screen, and worse battery life. To expand Switch 2 storage, you need to buy microSD Express cards, which are different from standard microSD.
PC game handhelds
A growing number of beefy handheld systems can run either full Windows OS onboard, or specific Linux-based SteamOS software. The Steam Deck, Asus Rog Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are the best current options and come in several forms and flavors.
Most of these handhelds run similar-performing types of AMD-based processors with integrated graphics which deliver surprising functional gaming on the go provided the games you’re playing are properly optimized. Valve makes this super easy on Steam Deck and on the new Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam OS, making it very clear on its Steam store which games are optimized to play well. On Windows handhelds, you gain the freedom of full Windows OS, and its complications. You could run any game from any source (and on SteamOS handhelds, with some tinkering, you could do this too), but your mileage will definitely vary. I’ve often had some games not run at all, or run so badly they were unplayable. Indie and smaller games are often great choices on handhelds for this reason.
Still, games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Spider-Man 2 and No Man’s Sky are a few of the games that are great to play on the go with these handhelds. Expect battery life to vary based on the type of game, and many of these handhelds are pretty heavy, too (up to 1.5 pounds). They can connect with monitors and accessories, too, but don’t come packaged with docks.
Retro handhelds
The Analogue Pocket and ModRetro Chromatic are remastered Game Boys for playing classic cartridges you might still have or buy. The Pocket can also play other game cartridges, and even emulations of games that can be sideloaded. The Evercade series of handhelds, alternatively, plays rereleased compilations of games on custom cartridges.
While the Pocket and Chromatic and Evercade models are geared towards physical cartridges, there are also tons of small handhelds that can play ROMs and emulated games. CNET doesn’t review those at the moment, but know that there’s a big space there to explore.
There’s also the weird stuff: the Panic Playdate is its own beast, a custom mini-handheld that plays its own library of games. There’s nothing else quite like it, but Nintendo’s limited edition Game & Watch re-releases come to mind.
Streaming handhelds
While Windows handhelds can stream games from sources like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, so can your phone or tablet. Another streaming option to consider is the PlayStation Portal, which only plays either PlayStation Plus streaming cloud games or streaming games via your PlayStation 5, but also adds haptics and force-feedback triggers. The future of gaming might be increasingly streaming, but for now, it’s a tool that lots of devices are throwing in the mix.
Your phone, or tablet
Tablets and phones are extremely valid game consoles: The iPad has tons of games on the App Store, and hundreds more on Apple’s subscription-based Apple Arcade. The iPad can pair with Bluetooth game controllers, too. iPhones and Android phones have tons of games as well, obviously, and a number of great game controller cases are available, including the Backbone and the Razer Kishi.
Phones and tablets also offer other advantages, including an ability to cloud-stream games on a growing number of services including Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus.
The Switch 2 was the big handheld console we were waiting on for years, and now that it’s here, don’t expect Nintendo to have a follow-up hardware variation for at least a couple of years.
Bigger changes are coming sooner in the PC handheld space. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally coming this fall promises to fix performance and experience problems on Windows-based game handhelds, and CNET’s early hands-on demos were promising. Microsoft may be working on its own dedicated Xbox handheld in the future, but nothing is imminent right now.
The Steam Deck could be due for a sequel in the next couple of years, but again, there’s no indication that big things are coming soon.
Sony looks like it’s dabbling in handhelds, too, although the PlayStation Portal is really a local streaming solution for playing games from a PlayStation 5. Will Sony make another PlayStation handheld someday? Again, it’s too early to tell, but you never know.
The Nintendo Switch is, by far, the best kids’ handheld experience. The Switch is family-friendly, shareable, and has its own TV dock and removable controllers. The Switch 2 is also family-friendly, and it’s compatible with older Switch wireless controllers and Joy-Cons, but its shorter battery life and more expensive price makes it a less perfect fit for kids right now than the classic Switch models.
Next to the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo Switch is the best-selling handheld game console ever, and one of the top consoles of all time. The Switch is still one of the best game systems out there right now, but we’d recommend buying the newer Switch 2, which is backward-compatible with almost all Switch games.
If you’re talking about pure graphics potential, the Nintendo Switch 2 shows the most promise right now. Its 4K and higher-framerate-ready modes when connected to a TV give it an edge over older PC handhelds like the Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds haven’t had a significant bump in processing/graphics power in the last couple of years. All these devices have similar capabilities to run more advanced games, but the Switch 2 has a far more limited library of Switch 2-enhanced games right now than Steam Deck or Windows handhelds.
CNET doesn’t review many emulation-capable handhelds at the moment, but there are lots of options out there. The Analogue Pocket can do it, and so can Windows handhelds and the Steam Deck.
Loading ROMs onto handhelds isn’t always intuitive and varies by hardware. There’s also a gray area between software piracy and the right to own ROMs of games you’ve already bought in physical form. We don’t offer guides on the process, but there are plenty of online resources.
- Sony PlayStation 5 review
- Microsoft Xbox Series X review
- Microsoft Xbox Series S review
- Nintendo Switch OLED review
- Meta Quest 2 review
- Valve Steam Deck review
See the latest CNET gaming coverage here.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 29, #483
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 29, No. 483.
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
I love today’s NYT Strands puzzle! It’s maybe a bit easier than usual once you understand the theme, but then it gets, well, really colorful. And the spangram even makes a themed shape! If you need hints and answers, read on.
I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Hue are my sunshine.
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Why are there so many songs about these?
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
- RAIN, SING, SIGN, ROLL, LINE, BILL, BAGS, GABS, HOUSE, GRAIN, RAINS
Answers for today’s Strands puzzle
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
- ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO, VIOLET
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is CHASINGRAINBOWS. To find it, look for the C that’s six letters down on the first row on the left, and wind around… in the shape of a rainbow! Nice one, puzzle-makers!
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 29, #279
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 279, for June 29.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition might be tough. But all you Hoosiers will nail the yellow category, I think. Read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Think Indianapolis.
Green group hint: Multitalented.
Blue group hint: They forgot Air Bud!
Purple group hint: Lace up your skates.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Indiana sports teams, in singular form.
Green group: Skills of a five-tool baseball player.
Blue group: Basketball movies.
Purple group: PWHL stars.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is Indiana sports teams, in singular form. The four answers are Boilermaker, Colt, Hoosier and Pacer.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is skills of a five-tool baseball player. The four answers are fielding, power, speed and throwing.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is basketball movies. The four answers are Air, Blue Chips, Glory Road and He Got Game.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is PWHL stars. The four answers are Fast, Fillier, Knight and Poulin.
Technologies
Your Phone’s a Germ Magnet. How to Disinfect It Properly
Want to keep your iPhone or Android germ-free? Follow these phone cleaning tips.
Your phone goes everywhere with you — on your commute, your lunch break, even the bathroom (don’t lie). But for something that spends so much time in your hands and against your face, it’s probably way dirtier than you think. In fact, studies have shown that the average smartphone can carry more germs than a toilet seat. Yeah, really.
All that touching, tapping, swiping and setting it down on random surfaces adds up fast. If you’re not regularly disinfecting your phone, you’re basically carrying a pocket-sized petri dish. The good news? Cleaning it the right way is quick, easy and doesn’t require fancy gear. Here’s how to sanitize your device safely — without damaging the screen or frying your electronics..
The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it’s crucial to use the right cleaning techniques.
We’ll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, from iPhones to Samsungs, and whatever their level of water resistance may be.
For more cleaning tips, here’s how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods.
What are the best products for daily cleaning?
After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public — such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps — you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen.
Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too.
Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen’s coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it.
What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup?
Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains.
Get rid of fingerprints
Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well.
Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping.
Remove sand and small particles
Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone’s ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup.
For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too.
Cleanse makeup off your phone screen
When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you’ll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it’s not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens.
Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water.
What if my phone is waterproof?
For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it’s best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water — even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time.
Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning.
Things to avoid when cleaning your phone
We’ve already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren’t a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone:
- Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone.
- Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches.
- Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen.
- Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it’s best to stick to a damp cloth.
- Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen’s coating.
- Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone’s portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air.
For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
