Technologies

Sure, You Clean Your Bathroom, But When’s the Last Time You Cleaned Your Phone?

Carrying your phone everywhere comes with a germy price.

Your phone is probably the dirtiest thing you touch all day. From sweaty gym sessions to bathroom breaks and everything in between, it collects germs fast and holds onto them. Studies show that the average smartphone can be dirtier than a toilet seat, carrying bacteria you definitely don’t want on your hands or near your face.

If you’re not disinfecting it regularly, you’re likely spreading that buildup without even realizing it. The good news is you don’t need pricey gadgets or special gear to clean it. With a soft cloth and a safe cleaning solution, you can wipe away bacteria without damaging your screen.

Here’s how to clean your phone properly so it stays germ-free and your hands stay a little less gross.

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.

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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.

Technologies

I Roamed the Streets of Paris With the New Pixel 10 Pro XL and It Was Magnifique

Google’s new flagship Android phones are not a radical departure from last year’s models, but that’s fine. There’s plenty to take on the upcoming iPhone 17.

I’m accustomed to testing new phones, but when the opportunity came up to get an advance look at the Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL in Paris, I leaped at the chance. I’ve been using the new features and extensively trying the 10 Pro XL’s camera, and so far, I’m pleased with what I’m seeing.

If you’re expecting a totally new generation of Google Pixel devices with the 10 Pro, you may be disappointed. The Pixel 10 Pro is an evolution of its predecessor rather than a complete overhaul. And that’s fine.

Read more: Everything Announced at Made by Google 2025

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro impressed me when it launched last year, and it certainly doesn’t require a radical transformation just one generation later. The newest Pixel model keeps the 9 Pro’s slick design and awesome camera system, while the latest Android 16 software brings a host of new updates. There’s also the new Tensor G5 processor, which Google says is faster and more power-efficient than the G4 chip found in last year’s model.

I Still Love the Look of Google’s New Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL

+20 More

See all photos

Yes, some of the Pixel 10 Pro’s new features are based around various new AI tools. The camera, in particular, increasingly incorporates AI into the way you take pictures. Whether that’s good or bad is up to you to decide. At least that triple rear camera array can take stunning images, as I found out.

The Pixel 10 Pro with 128GB of storage costs $999 (£999, AU$1,699), while the 10 Pro XL starts at $1,199 (£1,199, AU$1,999) with 256GB of storage. Both go on sale on Aug. 28, but you can preorder them now. While it might seem that the XL’s starting price is $100 higher than last year’s model, Google eliminated the lower 128GB storage option. While you’re paying more for the bigger screen, you’re also getting double the storage.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

Google 10 Pro vs. 10 Pro XL: What’s the difference?

To be honest, there’s very little difference between the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. They look almost identical, except for the XL model being slightly bigger. The XL model incorporates a 6.8-inch display into its larger frame, giving a bit more space to play games or watch videos than the standard 6.3-inch 10 Pro. The extra size also allows for a marginally heftier battery (5,200 mAh versus 4,870 mAh), while the XL also offers slightly faster 45-watt wired charging.

Otherwise, the core specs are basically the same. Both models share the same Tensor G5 chip and have 16GB of RAM. The camera hardware on the back and front is identical. The choice between the two comes down to whether you prefer big-screen phones for more immersive gaming or something more pocket-friendly.

Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL cameras: Solid performance with AI additions

Both Pro models use the same rear camera setup, which includes a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.68 aperture, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. While I haven’t put the cameras through a full suite of tests, I took hundreds of photos with the 10 Pro XL in Paris, and I was impressed.

Photos from the main camera are bright, pin-sharp and vibrant. Exposure is handled extremely well, with bright skies kept under control and shadow detail clearly visible. Sometimes, images can look a little bit too HDR with unnaturally lightened shadows, but this is par for the course for most phone cameras, and I’ve certainly seen worse.

The ultrawide camera performs similarly well, with little to no color shift when swapping between lenses, which is good to see.

The 5x optical zoom remains an ideal sweet spot in terms of focal length, giving just enough zoom to help you find more creative compositions in whatever scene you’re facing. Images are sharp and share the same spot-on handling of color and exposure as the main lens. If 5x zoom isn’t enough for you, the Pixel lets you take things much further.

You can digitally zoom in to 10x, with the resulting image simply being slightly upscaled by the phone’s software. Shots look great at this length, and continue to look decent up to 30x. Beyond this point, though, the AI takes over (Google calls it ProRes Zoom) and goes beyond simply upscaling the details. ProRes Zoom actually uses generative AI to try to recreate what it thinks should be in the scene.

I took a variety of photos at 100x zoom, and the difference between the original image and the AI version is significant. Most of the time, it actually worked quite well, especially when I was just taking zoomed-in shots overlooking Paris, as the ProRes Zoom is optimized for static subjects like buildings and landscapes.

I was a bit amused when I took a 100x shot of a plane going overhead. The AI recomposed it into an odd sort of bundle of sticks. However, I’m glad it didn’t identify my blurry shot as a plane and simply superimpose a picture of a Boeing 737 over the top.

That does bring up an important question: if the phone is using generative AI to recreate details in a scene, is it really a photo that you’re taking? Google is certainly trying to get ahead of some of the moral issues here in that it says this AI tool will not be applied to faces «to prevent inaccurate representations.»

The ProRes Zoom isn’t the only place you’ll find AI in the camera, either. Camera Coach uses AI to analyze the scene in front of you and give you a series of guided prompts on how to take a better photo. If you’re taking a portrait, for example, it may suggest putting more of the person in the frame. I used it a few times on my photo walk through Paris, and I can see it being a fun tool for photography newbies to play around with. Still, it felt a bit slow and clunky to be of much use in a quicker photography scenario. Time will tell if Camera Coach becomes a genuinely useful resource for improving photography or not.

There’s also the Auto Best Take feature, which automatically merges together the best shots of faces in a group to ensure none of your friends have their eyes closed or are squinting. Best Take was introduced on the Pixel 8 phones and required some manual work, whereas the new version does most of the work for you.

Now, you can also use AI to edit your photos via text prompts like «erase the crowds» or «fix the lighting.» It remains to be seen how it handles my prompt to «make me look ten years younger, slimmer, more handsome and wealthy, and also put cats everywhere.»

Google 10 Pro: Design and display

Though the Pixel 10 Pro’s design hasn’t changed much since the Pixel 9 Pro, that’s fine. The 9 Pro was a great-looking phone with a really slick feel, and these phones don’t need to be revolutionized every single year. Google knew it had a good thing, so it’s sticking with it for another generation at least.

The polished metal edges, frosted glass back and isolated camera bar continue to look and feel satisfyingly premium. The IP68 rating will help keep it safe from accidentally spilled drinks. The back of the phone is now magnetic, allowing its use with wireless chargers or other magnetic accessories. Google calls this Pixel Snap, but it’s basically the same as Apple’s MagSafe on the iPhone. It should be compatible with MagSafe and other Qi2-supported products.

The 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL’s displays can now reach 3,300 nits peak brightness, and both looked bright and sharp during my hands-on time. While I only got to use the 10 Pro indoors, the XL’s display was more than bright enough to let me take pictures under the shining midday Paris sun.

Google 10 Pro: Android 16 and AI tools

The phones will launch with the latest Android 16, featuring various upgrades. Chief among these is the new Material 3 Expressive interface, with changes to animations, texts, icons, menu layout and other elements to give a more refined, easier-to-use experience.

I already like the Pixel 9 Pro’s stock Android look. As a result, I find the model extremely easy to use, and I’m excited by what I’ve seen of Android 16 so far. It’s not a total overhaul, but it looks like there are a lot of subtle improvements to help make Android feel a bit more usable in everyday life. I’m looking forward to spending more time with it when I get the phone for the full review.

AI is, unsurprisingly, a major part of the Pixel 10 Pro line, with various new AI tools being introduced. Magic Cue, for example, aims to automatically surface relevant information when you need it. Say you’re texting a friend and they ask for details about the camping trip you have coming up. Magic Cue will see this request and can pull up relevant information from Gmail, such as confirmation messages for the campsite and details you two have discussed. It can share that without making you switch apps to find it yourself.

Calling an airline to alter a booking? Magic Cue will recognize the phone number and automatically pull up your flight details so you have them ready. It certainly sounds like a helpful tool, though I do wonder exactly how useful it will be. Magic Cue only pulls info from certain Google apps (Gmail, Messages, Calendar and your screenshots), but not from third-party apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. So if you tend to mostly chat outside of Google services, its use might be more limited. As always, I’m excited to delve deeper when I get the phone in my hand.

There’s a host of other new AI tools including a real-time voice translation tool when you’re making phone calls. Existing tools like Gemini Advanced, Circle to Search and Pixel Studio (the generative-AI image maker) are also on board as standard.

The base Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL all run the new Tensor G5 chip, but the two Pro models also get 16GB of RAM for some extra multitasking prowess, compared to 8GB on the standard Pixel 10. How this silicon performs on our suite of benchmark tests — as well as for gaming and other demanding uses — remains to be seen. Google has made various boasts of the G5 chip’s significant power increase, both in the CPU and GPU.

According to Google, all new Pixel 10 models will receive seven years of software and security updates. That means these phones will be safe to use until at least 2032, as long as you look after them properly.

Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL: Battery and Qi2 charging

Each phone should provide at least a full day of battery life. You might expect a bit more longevity from the larger battery of the XL model, but bear in mind that it also has a bigger, brighter display to power, which will suck away more of the juice over the course of the day.

Battery life on the 9 Pro was basically average, and to be honest, that’s fine if that’s the case again. As long as I can make it into the evening without desperately hunting for a charger to see me to bedtime, I’m happy. Almost all phones demand a full recharge every night, and I don’t expect that to change here.

What is different, though, is the implementation of Qi2 technology, the latest version of the wireless charging standard that promises faster charging times when used with a compatible charger (up to 25 watts). Wired charging is faster, too, with the 10 Pro supporting 30-watt charging and the 10 Pro XL taking that further to 45 watts. Google says the XL model will go from empty to 70% full in around 30 minutes, which will certainly come in handy if you’re running low on power when getting ready for a big night out.

Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL: Are they worth buying?

The new Pixel 10 Pro series isn’t a big overhaul from the last generation, so those of you with a Pixel 9 Pro don’t need to consider upgrading. Probably ditto for anyone with the Pixel 8 Pro.

If, however, you have a much older Pixel model or other Android phone — or if you’re looking for a change from Apple — you should consider Google’s new phones.

The design of the Pixel 10 Pro series remains slick. The cameras performed well in our early tests, and the new AI-based tools like Magic Cue appear to be genuinely useful. Throw in the faster charging speeds, long software support and promised upgrades to the overall performance, and the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are shaping up to be superb flagship Android phones.

Google Pixel 10 Pro specs vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 10

	Google Pixel 10 Pro	Google Pixel 10 Pro XL	Google Pixel 9 Pro	Google Pixel 9 Pro XL	Google Pixel 10
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate	6.3-inch LTPO OLED; 2,856×1,280 pixels; 1 to 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.8-inch LTPO OLED; 2,992×1,344 pixels; 1 to 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.3-inch LTPO OLED; 2,856×1,280 pixels; 1 to 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.8-inch LTPO OLED; 2,992×1,344 pixels; 1 to 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60 to 120 Hz variable refresh rate
Pixel density	495 ppi	486 ppi	495 ppi	486 ppi	422 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in	6.4 x 3 x 0.3 in	6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in	6.4 x 3 x 0.3 in	6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters)	152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm	162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm	152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm	162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm	152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	207 g (7.3 oz)	232 g (8.2 oz)	199 g (7 oz)	221 g (7.8 oz)	204 g (7.2 oz)
Mobile software	Android 16	Android 16	Android 14	Android 14	Android 16
Camera	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)	48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide), 10.8-megapixel (5x telephoto)
Front-facing camera	42-megapixel	42-megapixel	42-megapixel	42-megapixel	10.5-megapixel
Video capture	8K	8K	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor G5	Google Tensor G5	Google Tensor G4	Google Tensor G4	Google Tensor G5
RAM + storage	16GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	16GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	None	None
Battery	4,870 mAh	5,200 mAh	4,700 mAh	5,060 mAh	4,970 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Under display	Under display	Under display	Under display
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None	None	None	None
Special features	Gorilla Glass 2 Victus cover glass; 3,300 nits peak brightness; Satellite SOS; Dual-eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 6; 30W fast charging (wall charger not included); Qi2 15W wireless charging; support for PixelSnap magnetic accessories; Google VPN; Pro Res zoom up to 100x; Camera Coach; Add Me; Macro mode; Face Unblur; Auto Best Take; High-Res Portrait mode; IP68 rating for dust and water resistance; 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates; Corning Gorilla GlassVictus 2 silky matte back with polished finish aluminum frame; ultrawideband chip	Gorilla Glass 2 Victus cover glass; 3,300 nits peak brightness; Satellite SOS; Dual-eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 6; 45W fast charging (wall charger not included); Qi2.2 25W wireless charging; support for PixelSnap magnetic accessories; Google VPN; Pro Res zoom up to 100x; Camera Coach; Add Me; Macro mode; Face Unblur; Auto Best Take; High-Res Portrait mode; IP68 rating for dust and water resistance; 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates; Corning Gorilla GlassVictus 2 silky matte back with polished finish aluminum frame; ultrawideband chip	Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; IP68 dust and water resistance; video boost with 8K upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 27W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor	Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; IP68 dust and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K Upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 37W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor	Gorilla Glass 2 Victus cover glass; 3,000 nits peak brightness; Satellite SOS; Dual-eSIM; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 6; 30W fast charging (wall charger not included); Qi2 15W wireless charging; support for PixelSnap magnetic accessories; Google VPN; Super Res Zoom up to 20x; Camera Coach; Add Me; Macro mode; Face Unblur; Auto Best Take; IP68 rating for dust and water resistance; 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 polished back with satin finish aluminum frame
US price starts at	$999 (128GB)	$1,199 (256GB)	$999 (128GB)	$1,099 (128GB)	$799 (128GB)

Technologies

The Pixel 10 Pro XL Goes to Paris: Out of Hundreds of Photos, These Are My Favs

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for the Friday, Aug. 22, Domino-Shaped Puzzle

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 22. It’s an odd one, shaped like a domino to mark the new NYT dominos game, Pips.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword is a doubled-up crossword puzzle, shaped like a domino. That must be the Times celebrating their new dominos puzzle, Pips, which I have yet to try. Need answers for today’s very unusual Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.