Electronics

How to Clean an iPad Screen, Case, and Keyboard

An iPad's display has an oleophobic coating that reduces fingerprints but can be worn down by abrasive wiping and unsuitable cleaners. Cases and keyboards also trap grit against the glass, while USB-C openings and camera rings should remain dry. Apple recommends a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth for standard iPad models and specifically rules out window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, and hydrogen-peroxide cleaners. The iPad Pro with nano-texture glass has its own polishing-cloth procedure, so identify that option before cleaning.

Published · Updated

Primary reference: Apple: How to clean your Apple products. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

Standard glass
Use a soft lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water when needed.
Nano-texture
Use Apple's Polishing Cloth; 70% IPA only for infrequent stubborn marks.
Accessories
Remove them and follow the specific Pencil, Magic Keyboard, polyurethane, silicone, or leather method.
Avoid
No direct spray, window cleaner, ammonia, peroxide cleaner, abrasives, compressed air, or liquid in openings.
Ready when
Display edge, ports, speakers, connectors, Pencil, keyboard, and case are dry and grit-free.

What you will need

  • Two clean, soft, lint-free microfiber cloths
  • The supplied Apple Polishing Cloth for nano-texture iPad Pro displays
  • Fresh water
  • Optional 70% isopropyl alcohol for infrequent nano-texture smudges as Apple specifies
  • A clean, dry, soft-bristle brush for loose case debris only
  • A clean towel and ventilated room-temperature drying area
  • The exact care instructions for the installed case, keyboard, or screen protector

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Identify standard or nano-texture glass

Check the purchase configuration or Settings details to determine whether an iPad Pro has nano-texture glass. Nano-texture models should use Apple's supplied Polishing Cloth, while standard glass uses a soft lint-free cloth. Also identify any screen protector, because its manufacturer—not the iPad rule—determines what can be used on its top surface.

Step 2: Shut down and remove accessories

Unplug every cable, turn the iPad off, detach Apple Pencil, and remove the case or Magic Keyboard. Work on a clean towel. If the screen is cracked, the case is bent, the battery is swollen, or the USB-C port is burned or damaged, do not add moisture; arrange service.

Step 3: Dry-wipe loose dust and fingerprints

Use a clean soft lint-free cloth on standard glass, moving loose grit away before applying pressure. The screen's oleophobic coating naturally wears with use, and abrasive material speeds that wear. Do not use paper towels, rough cloth, scrubbing pads, or repeated hard polishing.

Step 4: Damp-wipe a standard iPad

Lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water and wring it so it cannot drip. Wipe the display and exterior, keeping moisture out of the USB-C or Lightning port, speakers, microphones, Smart Connector, buttons, and camera openings. Apple says not to use window or household cleaners, compressed air, aerosols, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or hydrogen-peroxide cleaners on iPad.

Step 5: Clean nano-texture glass with its polishing cloth

Use only the Apple Polishing Cloth supplied with the nano-texture iPad Pro for ordinary dust and smudges. For an infrequent hard-to-remove mark, Apple permits moistening that cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Do not pour or spray IPA, substitute another cloth, or use the alcohol treatment as an everyday routine.

Step 6: Clean cameras, speakers, and the charging port dry

Use a clean dry corner of the lint-free cloth on camera glass and around speaker openings. Wipe only the outer rim of the charging port and Smart Connector. Do not insert a swab, pick, brush, or liquid into any opening, and do not use compressed air. A blocked or damaged connector needs service.

Step 7: Wipe Apple Pencil in the correct direction

Apple says to use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth and wipe the Apple Pencil body from the tip end toward the other end. Do not wipe the tip itself or the USB-C connector on Apple Pencil (USB-C), and do not allow moisture inside the body. Dry it before magnetic attachment or charging.

Step 8: Clean the case or keyboard separately

For polyurethane Smart Covers, Smart Keyboard products, and silicone cases, remove the iPad and use a soft slightly damp lint-free cloth. Apple permits a 70% IPA wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe on iPad Magic Keyboard, while still prohibiting moisture in openings and submersion. Leather covers need their separate leather method and may change color when cleaned.

Step 9: Dry all contact surfaces

Use a second dry cloth, then leave the iPad and accessories apart in moving room-temperature air. Inspect the display perimeter, speakers, microphones, camera rings, Smart Connector, charging port, keyboard hinge, and case corners. Do not reassemble while moisture or grit can be trapped against the iPad.

Step 10: Reassemble without forcing connectors

Reconnect the dry Magic Keyboard or case, attach Apple Pencil only when dry, and insert a dry cable plug with normal light pressure. If a plug does not seat easily, stop and inspect rather than forcing it. Turn the iPad on and check touch, cameras, speakers, charging, and accessory connection.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

Can I use alcohol wipes on an iPad screen?
Apple's general product guidance permits certain disinfecting wipes on hard nonporous Apple surfaces, but the iPad's standard cleaning method is a slightly damp lint-free cloth. For nano-texture iPad Pro, Apple specifically allows 70% IPA on the supplied Polishing Cloth only for infrequent stubborn smudges.
How do I know if my iPad has nano-texture glass?
Nano-texture is a selected configuration on supported iPad Pro models, not the normal finish on every iPad. Check your order or device specification. If uncertain, use only a clean dry soft cloth until the finish is confirmed.
Can I use window cleaner on an iPad?
No. Apple says not to use window cleaners, household cleaners, ammonia, aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or hydrogen-peroxide cleaners on iPad. Apply only the approved liquid to the cloth, never directly to the device.
How do I clean an iPad USB-C port?
Turn the iPad off and use a dry lint-free cloth only around the outer rim. Do not insert a cotton swab, metal pick, paper, brush, or liquid and do not use compressed air. A damaged or obstructed port needs service.
Can I use a Clorox wipe on iPad Magic Keyboard?
Apple permits a 70% IPA wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe on iPad Magic Keyboard. Remove the iPad first, avoid moisture in openings, do not submerge the keyboard, and wipe it dry.
How do I clean an Apple Pencil?
Use a soft slightly damp lint-free cloth and wipe the body from the tip end toward the other end. Do not wipe the tip itself or the USB-C connector on the USB-C model, and keep moisture out of the Pencil.
Why does my iPad screen still look streaky?
A cloth loaded with oil often spreads film. Use a freshly cleaned lint-free cloth, make a light water-dampened pass on standard glass, and finish with a separate dry section. Use the supplied Polishing Cloth on nano-texture glass.
How often should I clean an iPad?
Dry-wipe when fingerprints affect viewing and clean the case interior whenever grit appears. Wipe sooner after food, makeup, sunscreen, or shared use. Frequent light cleaning is gentler on the oleophobic coating than heavy scrubbing.