What to Know
- Privacy screen protectors make your display appear dark when viewed from an angle.
- You can only see the screen clearly when looking directly at the phone.
- Using a privacy screen on your phone can help protect sensitive information.
Privacy screen protectors have become popular in recent years. These nifty screen protectors make it so that your phone screen can only be seen from straight on. When looking at the screen from an angle, the screen simply appears black. But do you need a privacy screen protector?
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Why You Might Want Privacy Screen Protectors
Privacy screen protectors are a great tool to help you keep your screen hidden when around others. If you work with sensitive information, using a privacy screen protector can help prevent others from seeing what you’re working on if you’re using your devices in a public space. On the other hand, even if you don’t work with sensitive information and you simply want to keep login details, your iPhone passcode, photos, messages, notifications, or anything else private while out in public, you can still benefit from a screen protector.
If you have an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a privacy screen protector can help keep others from spying to see what is on your display. Even if you have an older iPhone model, you can still benefit from a privacy screen protector.
Image credit: Donenko Oleksii / Shutterstock.com
There was a string of iPhone thefts in 2024, where the thieves had been watching their target and were able to see the iPhone passcode. This allowed them to break into the iPhone after stealing it and take over the user’s Apple Account. Apple has since introduced Stolen Device Protection to combat thefts like these. However, a privacy screen protector can add an extra layer of security by preventing potential thieves from seeing you enter your passcode. You can also improve your iPhone security with our weekly privacy and security newsletter, which you can get access to by signing up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.
Why a Privacy Screen on Your Phone Might Not Be for You
One of the biggest downsides to using an iPhone privacy screen protector is that you will have to be looking at your screen straight on to see anything. For instance, you will not be able to peek at notifications while your device is lying flat on your desk and will need to pick it up to check them. It also means if you want to show someone a photo or video on your phone, you’ll need to either hand your device to them or angle the screen just right so that they can see it.
Additionally, in order to keep others from spying on your screen, privacy screen protectors are darker than ordinary screen protectors. This means your phone screen won’t appear as bright and might be harder to see, especially in bright light. This might require you to increase the brightness, which could also mean faster battery drain.
Final Verdict
So, do you need a privacy screen phone? It really all depends on if the pros outweigh the cons for you. For me, I prefer not to use one, as I don’t like how dark the screen gets and I’m pretty aware of how I use my iPhone in public. I avoid entering passwords and try to use Face ID as much as possible when I’m out and about. If you think you would benefit from the extra protection a privacy screen protector offers, it would probably be a wise investment.
FAQ
- Is it worth putting a screen protector on the iPhone? We’ve just gone over the pros and cons of privacy screen protectors, but what about ordinary screen protectors that just protect your display from scratches and cracks? This is probably another one that comes down to personal preference and whether you think your device would be better off with or without it. I recommend reading our article, “Should I Use a Screen Protector?”
- Does the new iPhone need a case? There’s no such thing as too much protection. A case is a great idea if you are prone to dropping your iPhone or hitting it against things. We have an article that covers what to consider when deciding whether you should use a case on your iPhone.
- Should I use a camera lens protector for my iPhone? Tons of people protect their iPhones using cases and screen protectors, but people often ignore another fragile part of the device: the camera. The iPhone camera lenses have a sapphire crystal cover, protecting them from scratches. We can help you figure out whether an iPhone lens protector is necessary for your iPhone.
Top image credit: anatoliy_gleb / Shutterstock.com
