How to Take a Hard Case Off a Phone without Damage: Quick Guide

Remove a snap-on style case from your smartphone

Written by Kyle Smith

Last Updated: February 15, 2023 References

Removing the Case by Hand

|

Using a Prying Tool

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Things You'll Need

This wikiHow guide will show you how to take a hard case off a phone. Hard cases made of plastic are great protection for your phone, but they can be difficult to take off. It can be tough to use the right amount of pressure when removing your case while still being gentle with your phone. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to take your hard case off quickly and safely. This article works for any smartphone, including iPhones and Androids.

Things You Should Know

While hard cases provide a lot of protection for your phone, they can be difficult to get off.
If you have a hard case on your phone, you can usually get it off by using your hands to pry it out.
If you can't use your hands, try a plastic prying tool, like a credit card, guitar pick, or electronics repair prying tool.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing the Case by Hand

1
Lay a towel down on the table to cushion your phone. If you accidentally drop your phone or it falls out of the case when you’re not expecting it, you could damage your screen. Put down a soft towel or a pillowcase before you remove the case for extra protection.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Make sure you are working with a table underneath your phone so it doesn’t accidentally fall on the floor.
- This method applies to snap-on style phone cases, which are a single piece that fits around your phone’s edges. You can use the second method of this article, Using a Prying Tool, for 2-piece cases.
- For phone cases with multiple components and clips, you may need to refer to the case’s manual for specific instructions.
2
Start with the side that has the fewest number of buttons on it. Take a look at your phone and determine which side will be the easiest to take off. Usually, it’s the side that doesn’t have the volume buttons on it.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The side without the buttons will be easier to take off since there is less bulk to work around.
Advertisement
3
Push the bottom corner of the case down and away from the phone. The case should be flexible enough that the corner starts coming away from the phone.
- If the corner of the case is difficult to remove from the corner of the phone, you can put your thumbnail under the case in the bottom corner. Carefully poke your nail in between your case and your phone, trying not to bend your case too much. Wiggle your nail back and forth if you’re having trouble fitting it in between the case and your phone.
- If you don’t have long nails, try using a credit card instead.
4
Pry the bottom corner of the case away from your phone. Pull the case down and outwards to gently move it away from your phone. Try not to bend your case at all so that you don’t damage your phone.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- A bottom corner is usually easier to pull off first, since it’s the furthest away from any of the side buttons.
5
Pull the top corner of the case away from your phone. Pull the top corner on the same side as the first corner out and downward. Keep a good grip on your phone while you do, as it might slip out of the case once you pull the top corner off.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Warning: If your case is bending or warping at all, stop applying pressure and try prying it from a new angle. You could snap your case if you bend it too much.
6
Pop the entire side of the case off. Slide your thumb down to get the rest of the case off. Your case may have fallen off one side of your phone already, which works too! Get ready to catch it in case your phone falls out of the case.^{[5]
X
Research source}
7
Drop your phone out of the case. Tip your case over and let your phone fall out of the other side. Since one side is already off, be ready to catch your phone as it easily slides out.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You can also grab your phone and pull it out of the case if it’s being difficult.
- Now that the case is off, it’s a good time to clean your case and your phone’s screen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Prying Tool

1
Find a seam in your phone case if it has one. Some cases are put together with 2 pieces of plastic instead of 1 solid piece. Look for the seam in the outer edges of your phone case so you know where to start taking your case apart.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you had to put your phone case on in 2 pieces, it most likely has a seam on the sides.
2
Insert the tip of the prying tool in the seam of your case. Prying tools are small plastic tools with a flat tip at the end. Use the flat tip to pick apart the seam of your phone case and wedge the tool in between the 2 sides.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You can find prying tools for phone cases at most tech supply stores.
Alternative: If you don’t have a prying tool, you can use a plastic guitar pick instead.
3
Slide the tool down the side of your case. Make sure the tool is really wedged in between the 2 sides so that it stays in the seam the whole time. Use the tool to separate the case all the way down one side.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Try not to force the tool down too hard, or you could break your case. Go slowly and gently all the way down.
- You may hear some slight popping or cracking as the case separates.
4
Pop the side of the case off with the prying tool. Once you reach the bottom of one side, use the tool to gently pop the top of the case off the back. This should separate the majority of the case from the back side so that it’s easy to remove.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Think of your prying tool as a tiny crowbar to pry the pieces of your case apart.
5
Use the prying tool on the other side of the case. If the other side of your case is still attached, wedge the tip of the prying tool in between the seams on that side and then slide it down until the whole thing pops off. Then, you can take apart your case and remove it from your phone.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- With the case off, you’re ready to swap in a new one or decorate your phone case.
- For more phone case tips, check out how to keep a clear case clean.

Expert Q&A

Question

does the case have to be removed to install a screen saver?

Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Kyle Smith

wikiHow Technology Writer

Expert Answer

It depends on the screen saver you’re using! Some screen savers/protectors come with a frame for installing the protector that fits around the entire phone. In that case, you’ll need to remove the phone’s case before putting on the screen protector.