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Not only will these screen protectors shield against breaking your phone, they’ll help keep your personal information private.

Whether you’re dealing with nosey acquaintances at a party or strangers on public transit, this kind of digital “eavesdropping” unfortunately isn’t going anywhere. Thankfully, you do have options for helping keep your texts and sensitive information more private. One product which I’m personally enamored with — and which experts say is a two-in-one no-brainer — is a protective privacy screen for your phone.

Ahmed Ashour, an IT expert and educator who previously worked at Apple’s Genius Bar, is a huge proponent of screen protectors. “Privacy screen protectors keep eyes away from your sensitive information, especially in communal areas and places in public,” he explained. Plus, their use for physical protection is just as important to proactively defend against accidents like drops, according to Ashour: “Every phone should have a glass screen protector. Smartphones are... the most expensive thing on your person at all times.”

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Ashour recommended this YMHML privacy screen protector from Amazon because of its tempered glass feature, which he noted is much stronger than plain glass. Tempered glass “absorbs all the shock” when you drop your phone, he explained.

This protector comes in a pack of two (which Ashour says is ideal if you misapply it on your first go, or if the shock-absorbing protector essentially gives its life for your phone, and you need a fresh one). It’s available in versions for iPhones 6–15 Plus.

This highly-rated option offers versions to fit multiple Samsung Galaxy phones (A12-A17 and S24, S24 Plus, S25 Edge, and S24 Ultra). It comes in a pack of two.

Promising review: "This glass protection and privacy screen are perfect. I work in healthcare, and privacy is very important to me. The screen works really well, standing strong after I drop it. I have tremors in my hands, so I drop my phone regularly. It is also a great price since I have two other screens I can use and not wait for another to arrive. Really great screen." —kelsey esler

This Ailun tempered glass protector boasts over 112,000 5-star ratings and is available in sizes for iPhones 7–17, with Plus, Pro, Pro Max, and Mini sizes also available, depending on the model. It comes in a pack of three and also includes three protectors for your camera lenses.

Promising review: "Honestly, I’m too lazy to ever write reviews, BUT I keep coming back to buy this product, and let me tell you it doesn’t disappoint. I’ve dropped my phone at sporting events, down flights of stairs, theme parks, and once even took a nasty fall where my phone and I both bounced off the pavement. I was fine, but I thought my phone was a goner. These protector screens saved my phone. There wasn’t even a scratch on my phone. The protectors were scratched and cracked, but my phone was in perfect condition. This product is like insurance for your phone, and even better, it’s at such a great low price. If you’re clumsy like me, don’t even hesitate and just buy it! I’ve put everyone I know onto these, and everyone is very pleased. I like the added privacy the screen protector provides, since people are always nosy. Would 100000% 10/10 recommend this!" —Dominique Marotta

Get a 2-pack from Amazon for $7.98+ (also available in 3-packs).

This option from popular tech accessory brand ESR comes with an application kit to make adhering your privacy screen as easy as possible. The screens promise to withstand up to 33 pounds of force (!) to help defend against drops and other accidents. They're available in sizes for iPhones 12–17 and iPhone Air, and in multiple multi-packs.

Promising review: "I recently purchased this cell phone privacy screen protector, and it's been a game-changer! The installation was a breeze, and now I can use my phone with confidence, knowing that my sensitive information is shielded from prying eyes. The screen's clarity remains excellent, and the added privacy bonus makes it a must-have for anyone concerned about protecting their digital privacy. Highly recommended!" —Andrea

This Entronix protector has options for Android. It's slim, offers a clear view that darkens at a 28-degree or wider angle, and is shock-absorbing, anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant. It also comes with a one-year warranty for peace of mind.

Get a 3-pack from Target for $14.95 (originally $24.95).

This tempered glass two-pack has a 25-degree privacy angle, protecting your screen from nosy people sitting next to you. This option is pricier than others on the list, but it's designed to look basically invisible when put on your screen, and also offers durability benefits, with the brand claiming it can survive a 12-foot drop without shattering. As one review put it, "you get what you pay for." You can find this in iPhone models 13 to 17 Air.

Promising review: "This is probably the first brand of screen protector that didn’t crack even when the phone was dropped on a marble floor multiple times a day. It seemed very fingerprint-resistant, and I don’t even recall ever having to clean it off. It did not distort the screen's visibility whatsoever, and the size is precise. I prefer this over others as well because it does not have the dark black coating that makes it challenging to see the screen. All in all, it serves its purpose well and is high quality." —JFC3

Of course, in addition to privacy, you want a screen protector to protect your physical device. Made of durable Corning glass, this Walmart option can withstand scratches, drops, and more without damage. It's less than half a millimeter thin and comes with everything you need for easy, bubble-free application. 

Promising review: "It's great. Most privacy screen protectors aren't 100% blacked out from the side, but this one is." —Lexi

Privacy screens are a way to “do your due diligence and not have someone accidentally see something they shouldn’t.”

Our smartphones give us access to a bounty of information at our fingertips. But this is a privilege that necessitates increased thoughtfulness and responsibility, according to Ashour. “The reality of us using smartphones means that you might need to pull up information for a second on your phone. That’s a moment that someone else could use or take advantage of,” he told us.

When it comes to what kind of privacy screen protector to select, Ashour says you really can’t go wrong — as long you do get one. “I’ve used really expensive brands of screen protectors and cheaper brands, and I personally have not noticed a massive difference in the experience,” he said. But since our phones are so costly and so important, “It’s worth spending the extra five bucks, if you can, to get something that’s going to add more protection.”

To get the most bang for your buck for your screen protector, make sure your screen is clean before you apply it. This will help your protector adhere securely and cleanly to your screen sans air bubbles, according to Ashour.

In addition, Ashour gave us some tips for best attaching your protector. “These temporary screen protectors are really thick, so that means that you only really get one chance to apply it properly,” he noted. “So take the screen protector by its corners. Your fingers are going to pinch the corners of the screen protector, and you want to lower it very slowly over the top of the phone. [That way] you can optically line up where the corners of the screen protector are going to rest and make sure it’s as even as possible.” 

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

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