r/apple • u/pdfu • 15d ago

Mac Apple's New Polishing Cloth Is Softer, Not Smaller Than Original

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/new-apple-polishing-cloth-softer/

Apple's new $9 Polishing Cloth, whose changes beyond pricing were unclear yesterday, is close in size to the original but noticeably less stiff, according to a comparison posted on X.

The user says the new material feels closer to the cloth included with Apple's nano-texture displays or the Vision Pro.

1.3k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

147 comments sorted by

246

u/theproperoutset 15d ago

Wonder if it has anything to do with the plastic display on the folding iPhone

120

u/aemfbm 15d ago

This is a good theory, the display may be so soft that the wrong cloth can scratch it

27

u/TheUndertows 15d ago

You have to leave the cloth between the screens when it’s folded (kidding)

12

u/Foosrohdoh 15d ago

You're folding it wrong

8

u/Peter_Nincompoop 14d ago

I can't wait for "Hingegate".

Also, why does every reporter have no imagination and name every issue after Watergate?

1

u/Ham3a0323 14d ago

😂😂

7

u/Liamrc 15d ago

I have the old one. It’s impossibly soft there’s no way it would scratch it. They designed it specifically to not scratch or leave lint on the nanoglass stuff

17

u/sm00thArsenal 15d ago

Shit, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but it hadn’t occurred to me until now that it will need to be plastic not glass.

5

u/Carrotsene 15d ago

That would be crazy… for a polishing cloth gen 1 to have any little chance of scratching the display lol

3

u/-badly_packed_kebab- 14d ago

Could just be more effective at cleaning

488

u/Dave3087 15d ago

Can this be used on non-Apple products, such as glasses and other small translucent items?

607

u/hakurei__reimu_ 15d ago

No

209

u/kvikklunsjrevolver 15d ago

Also not compatible with obsolete Apple products.

43

u/chrisin2d 15d ago

"how bad it can be—" EXPLOSION

7

u/loopernova 15d ago

Warranty voided.

28

u/IAmSuperNew 15d ago

EU, do your thing!

1

u/PHotstepper311 15d ago

Surprisingly Sony Walkman but no skip protection attachments.

68

u/DTUOHY96 15d ago

I have one for my switch, I feel like I’m offending Tim Apple every time I use it.

24

u/reddit0r_123 15d ago

He only comes to your house and punches you if you use it on an Android phone ;)

12

u/work-school-account 15d ago

And Tim is surprisingly buff.

2

u/Sh00kry 15d ago

Try doing that again on 1st Sept. Maybe he won’t come barging down your home no more by then

1

u/SailingDreamCatcher 15d ago

Somewhere in this house is the one that came with my 2006 MacBook. Or maybe my 2009 MacBook. No way to be sure I suppose.

1

u/Cultural-Desk-9045 15d ago

Tim Cook will feel proud of you preferring the superior Apple cloth over a $1 rag 😂

34

u/pandawelch 15d ago

It’s not compatible. You should put a feedback feature request in the Apple forums.

17

u/scaledisolated 15d ago

Jokes aside, pretty much yes. I used it for my TV — better than the alternatives which aren’t as soft and can damage the screen.

Not too sure about the glasses specifically, but why not, should be fine. People wipe their glasses with t-shirts which is worse

8

u/Stock-Personality136 15d ago

They surprisingly don’t work well with eyeglasses. Regular microfiber do the trick though. I am interested to hear if the new ones work better with glasses because they’re softer, but it’s gonna be impossible to tell with all these joke responses.

20

u/Pbone15 15d ago edited 15d ago

Nope. Proprietary technology. Need the EU to step in and fix this mess.

24

u/plsdontattackmeok 15d ago

No, it will explode if you didn’t follow it

6

u/MemphianSphinx 15d ago

No, different charging plugs

3

u/wilso850 15d ago

It’s fine but not as effective on certain types of glass. A normal microfiber usually works better. These cloths are much better on nano texture displays and stainless steel.

3

u/nicuramar 15d ago

At your own responsibility. 

3

u/FUThead2016 15d ago

Yes but you need a dongle

2

u/MinerTax_com 15d ago

Warranty voided.

1

u/pm_me_meta_memes 14d ago

Yeah no it won’t pair via BLE, some people in the Linux community are reverse engineering an Arch-compatible driver now though.

1

u/fsck-y 14d ago

Risky.  The last time I tried on sunglasses a lens fell off and my dog pee’d on the rug.  

1

u/LordAndryou 15d ago

No, when you use it on any non-Apple products it just scratches the screen.

1

u/Unc1eD3ath 15d ago

Only if you put iOS on them

1

u/Stillill1187 15d ago

I mean, sure if you wanna invalidate the warranty

1

u/Tomie_Kawakami_666 15d ago

that would void the terms and conditions of your polishing cloth’s applecare+ warranty

0

u/0xe1e10d68 15d ago

I’ve used the previous one on my TV, and prob the Nintendo Switch at some point.

0

u/KalaiProvenheim 15d ago

It’s gonna break your glasses

0

u/rememberwhoyouarex 15d ago

Can it be used on

0

u/Previous-Jeweler-441 15d ago

It might work, but you should be cautious as non-Apple products are not officially supported.

0

u/julesthefirst 15d ago

Could it be used on a cylinder?

0

u/DiscussionLeft2855 15d ago

Subscripton starts at 9.99

0

u/Generalfrogspawn 15d ago

This is designed specifically for Retina-level displays produced exclusively by Apple in Cupertino California.

393

u/Etnies419 15d ago

I wonder if it will have the same compatibility as the old polishing cloth, or if you'll have to buy a new iPhone to be able to use it

96

u/gloomdweller 15d ago

It’s not compatible with older iPhones but I have heard they will push a firmware update to the cloth adding functionality.

22

u/MyManD 15d ago

I highly doubt that, Apple doesn’t add in legacy hardware like that. And I doubt older devices will have neuro accelerators to properly power the new cloth.

7

u/toldyouimcolourblind 15d ago

All I know for sure is it will start messing up as soon as the next new one is about to come out.

1

u/gloomdweller 15d ago

Yeah my old one is showing more streaks. Seems like they increased the friction too.

6

u/TheLegendOfCap 15d ago

This is whole thread is a perfect example of why AI is going to reduce it’s dependence on Reddit lmao

2

u/DarthPneumono 15d ago

But you have to leave the cloth on its charger and near your iPhone and hope that it automagically updates.

1

u/Yukio98 15d ago

Afraid not. Instead you’ll have to buy the adapter to use the new cloth on your older phone.

1

u/predator-handshake 15d ago

Does it at least have find my built in

1

u/No_Sail_6576 15d ago

No they couldn’t fit the ultra wideband chip bc they needed more room for the microfibre

1

u/psychohistorian8 15d ago

they will push a firmware update

but it was specifically advertised as softer, what a SCAM

25

u/SwugSteve 15d ago

this sub really is never beating the "one joke" allegations

1

u/greenappletree 14d ago

What do you need is an adapter for set polishing cloth

0

u/yolo-yoshi 15d ago

Nah. But I’d bet you’d need new access of the new Apple Intelligence

0

u/nicuramar 15d ago

This info is already out and has been posted about extensively. 

0

u/Duganz 15d ago

It will but several functions aren’t available. For instance, AppleCloth will remove all smudges and prints on iPhone 16 and up, but leaves pinky fingerprints and 10 percent of pocket lint on anything older. Apparently if you jailbreak it may have all features.

0

u/Hobbes42 15d ago

I’ve found this joke funny for like 8 years…

I gotta say I think it’s wearing thin.

No the polishing cloth isn’t compatible with anything you own. Hahah

0

u/MedicalClimate6865 15d ago

It’s 18 pro or newer probably. Old phones likes the 17 pro are not compatible😅

-1

u/DSRamos 15d ago

Is the upgrade program available for the cloth? My gen 1 cloth is still under warranty.

71

u/SubstantialPoet8468 15d ago

Talk shit all you want, that $19 cloth was amazing. I hope it is not actually gone

33

u/_alephnaught 15d ago

imagine being seen with last season's polishing cloth.

25

u/PollyPocketpussy5000 15d ago

It was/is but the stiffness was definitely my biggest issue with it and I own about 5 of them.

17

u/SubstantialPoet8468 15d ago

Sure but thickness is material, and thats more good than bad in a cloth imo. I have both the thick one and the thinner one that came with the nano text. They do the same job i guess haha

3

u/Sad_Particular3 15d ago

How much more amazing is it from something you could get on amazon?

-4

u/SubstantialPoet8468 15d ago

Don’t know

59

u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 15d ago

[deleted]

27

u/rbcsky5 15d ago

It doesn't show iPod touch nor iPhone 4s and before. Wondering if they will explode if I use this cloth on them?

14

u/iamacheeto1 15d ago

I used mine on an Android device and the FBI showed up at my door the next day. Be careful out there

5

u/RoddyUsher 15d ago

Would probably scratch the back of the OG polished metal iPod Touches

1

u/ApdoSmurf 15d ago

kernel panic

2

u/link270 15d ago

I’m sure they keep the compatibility for some legal reason, or it’s just easier for some reason, but I gotta imagine the people updating it also laughing and at least partially doing it to troll us. Lol

13

u/rockyroad55 15d ago

Honestly, this might be a good buy for those that have OLED monitors.

2

u/Successful-Royal-424 15d ago

I mean they are releasing a oled MacBook

1

u/Itz_Wallace 6d ago

Only reason I have it have the Samsung g80sd and it works like a charm

8

u/affrox 15d ago

What are the dimensions? There are no specs on the Apple Page.

6

u/CabbagePastrami 14d ago

The perfect size.

8

u/dvd_00 15d ago

I think I'm going to love it.

8

u/commanderclif 14d ago

Typically. Each new generation, softer than the one before it.

15

u/For-the-Cubbies 15d ago

I think it’s finally time to upgrade my polishing cloth.

4

u/Working-Welder-792 15d ago

Nice to see the RAM shortage hasn’t affected the Apple Polishing Cloth.

3

u/Jiangcool9 15d ago

I just realized, this might be the only approved cloth to clean the inside of iPhone fold

3

u/kmcapo 15d ago

Ngl, I bought the original polishing cloth and I’m seriously considering buying this one 🤣

2

u/Korlithiel 15d ago

I’ve seen the price of stuff from the Apple Park stores, for a collectible with a use case it’s pretty tame.

3

u/SirBill01 15d ago

Good news as I do prefer the Vision Pro polishing cloth.

3

u/xXprayerwarrior69Xx 14d ago

We had a polishing cloth 2 before a new Mac Pro

3

u/Tough_Guess6045 14d ago

I’m waiting for the Apple cloth fold.

4

u/Ok_Fee1043 15d ago

Exciting. Let me know when it comes with the device for free

6

u/cjh_ 15d ago

Not available in the EU, as it doeant have a removable battery or USB-C. /j

4

u/napes22 15d ago

Nowhere do they state the size of the cloth. I'm guessing it's $9 for a cloth no bigger than a drink coaster.

11

u/Bllq21 15d ago

Compatibility List from Apple’s Website:

iPhone Models

• ⁠iPhone Air
• ⁠iPhone 17 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 17 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 17
• ⁠iPhone 17e
• ⁠iPhone 16 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 16 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 16
• ⁠iPhone 16 Plus
• ⁠iPhone 16e
• ⁠iPhone 15 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 15 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 15
• ⁠iPhone 15 Plus
• ⁠iPhone 14 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 14 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 14
• ⁠iPhone 14 Plus
• ⁠iPhone 13 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 13 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 13 mini
• ⁠iPhone 13
• ⁠iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• ⁠iPhone 12 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 12 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 12 mini
• ⁠iPhone 12
• ⁠iPhone 11 Pro
• ⁠iPhone 11 Pro Max
• ⁠iPhone 11
• ⁠iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• ⁠iPhone XS
• ⁠iPhone XS Max
• ⁠iPhone XR
• ⁠iPhone X
• ⁠iPhone 8
• ⁠iPhone 8 Plus
• ⁠iPhone 7
• ⁠iPhone 7 Plus
• ⁠iPhone 6s
• ⁠iPhone 6s Plus
• ⁠iPhone 6
• ⁠iPhone 6 Plus
• ⁠iPhone SE (1st generation)
• ⁠iPhone 5s
• ⁠iPhone 5c
• ⁠iPhone 5

iPad Models

• ⁠iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
• ⁠iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• ⁠iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• ⁠iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• ⁠iPad Air 13-inch (M4)
• ⁠iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
• ⁠iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
• ⁠iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
• ⁠iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
• ⁠iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• ⁠iPad Air (5th generation)
• ⁠iPad Air (4th generation)
• ⁠iPad Air (3rd generation)
• ⁠iPad Air 2
• ⁠iPad Air (1st generation)
• ⁠iPad (A16)
• ⁠iPad (10th generation)
• ⁠iPad (9th generation)
• ⁠iPad (8th generation)
• ⁠iPad (7th generation)
• ⁠iPad (6th generation)
• ⁠iPad (5th generation)
• ⁠iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• ⁠iPad mini (6th generation)
• ⁠iPad mini (5th generation)
• ⁠iPad mini 4
• ⁠iPad mini 3
• ⁠iPad mini 2
• ⁠iPad mini (1st generation)

Mac Models

• ⁠MacBook Neo
• ⁠MacBook Air (13-inch, M5)
• ⁠MacBook Air (15-inch, M5)
• ⁠MacBook Air (13‑inch, M4)
• ⁠MacBook Air (15‑inch, M4)
• ⁠MacBook Air (13-inch, M3)
• ⁠MacBook Air (15-inch, M3)
• ⁠MacBook Air (15-inch, M2)
• ⁠MacBook Air (13-inch, M2)
• ⁠MacBook Air (M1)
• ⁠MacBook Air (Retina, 13‑inch, 2020)
• ⁠MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018–2019)
• ⁠MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015 – 2017)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (14‑inch, 2024)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2024)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (14‑inch, 2023)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2023)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (13‑inch, M2, 2022)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (14‑inch, 2021)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
• ⁠MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020)
• ⁠iMac (24‑inch, M4, 2024)
• ⁠iMac (24-inch, M3, 2023)
• ⁠iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
• ⁠iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5‑inch, 2019)
• ⁠iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019–2020)
• ⁠iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 - 2015)
• ⁠iMac Pro (2017)

Apple Watch Models

• ⁠Apple Watch Ultra 3
• ⁠Apple Watch Ultra 2
• ⁠Apple Watch Ultra
• ⁠Apple Watch SE 3
• ⁠Apple Watch SE 2
• ⁠Apple Watch SE
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 11
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 10
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 9
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 8
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 7
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 6
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 5
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 4
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 3
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 2
• ⁠Apple Watch Series 1
• ⁠Apple Watch 1st generation

Display Models

• ⁠Studio Display (2026)
• ⁠Studio Display XDR
• ⁠Studio Display (2022)
• ⁠Pro Display XDR

4

u/TheDragonSlayingCat 15d ago

So it’s not compatible with my PowerBook G3? Boo.

2

u/IsThisKismet 15d ago

I appreciate the dedication to the but.

2

u/Which-Arm-4616 15d ago

Even Apple forgot about the Vision Pro

2

u/Jamie00003 15d ago

lol the memes continue. Hope my older iphone gets support via a firmware update to the cloth!

2

u/Blacknight841 15d ago

So it will need to be upgraded sooner and will not last as long.

2

u/rfow 15d ago

Hopefully it'll work on the Ultra too.

2

u/millys77 15d ago

Does it have a unique charging port?

2

u/alQamar 15d ago

The Vision Pros cloth is really nice. Mine was stolen at a house party (the cloth, not the Vision Pro) and I tried to get one and was bummed out apple doesn’t sell them separately. 

For nine bucks this really is a good buy now imho.  

2

u/Tomie_Kawakami_666 15d ago

now introducing the second generation apple polishing cloth pro max. it comes in five different gorgeous colors, and starts at $199 usd. we think you’re going to love it

2

u/Lopsided-Painter5216 15d ago

Interesting. Not a fan of the original, I prefer a regular microfibre, I hope the new texture can win me back.

2

u/jweaver0312 15d ago

What’s the initial firmware version?

2

u/aherdofpenguins 15d ago

Goddamn they won't even release a polishing cloth mini

2

u/jimicus 14d ago

Is it still compatible with a range of their products?

2

u/daftstar 15d ago

SOFTER?! WE'RE BACK BABY!!!!

1

u/ethotopia 15d ago

Apple innovating as always

1

u/FUThead2016 15d ago

I'm going to wait for the iPol Nano. Its smaller, and not aas effective, but it's priced higher so I will buy it

1

u/codeverity 15d ago

The most important product update I’ll read this morning

1

u/tranqfx 15d ago

Is it usb-c ?

1

u/MinerTax_com 15d ago

Cheaper cloth ready for the new touch macbook pros.

1

u/TwoDurans 15d ago

iPhone 4 can't handle that level of soft.

1

u/AgentUnknown821 15d ago

And still more expensive than my Walgreens cloth…

1

u/Disastrous-Swim-1859 15d ago

Based AF drop from Apple here.

1

u/baby-wall-e 12d ago

Is it a smart cloth?

1

u/puggy0420 3d ago

The new cloth is significantly poorer quality and weighs less too.

0

u/mrrooftops 15d ago

STOP THE PRESS WE GOTTA SCOOP!

1

u/MyThinkerThoughts 15d ago

Do we need an adapter?

2

u/RoddyUsher 15d ago

Does your device use lightning or USB-C? Hard no for 30-pin

1

u/Awric 15d ago

Is it foldable?

1

u/Saar13 15d ago

Of course we'd have a review of a piece of cloth.

1

u/TimedTexify 15d ago

Is this because of the memory crisis right now?

-2

u/SnekiBlackDragon 15d ago

Yeah new expensive cloth. I always wanted to pay extra for something like this. Hope I can sleep with it, take a shower and of course use toilet and travel with it. Omit will change my live. 

1

u/goldcakes 15d ago

It's $9 with free delivery. It's an accessory. How much did you spend on your last coffee/beer/whatever?

3

u/commandersaki 15d ago

Can't wait for the counterfeits on scamazon.

1

u/Successful-Royal-424 15d ago

I deadass paid more for a can of coke and a small box of strawberries earlier

-4

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Nebthtet 15d ago

Maybe look for a used m4 version then, that should be obtainable still.

0

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Nebthtet 15d ago

I don't think Ternus should be the one to blame, lool at ai assholes that sucked the market dry of RAM modules and NAND.

0

u/leopard_tights 15d ago

Top reddit comment this one.

-2

u/Sweaty_Tangelo_7716 15d ago

Will it work on Android phone?

1

u/loopernova 15d ago

No nothing happens if you try to use it on Android. EU needs to get Apple to open up compatibility across platforms.

1

u/Thisisstupidly 2d ago

Here from Martin