iPhone 15 Pro fingerprints can 'alter color' of titanium — Apple explains why

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Fingerprints and titanium don't mix well, but it's temporary

iPhone 15 Pro Max shown in hand
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium frame is pretty cool, right? After all, the metal is stronger and lighter than stainless steel. But it seems the transition to a brand new metal may come with a small problem. According to Apple’s support document, your fingerprints may cause the metal to change color.

Fortunately this change should be temporary. According to Apple the color is only changing due to the oils in human skin, which are responsible for you leaving fingerprints wherever you go. According to Apple you can restore the original color by “wiping your iPhone with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth”. 

So it’s a good thing that the discoloration shouldn’t be permanent. But it does mean that some people may have to source an appropriate cloth if they care about keeping their shiny new iPhone looking pristine. Then again it might just be easier to find a nice case that covers the titanium and keeps it fingerprint-free. 

Plus, it’ll help keep your phone a little safer from damage, because no matter how durable or sturdy the iPhone 15 Pro might be, it’s not completely invulnerable. When you’re spending at least a grand on a brand new smartphone, the last thing you want to deal with is a trip to the Apple Store for a potentially pricey repair.

So be sure to check our list of the best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases, and stay tuned for our top case picks for the iPhone 15 Pro. That way, you won’t have to deal with any unsightly fingerprints around the edges of your phone.

It won’t stop fingerprints appearing on the touchscreen, of course, but that’s something we all should be used to by this point. At least they only leave smudges, and not strange colors all over the screen.

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Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.