Phone Grips and Sockets

A grip on the back of the phone

A phone grip is a small tab or disc on the back of the phone that opens out for your fingers. With two fingers either side of it, a large phone sits more securely in one hand, for scrolling, typing on the bus or taking a photo at arm's length. Opened at an angle, it holds the phone up on a table as a stand. Folded, it lies close to the phone and slips into a pocket. The grips here are mostly magnetic, so they come off before charging and go back on after.

The kinds of grip

• Magnetic folding grips click onto a MagSafe-compatible phone or a magnetic case, fold flat, and open out into a stand. One here weighs about 33g and comes with two magnetic rings to stick on, for phones and cases without magnets.
• Grips with a ring stand have a ring that turns all the way round, so the phone stands upright or sideways. One here is soft silicone, finger grip included, and comes with a magnetic adapter for phones, tablets and e-readers without magnets.
• Pop-out sockets are the stick-on kind: a disc on an adhesive base that pops out like a short concertina to hold, and pushes back flat.

For a single-finger ring instead, see ring holders. For a strap your fingers slide under, see finger straps and loops.

How to choose and fit one

MagSafe-compatible holders suit an iPhone 12 or later, though not the iPhone 16e, which has no magnets. Any other phone needs a magnetic case or a magnetic ring stuck to its back or case first: see magnetic phone cases. A magnetic ring for sticking on goes on a smooth, clean, hard case. One grip's maker says to leave the ring 24 hours before use, and not to fit it to silicone, frosted, plush or uneven surfaces. Another says it holds best on smooth, hard, flat cases, and less well on curved or leather ones.

Think about charging. Apple says to keep nothing between the phone and a wireless charger. A magnetic grip lifts off first; a stick-on socket stays, so a phone with one may not charge on a pad. See wireless and magnetic charging explained. Some phone wallets hold the phone up as well: see phone wallets with a stand.

Questions people ask about phone grips

Will a magnetic grip fall off?

It holds best directly on a MagSafe-compatible phone or a magnetic case. A thick case, or a ring stuck to a soft or curved case, weakens the hold.

Are magnetic grips safe near a pacemaker?

Apple advises keeping MagSafe accessories more than 15cm from an implanted medical device. Ask your doctor and the device maker for your own device.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Ring holders
• Magnetic phone cases
• Finger straps and loops
• Phone wallets with a stand
• Stand and ring cases
• Magnetic phone wallets
• Guide: Phone wallets and card holders