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MagSafe iPhone Car Mounts?

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
Here’s another one:

www.mdrnlife.co

iPhone 12 | 12 Pro Wireless Charging Mag Car Mount

Safe, Powerful, Magnetic We’ve designed our MagSafe Car Mount with a powerful magnetic module that keeps your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro safely mounted through all the road’s bumps and turns. A high-quality base and sturdy vent clip ensure that your MagSafe Car Vent Mount stays safely in place...
www.mdrnlife.co
 
ChristianGGG said:
Actually it is.....

www.esrgear.com

ESR TECH Made Easier | Premium Charging Accessories And More

ESRTECH (esrgear) Brands creates high-quality phone cases, screen protectors, wireless chargers, and a range of other accessories for your iPhone, iPad and Android device.
www.esrgear.com www.esrgear.com
Click to expand...
I really like the look of that. The only thing that is stopping me is I have wired CarPlay. The usb slot is dead-center at the bottom of the dash/console, near the cup holder. The power cable would dangle in front of some controls and things, looking sloppy. I looked the other day, and there is no space between panels to slip the cable through.

I have a 2020 Kia Sportage EX w/Tech package. This is kind of what it looks like. I’d want to mount left vent, and you can see the usb at the bottom (and where the wireless charging bay is). Unfortunately, not a lot of good forums for Kia owners.

If anyone happens to know a solution, I’m all ears!!!
 

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decypher44 said:
I really like the look of that. The only thing that is stopping me is I have wired CarPlay. The usb slot is dead-center at the bottom of the dash/console, near the cup holder. The power cable would dangle in front of some controls and things, looking sloppy. I looked the other day, and there is no space between panels to slip the cable through.

I have a 2020 Kia Sportage EX w/Tech package. This is kind of what it looks like. I’d want to mount left vent, and you can see the usb at the bottom (and where the wireless charging bay is). Unfortunately, not a lot of good forums for Kia owners.

If anyone happens to know a solution, I’m all ears!!!
Click to expand...
One option would be to use some cable management guides like this to route the cable to the left of the console and back to the center below the console. The right vent would be a more natural place for this as there’s a clear pillar along the right to route a cable but it looks like it might also be possible on the left (hard to tell from picture)
 
subzero123 said:
I literally just took my standard car magnet off, and put a MagSafe puck on it with 3m double sided tape. Ill get pics later when im home. But basically just picture this with a MagSafe puck. I just took it apart, took out the 4 small magnets in it, and then double sided taped a MagSafe puck from apple onto it and boom. Works perfectly. So basically you could modify ANY car mount to a MagSafe mount. the magnets are PLENTY strong


www.amazon.com

WixGear Magnetic Car Mount [2-Pack] - Universal Stick-On Dashboard Magnetic Phone Holder for Car, Strong Magnet Mount for Cell Phones & Mini Tablets with Swift-Snap Technology

WixGear Universal Stick On Magnetic Phone Mount Holder Black 2 Pack.. Setting up your phone on a mount in your car has never been easier! WixGear Air Vent Car Mount for smartphones saves you the hassle of placing your smartphone securely to make sure it doesn't fall, just stick it on your car das...
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Here’s another, potentially cleaner/easier, DIY option:
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/jhulkz/_/ga3k5fx
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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I found this great review of the Pitaka iPhone 12 cases and this is helpful. This is one part of the equation for a magnetic mount in a vehicle. I'm probably going to try the Pitaka MagEZ case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and still need to figure out what magnetic mount to stick in my vehicle. Again, since I have wired CarPlay, I don't care about wireless charging in my vehicle, only a magnetic mount.

 
acousticbiker said:
One option would be to use some cable management guides like this to route the cable to the left of the console and back to the center below the console. The right vent would be a more natural place for this as there’s a clear pillar along the right to route a cable but it looks like it might also be possible on the left (hard to tell from picture)
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yeah, that’s part of the plan. Inside the charging bay and under the steering column to keep it flush. My problem is going up from under the steering column to the vent area.

I know most people just plug and go. Every Uber ride I’ve been in is like this. But I’m a person who always did clean, custom installs. I used to drill, cut, etc in hidden areas to be sure nothing showed. If I can’t get a clean install, I’ll just give up the idea and leave as-is. Like I said, unfortunately there aren't any good Kia owner forums. The only active one is basic. Most owners have no clue about any of it. The only one is the Kia Stinger owners, but the Stinger is the sports car, which is totally different inside, obviously.

I appreciate your link! I’ll order a couple of those if I can figure out the rest.

I know one thing I could do is drill a hole just above the USB port and go straight up, but my issue is still how to get the other end of the cable back out near the vent. I’m not going to drill out anything on the front-facing surfaces.

Hmmmm..,.
 
decypher44 said:
I really like the look of that. The only thing that is stopping me is I have wired CarPlay. The usb slot is dead-center at the bottom of the dash/console, near the cup holder. The power cable would dangle in front of some controls and things, looking sloppy. I looked the other day, and there is no space between panels to slip the cable through.

I have a 2020 Kia Sportage EX w/Tech package. This is kind of what it looks like. I’d want to mount left vent, and you can see the usb at the bottom (and where the wireless charging bay is). Unfortunately, not a lot of good forums for Kia owners.

If anyone happens to know a solution, I’m all ears!!!
Click to expand...

Serious question - why do you even need a phone mount if you have wired CarPlay? Do you not just plug it in and drop it in a cubby or cupholder?

I use a Qi charging mount with my XS because I don't have CarPlay of any sort -- thus Waze and other stuff is on the phone and needs to be visible. I'm presuming if I replace my headunit with a CarPlay capable unit I'd no longer need a phone mount where the phone was visible. Is that not true?
 
deeddawg said:
Serious question - why do you even need a phone mount if you have wired CarPlay? Do you not just plug it in and drop it in a cubby or cupholder?

I use a Qi charging mount with my XS because I don't have CarPlay of any sort -- thus Waze and other stuff is on the phone and needs to be visible. I'm presuming if I replace my headunit with a CarPlay capable unit I'd no longer need a phone mount where the phone was visible. Is that not true?
Click to expand...
There are a few reasons:

1) I would like the overall look of it.

2) In the charging bay, I have a very short, angled cable so that my phone will still sit flat in the bay. It’s cramped and not an easy plug in and go.

3) I hate having to plug in and plug out with each trip. Sometimes a drive is only 2-4 mins long each way. It’s a slight annoyance.

4) It would be a fun little project to get it to look as clean as possible and work.

5) It would free up the charging bay for my wife, daughter or other passenger.

But it’s mostly for the convenience of not plugging in and out each time.
 
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decypher44 said:
There are a few reasons:

1) I would like the overall look of it.

2) In the charging bay, I have a very short, angled cable so that my phone will still sit flat in the bay. It’s cramped and not an easy plug in and go.

3) I hate having to plug in and plug out with each trip. Sometimes a drive is only 2-4 mins long each way. It’s a slight annoyance.

4) It would be a fun little project to get it to look as clean as possible and work.

5) It would free up the charging bay for my wife, daughter or other passenger.

But it’s mostly for the convenience of not plugging in and out each time.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the detailed reply.

#4 is probably why I've just not spent a lot of time looking at carplay upgrades - I've experienced CP in a rental car a while ago and it seemed like a lot of plugging and unplugging.

I'm starting to look a bit more now that wireless CarPlay is increasingly available for aftermarket head units.

Thanks!
 
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deeddawg said:
I appreciate the detailed reply.

#4 is probably why I've just not spent a lot of time looking at carplay upgrades - I've experienced CP in a rental car a while ago and it seemed like a lot of plugging and unplugging.

I'm starting to look a bit more now that wireless CarPlay is increasingly available for aftermarket head units.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Man, I wish I had wireless CarPlay! That would be so much easier. I know there are kits/dongles, but after going through all of those threads, that’s a no for me, dawg!
 
decypher44 said:
Man, I wish I had wireless CarPlay! That would be so much easier. I know there are kits/dongles, but after going through all of those threads, that’s a no for me, dawg!
Click to expand...
In my case, I'm looking at a full headunit replacement with a Pioneer or Kenwood unit providing wireless CarPlay. The existing setup in my truck is double-din, so CarPlay at all. Not a cheap thing, but I tend to keep vehicles a long time so would get years of use from it.
 
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ryankidd17 said:
Here’s my solution.
Holds up, no issue. Even on the deplorable roads of MI. I’m waiting to see how ESR’s fairs. But I really prefer my phone be lower from my view.

View attachment 977824
Click to expand...
That's brilliant and I like it. So when you remove the iPhone from the mount, does the Mag Safe charger stay put or does it come off with the iPhone?
 
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treimche said:
That's brilliant and I like it. So when you remove the iPhone from the mount, does the Mag Safe charger stay put or does it come off with the iPhone?
Click to expand...
Stays put. The MagSafe is secured to my scosche mount. It take quite a bit if force to remove it. I guess I should have shown that in the video.
 
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ryankidd17 said:
Here’s my solution.
Holds up, no issue. Even on the deplorable roads of MI. I’m waiting to see how ESR’s fairs. But I really prefer my phone be lower from my view.

View attachment 977824
Click to expand...

I tried something similar and found that it wouldnt charge constantly, would turn off charging after a few seconds, without the stickon magnet it worked quite well
 
ryankidd17 said:
Here’s my solution.
Holds up, no issue. Even on the deplorable roads of MI. I’m waiting to see how ESR’s fairs. But I really prefer my phone be lower from my view.

View attachment 977824
Click to expand...
I have not posted in ages on here, but had to come out of semi-retirement to say thanks for posting this. Your idea is fantastic as I have the Scosche magnetic cigarette lighter charger/mount and thought it was headed to Craigslist or eBay while I hopelessly waited for a similar solution for the new iPhones.

I don't like the vent/window/dash mounts and for the past week my phone has just had to live sitting in one of the center console cup holders. I've got a MagSafe cable on order now (a long 8-10 day wait ahead) and bought a USB-C to USB-A adapter headed my way shortly to plug into the power source on the mount so I'll have wireless charging all the time with the USB-C MagSafe cable.
 
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candyman said:
I have not posted in ages on here, but had to come out of semi-retirement to say thanks for posting this. Your idea is fantastic as I have the Scosche magnetic cigarette lighter charger/mount and thought it was headed to Craigslist or eBay while I hopelessly waited for a similar solution for the new iPhones.

I don't like the vent/window/dash mounts and for the past week my phone has just had to live sitting in one of the center console cup holders. I've got a MagSafe cable on order now (a long 8-10 day wait ahead) and bought a USB-C to USB-A adapter headed my way shortly to plug into the power source on the mount so I'll have wireless charging all the time with the USB-C MagSafe cable.
Click to expand...
That’s funny. I haven’t been around in a couple of years. Showed up just because every solution is a vent or window mount. And I know there are people like myself that prefer something lower and more discrete.
It works fantastically. The charging is consistent (someone above had some issues, but I can’t replicate that). I can’t confirm if a usb-c to usb-a would work, as I’m using a charger with both (I run my cable between the seat to my center console charging port).
Best of luck! Hope this solution meets your needs.
 
jimmysalg said:
Well ESR replied to my email, and said "mid November" UGH!!!
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear. My tracking still shows pre-shipment. We'll see if it goes out today as they mentioned - if the status is updated, that is, as I've had other USPS packages not update from that status even after I received
 
Apparently, my brain decided to take a vacation the past couple of weeks. I was busy trying to see how I’d mount this, but not until yesterday did I realize I’d still need to plug my phone into the USB port for CarPlay. Duh. I feel so dumb.

I think somehow my brain was assuming the data would flow along with the power (wouldn’t that be cool?). I feel really dumb today. Maybe a real vacation is in order!
 
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