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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.
That one does have positioning magnets. In that model, there are actually channels in the outside of the front plastic that the magnets sit in, and they're covered only by the gray rubber ring/line stuck on top of them. This leads to a very strong attraction between the phone and the mount. It's comparable to the official MagSafe puck's attraction.

The similar TIMESS mount from Amazon has the magnets inside the housing. Because the front plastic sits between the phone and the magnets, the attraction is noticeably weaker. That may be my biggest complaint about the TIMESS unit.
 
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InvisiBill said:
That one does have positioning magnets. In that model, there are actually channels in the outside of the front plastic that the magnets sit in, and they're covered only by the gray rubber ring/line stuck on top of them. This leads to a very strong attraction between the phone and the mount. It's comparable to the official MagSafe puck's attraction.

The similar TIMESS mount from Amazon has the magnets inside the housing. Because the front plastic sits between the phone and the magnets, the attraction is noticeably weaker. That may be my biggest complaint about the TIMESS unit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, so you won't recommend the one you just mentioned? The Timees mount from amazon.
fr.aliexpress.com

15.42€ 40% de réduction|Support de chargeur de voiture sans fil QI Magsafe 15W, pour Iphone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max, aimant puissant à absorption d'air | AliExpress

Achetez malin, vivez mieux! Aliexpress.com
fr.aliexpress.com fr.aliexpress.com
Found it on aliexpress and I was about to order one, but I should rather go with this one instead?
 
InvisiBill said:
That one does have positioning magnets. In that model, there are actually channels in the outside of the front plastic that the magnets sit in, and they're covered only by the gray rubber ring/line stuck on top of them. This leads to a very strong attraction between the phone and the mount. It's comparable to the official MagSafe puck's attraction.

The similar TIMESS mount from Amazon has the magnets inside the housing. Because the front plastic sits between the phone and the magnets, the attraction is noticeably weaker. That may be my biggest complaint about the TIMESS unit.
Click to expand...

What’s a good alternative to the Timess mount that is similar in function and is compatible with a 17 mm ball mount?
 
kingalien said:
So finally received my third-party knockoff of MagSafe Charger ordered from Aliexpress. My setup is a magnet mount which I had placed the Apple MagSafe charger on (see photo) and then mounted my 12 ProMax with leather case to it. This worked well and was very secure when driving.

Wanted to try a knockoff and if worked planned to snip the cord and just leave the charging puck on the magnet. The knockoff I received looked good initially including the packaging (see collage photo). The charger itself did not have the quality feel of the original Apple. The back housing on the Apple had a quality metallic feel while the knockoff was more of a plasticky feel. Putting it on the magnet mount the knockoff did not have the snap to the mount like the original Apple charger. Mounting the phone with leather case onto the charger did not have a solid lock like the Apple did. It did hold the phone but did not snap in place solidly. On the road it did hold up the phone through normal traffic and mild to moderate bumps. Pulling the phone off the charger however most of the time would pull the knockoff charger off the magnet mount as well. This was remedied by putting one of the steel plates on the back of the charger and it was not pulled off the magnet mount after that. Overall I probably won't be using this for what I intended to do with it.

As for the charging, will have to update this later as I just realized I don't have a USB C charger to connect it to lol.

Photos attached where both chargers are pictured has the Apple on the left and knockoff on the right.

***EDIT*** tried the knockoff connected to a USB C charger and indeed it gives the charging animation.

View attachment 1702778View attachment 1702780View attachment 1702781View attachment 1702782
Click to expand...

Is this the puck you got from AliExpress? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
 
Stan.06 said:
Thanks for the reply, so you won't recommend the one you just mentioned? The Timees mount from amazon.
fr.aliexpress.com

15.42€ 40% de réduction|Support de chargeur de voiture sans fil QI Magsafe 15W, pour Iphone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max, aimant puissant à absorption d'air | AliExpress

Achetez malin, vivez mieux! Aliexpress.com
fr.aliexpress.com fr.aliexpress.com
Found it on aliexpress and I was about to order one, but I should rather go with this one instead?
Click to expand...

iAdamator said:
What’s a good alternative to the Timess mount that is similar in function and is compatible with a 17 mm ball mount?
Click to expand...

I have both of those. Generally speaking, they're somewhat similar designs.

The TIMESS one seems like a pretty good product. It has a nice matte finish and just feels like a quality product. It's about twice as thick as the other one, likely due to all the electronics being stacked under the coil. The halves assemble with screws. However, due to the magnets being inside the housing, the MagSafe attraction is a bit weak. Other than that one issue, I'm quite happy with it.

The other one has the feel of a dollar store item. The plastic is thin and glossy, and the housing just presses together with friction posts. The circuit board is in the lower half of the housing, with a hole in the middle to straddle the orientation magnet. Having the magnets outside the plastic, just under the rubber pads, it has a very strong magnetic attraction. It charges my XS as expected at 7.5W without issue. However, when I put my 12 Pro on it, it constantly resets and only draws 1-3W. It seems to work ok in other situations, but it's useless for charging my 12 (which is the whole point of a MagSafe charger). Someone else reported really low output from theirs too earlier.

From what I've seen, no third-party chargers have managed to successfully do "MagSafe 15W" yet. I've tried both of these units, plus the RAVPower black MagSafe clone, with a variety of power bricks and cables, and have yet to see any of them pull more than 10W from the wall (which should be 7.5W into the phone). The same USB-C power bricks let my official MagSafe do 15W. At this point, it seems to be a failure of all third-party chargers by nature, as opposed to a problem with a specific model.


I think the second one would be a great alternative to the Belkin MagSafe vent mount, if you just ignore the electronics in it. The hold is comparable to the official MagSafe, stronger than any other third-party item I've tried. It's like half the price and has a 17mm ball mount so you have more mounting options. It feels and looks a bit cheap, but it's covered by your phone when it's in use anyway. I probably wouldn't use it in a Bentley, but it's not going to ruin your Camry's aesthetic. If the charging worked properly (even at 7.5W like others), I'd probably tolerate its cheap look to get its strong hold.

I'm currently using the TIMESS one as my desk mount. I'm actually using the suction arm from the other unit, as it seems to work quite well. I wish the magnets were stronger, but it's good enough for sitting on a desk. At 7.5W, it Just Works™ and charges the phone. It would be nice if it did 15W, but I'm not surprised that it doesn't.
 
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I bought the Belkin MagSafe and the Tech Ape MagSafe vent mount. The Tech Ape also acts as a MagSafe charger. I get the MagSafe image when charging. Seems to maintain my battery charge level while using NAV software, playing podcasts and keeping the screen on. If I turn the screen off, then I start getting positive charging.

Personally, I prefer the Tech Ape model which is simply a magnetic circle rather than a rectangle which, IMHO, looks too bulky in the car.

The Tech Ape also has a better vent connector system that you can tighten to get a solid connection.

I use the iPhone12 Pro with an Apple leather MagSafe case. The phone is quite secure for normal day to day driving. It might let go if I go off-road but that is a rare occurrence.

Hope this helps.
 
Be aware, my clear case with magsafe magnet ring got scratched by magsafe car mount
Fortunately, i ve bought from Amazon for few bucks (20)
I also ordered same kind of magsafe clear case from Aliexpress for less than 4 bucks lol (i got pretty good discount)
This one has stronger magnet (the one from Amazon doesnt have the little vertical stick) and it holds way more firmly
I can guarantee it wont fall off since the amazon case does already a pretty good job (it holds good enough no matter if my car is jumping due to the severe road bumps)
 
Last edited:
Can anyone recommend a cheaper alternative to the Belkin that has the MagSafe magnet for the car mount but not a charging function? Looking to mount it on a vent too.
 
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Pearson99 said:
Anyone know anything about this ??
Is it any good ??
teckape.com

TeckApe™ iPhone 12 MagSafe Car Vent Mount Wireless Charger

Just place your iPhone 12 series device against the MagSafe car mount and go. Designed to provide a seamless set-and-drive experience, while keeping your new iPhone safely mounted and charged conveniently within view in landscape or portrait mode.
teckape.com teckape.com
Click to expand...

The problem with all of these circular mounts is that the phone will rotate when you're driving. (I'm currently using an Apple MagSafe charger to do the same thing, and it rotates/drifts.)
 
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eekcat said:
The problem with all of these circular mounts is that the phone will rotate when you're driving. (I'm currently using an Apple MagSafe charger to do the same thing, and it rotates/drifts.)
Click to expand...

I'm using the Apple MagSafe charger in my car... and the Apple MagSafe Silicone case.

Luckily the Silicone case is grippy enough that it doesn't rotate.

:)
 
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Pearson99 said:
Anyone know anything about this ??
Is it any good ??
teckape.com

TeckApe™ iPhone 12 MagSafe Car Vent Mount Wireless Charger

Just place your iPhone 12 series device against the MagSafe car mount and go. Designed to provide a seamless set-and-drive experience, while keeping your new iPhone safely mounted and charged conveniently within view in landscape or portrait mode.
teckape.com teckape.com
Click to expand...
You can find this on aliexpress, those websites are using dropshipping and price that at a premium.
 
Quintus said:
I bought the Belkin MagSafe and the Tech Ape MagSafe vent mount. The Tech Ape also acts as a MagSafe charger. I get the MagSafe image when charging. Seems to maintain my battery charge level while using NAV software, playing podcasts and keeping the screen on. If I turn the screen off, then I start getting positive charging.

Personally, I prefer the Tech Ape model which is simply a magnetic circle rather than a rectangle which, IMHO, looks too bulky in the car.

The Tech Ape also has a better vent connector system that you can tighten to get a solid connection.

I use the iPhone12 Pro with an Apple leather MagSafe case. The phone is quite secure for normal day to day driving. It might let go if I go off-road but that is a rare occurrence.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Does looks matter when your phone is attached to it covering up the entire thing? I’d rather have something actually hold the phone and not rotate while shaking in the car but hey we can’t have it all 😘.
more magnets the better.
 
Quintus said:
I bought the Belkin MagSafe and the Tech Ape MagSafe vent mount. The Tech Ape also acts as a MagSafe charger. I get the MagSafe image when charging. Seems to maintain my battery charge level while using NAV software, playing podcasts and keeping the screen on. If I turn the screen off, then I start getting positive charging.

Personally, I prefer the Tech Ape model which is simply a magnetic circle rather than a rectangle which, IMHO, looks too bulky in the car.

The Tech Ape also has a better vent connector system that you can tighten to get a solid connection.

I use the iPhone12 Pro with an Apple leather MagSafe case. The phone is quite secure for normal day to day driving. It might let go if I go off-road but that is a rare occurrence.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
I have squared magsafe car mount, those typical model from Aliexpress
I had circular magsafe case without that vertical line stick
It does hold well, i have changed for a fully magsafe case with that vertical line stick, magnets are actually much stronger
I also noticed due to the weight/size of my phone (note its only 12 Mini which is way smaller than 12 Pro), support can be inclined, imagine bigger iPhone such as 12 Pro Max holding on smaller support, i would be little bit afraid when driving
Those air vent clamp arent the best for stability tho
However the phone is quite secure even i go off road and take many bumps
I think bigger support surface can help in order to secure the phone
Also believe Magsafe vertical line stick can help in order to have stronger magnets
 
Just a heads up, any MagSafe car mount you purchase without a charging port in the mount itself isn't very future-proof given the next iPhone might be port-less.

Edit - I actually changed my mind on this one. I think we will see a magnet-like smart adapter when the port is ditched. Not an actual portless iPhone.
 
Last edited:
Quintus said:
I bought the Belkin MagSafe and the Tech Ape MagSafe vent mount. The Tech Ape also acts as a MagSafe charger. I get the MagSafe image when charging. Seems to maintain my battery charge level while using NAV software, playing podcasts and keeping the screen on. If I turn the screen off, then I start getting positive charging.

Personally, I prefer the Tech Ape model which is simply a magnetic circle rather than a rectangle which, IMHO, looks too bulky in the car.

The Tech Ape also has a better vent connector system that you can tighten to get a solid connection.

I use the iPhone12 Pro with an Apple leather MagSafe case. The phone is quite secure for normal day to day driving. It might let go if I go off-road but that is a rare occurrence.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Can you link the Tech Ape one please.
 
eekcat said:
The problem with all of these circular mounts is that the phone will rotate when you're driving. (I'm currently using an Apple MagSafe charger to do the same thing, and it rotates/drifts.)
Click to expand...

I've been using an identical model to this I got from eBay and my 12 Pro does not rotate.
I'm not saying it can't. But mine just doesn't. Nor my wife's. Maybe if you're going off-roading or going caseless, but if you're using a case with its own magnets it's just not an issue.
The Amazon reviews also complain about the magnets so maybe the eBay version is stronger?

smile.amazon.com

TOZO W8 Wireless Car Charger Auto-attraction Magnets Fast Charging Air Vent Mount Compatible for iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/ 12 Pro Max NO AC Adapter (Compatible with Mag-Safe Charger Magnetic Charging)

Smarter Automatic Magnets Design: Enhances wireless charging with closed magnetic field technology. Compatible with iPhone 12 series and supports charge-through cases with built-in magnets. One Hand Operation: Rotatable mount and 360° rotating ball for optimal viewing angle. Use your phone's apps...
smile.amazon.com
 
Gjwilly said:
I've been using an identical model to this I got from eBay and my 12 Pro does not rotate.
I'm not saying it can't. But mine just doesn't. Nor my wife's. Maybe if you're going off-roading or going caseless, but if you're using a case with its own magnets it's just not an issue.
The Amazon reviews also complain about the magnets so maybe the eBay version is stronger?

smile.amazon.com

TOZO W8 Wireless Car Charger Auto-attraction Magnets Fast Charging Air Vent Mount Compatible for iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/ 12 Pro Max NO AC Adapter (Compatible with Mag-Safe Charger Magnetic Charging)

Smarter Automatic Magnets Design: Enhances wireless charging with closed magnetic field technology. Compatible with iPhone 12 series and supports charge-through cases with built-in magnets. One Hand Operation: Rotatable mount and 360° rotating ball for optimal viewing angle. Use your phone's apps...
smile.amazon.com
Click to expand...
I’ve had both the eBay and Amazon versions and the eBay magnet is definitely stronger (and agree, no rotation)
 
New to this thread, but I'd like to recommend the Nato Smart Mount XL. This a newer, stronger mount than the previous Nato mount and it comes with a metal O ring that's made for wireless charging. I have iPhone 12 Pro with the Apple Leather MagSafe case and it works great. You don't even have to peel off the sticky part on the O ring because the magnet on the phone and the case keeps it in place.

https://natomounts.com/XLBlackCart_ep_57.html
 
Gjwilly said:
I've been using an identical model to this I got from eBay and my 12 Pro does not rotate.
I'm not saying it can't. But mine just doesn't. Nor my wife's. Maybe if you're going off-roading or going caseless, but if you're using a case with its own magnets it's just not an issue.
The Amazon reviews also complain about the magnets so maybe the eBay version is stronger?

smile.amazon.com

TOZO W8 Wireless Car Charger Auto-attraction Magnets Fast Charging Air Vent Mount Compatible for iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/ 12 Pro Max NO AC Adapter (Compatible with Mag-Safe Charger Magnetic Charging)

Smarter Automatic Magnets Design: Enhances wireless charging with closed magnetic field technology. Compatible with iPhone 12 series and supports charge-through cases with built-in magnets. One Hand Operation: Rotatable mount and 360° rotating ball for optimal viewing angle. Use your phone's apps...
smile.amazon.com
Click to expand...

I tried this one and it wouldn't even hold my iPhone 12 Pro Max when stationary, much less hold it while driving -- not even close. Returned.
 
eekcat said:
I tried this one and it wouldn't even hold my iPhone 12 Pro Max when stationary, much less hold it while driving -- not even close. Returned.
Click to expand...
The original Magsafe works best. Just get a holder for it you won’t regret it.
 
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