Who's getting a crossbody strap?

[TJ82]

In the UK here which isn't safe in some areas like London to have your iPhone on show as it will get snatched (80,000 phones snatched in the UK last year, worse than most people realise: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/26/mobile-phone-theft-europe-uk-police)

I know how bad it is from working in London. Have lots of stories of failed snatch attempts in broad daylight from friends and colleagues.

Soon as I saw the crossbody strap I thought instantly how ridiculous such a thing is. Almost begging to be robbed here.

But I guess there is a big market for this if Apple has entered it so wanted to ask. Who's getting one and where do you use it. Do you feel safe in your area using this in public there? I have a friend in Singapore who says there's virtually no crime there, just feels so safe to walk around, even late at night. I also lived in Shanghai for a few years and that felt really safe too.

 

[HerbertDerb]

I keep my phone in my (FRONT) pocket. No need to wear my iPhone like a bag with overpriced strap

 

[vvvvvv]

It feels like their attempt at a solution for cell phones being too big for pockets, not a ton of foresight there.

 

[Tb87Bln]

In the UK here which isn't safe in some areas like London to have your iPhone on show as it will get snatched (80,000 phones snatched in the UK last year, worse than most people realise: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/26/mobile-phone-theft-europe-uk-police)

I know how bad it is from working in London. Have lots of stories of failed snatch attempts in broad daylight from friends and colleagues.

Soon as I saw the crossbody strap I thought instantly how ridiculous such a thing is. Almost begging to be robbed here.

But I guess there is a big market for this if Apple has entered it so wanted to ask. Who's getting one and where do you use it. Do you feel safe in your area using this in public there? I have a friend in Singapore who says there's virtually no crime there, just feels so safe to walk around, even late at night. I also lived in Shanghai for a few years and that felt really safe too.

Seriously? Is it that bad in London? I can’t believe it… (I live in Berlin)

I never ever worried about someone snatching my phone while I am holding it… pick pockets yes, but snatching it out of my hands… guess I‘ve just unlocked another fear…(might just get apple care+ with theft and loss…)

 

[BabyFu18]

So maybe a lot of people wouldn’t use the strap but I for one would, I tried to use one in the past but they never played well with the Apple silicone cases. I’m a manual wheelchair user and need my hands free to wheel around so having my phone on a crossbody strap is helpful, it’s still there when I need it without me having to have it laying on my lap or beside my hip and possibly falling out of my chair (which has happened more times than it should). Though I keep a bag on the back of my chair having my phone in it isn’t very convenient when I want to use my phone for mobile orders, paying for things in the store, having my phone out in my hands at concerts, on public transit, etc. In situations where I may quickly need to be hands free to wheel myself around having my phone on a cross body strap means I can drop it easily and move without worry of my phone falling.

As far as feeling safe having your phone out either in hand or on a crossbody strap, I feel totally safe doing that out and about in daily life.

 

[adrianlondon]

I've never used one but quite like the idea of them.

When cycling, or when inside museums etc, I think it could be useful just to have the phone quick to grab. I often go on short bike rides and it'll save me having the phone in my pocket - I'm sometimes worried it'll slide out!

Also, shortened and wrapped around my wrist I'm less likely to worry about holding the phone out over a bridge or through metal bars or out of a window, knowing if I drop it, it'll just dangle there.

As for theft ... I'm careful in London and have never had nor seen any issues. However, a decent strap will make it a bit trickier for someone to just grab. Maybe it can be made long enough so the phone can still go in my pocket with the strap around my neck - or maybe just shove the entire strap into my pocket too and wear it when actually using the phone.

It seems very expensive, though. If it can be returned back to the store like everything else, I may give it a try.

 

[GRIFROMLA]

I’m in SF, CA. I have a combination of small hands, butterfingers, a tendency to play with my phone (or whatever I’m holding) and a preference for the biggest screen possible. I drop my phones all the time. So I’ll definitely try the crossbody strap. It’s not really about access for me, it’s about not dropping it all the time. I feel safe (at least where we live) and I imagine if I don’t feel safe I’ll just put my phone away…

 

[darthbane2k]

In the UK here which isn't safe in some areas like London to have your iPhone on show as it will get snatched (80,000 phones snatched in the UK last year, worse than most people realise: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/26/mobile-phone-theft-europe-uk-police)

I know how bad it is from working in London. Have lots of stories of failed snatch attempts in broad daylight from friends and colleagues.

Soon as I saw the crossbody strap I thought instantly how ridiculous such a thing is. Almost begging to be robbed here.

But I guess there is a big market for this if Apple has entered it so wanted to ask. Who's getting one and where do you use it. Do you feel safe in your area using this in public there? I have a friend in Singapore who says there's virtually no crime there, just feels so safe to walk around, even late at night. I also lived in Shanghai for a few years and that felt really safe too.

The magnets make it more secure, plus if I were to get one I would just wear it under my jacket.

 

[adrianlondon]

There were so many comments about how the new strap being attached with magnets would make phones easy to steal, but when Apple finally showed photos and explained it, we learnt that the magnets are there simply to hold the flappy overhang bits together.

It should make adjustments easy to do on the fly.

It's looks like a good design, although I need to see one in the store to make sure.

 

[darthbane2k]

There were so many comments about how the new strap being attached with magnets would make phones easy to steal, but when Apple finally showed photos and explained it, we learnt that the magnets are there simply to hold the flappy overhang bits together.

It should make adjustments easy to do on the fly.

It's looks like a good design, although I need to see one in the store to make sure.

No the magnets secure the overlapping straps not the statement to the phone, far as I understand

 

[adrianlondon]

No the magnets secure the overlapping straps not the statement to the phone, far as I understand

Yes, which is what I said. Or at least tried to say 😁

 

[blaugrana69]

I can see a use in summer (we actually got one this year in the UK) particularly for the Pro Max. In winter coats no problem carrying the Pro Max around but in summer it can be a little more difficult, little heavy for shorts pockets.