Do Magnetic Phone Mounts Damage Your Phone? MagSafe, Cards and Wireless Charging

by

Magnetic phone mounts are popular and generally safe for modern phones, but a few things are worth knowing.

Will the Magnet Damage the Phone?

The small magnets used in phone mounts are not strong enough to damage a modern phone’s screen, memory or battery. Modern phones store data in flash memory, which magnets do not affect.

What Magnets Can Affect

  • Compass: a nearby magnet can briefly disturb the phone’s compass. It usually recovers when you move the phone away, and recalibrating helps.
  • Magnetic-stripe cards: keep credit cards and hotel key cards away from the magnet or plate, since strong magnets can affect them.
  • Pacemakers and medical devices: if you have one, keep magnets away and ask your doctor.

MagSafe and Built-In Magnets

Phones with built-in MagSafe-style magnets work with matching mounts and give the strongest hold. For other phones, a mount that uses a metal plate on the back of the phone or case is used instead.

Metal Plates and Wireless Charging

A metal plate stuck to the back of the phone can block wireless charging or cause heat. Position the plate away from the charging coil, or use a phone case designed for it. See my wireless charger fixes.

Tips for Safe Use

  • Centre the plate for balance.
  • Do not leave the phone in direct sun on the mount.
  • Choose a strong magnet and sturdy arm on rough roads.

If your holder is dropping the phone, read why a car phone holder keeps falling off, and see my best car phone holders.