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I have a Toyota Matrix and want to mount my iPhone 7 ( or future versions) for easy access to directions, etc. while still being able to charge it. Right now it sits in the cup holder or I stuff it behind the strap on the sun visor, neither of which is ideal. The Matrix doesn't have many great mounting spots where I could clip something to the dash, and I'd rather not block any of my vents. Any suggestions?

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    I do not think this needs a lifehack solution. There are many commercially available phone holders, many of them come with a sucker that will attach to the window or the dash and hold all kinds of phones safely.
    – Willeke
    Sep 23, 2017 at 7:49
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    Not a suggestion or endorsement for any particular product, but a quick google search turned up this to show that such products are available and easy to find: staples.ca/en/Dash-Crab-Smartphone-Car-Mount/…
    – Anthony X
    Sep 23, 2017 at 15:11
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    A lot of phone holders are available in the market, please do Google them and find out that suits you
    – MANEESH MOHAN
    Sep 24, 2017 at 6:42
  • @Willeke I honestly would love to see a good lifehack to this question, I do. At least there are two ideas below that go beyond the obvious 'commercially available phone holder', but the number of those other suggestions goes imo out of hand and drown the more original suggestions. I'm honestly not sure how to improve/fix that. I've flagged the question to get a newbie lock put on, but is that going to be enough?
    – Flint
    Sep 30, 2017 at 14:45
  • @Flint Many interesting (if not pure lifehack) questions are closed, answers deleted and the questions hidden or wiped (can not see what, not having enough rep.) This one was marked 'not needing life hack solution before the answers were given and was left open, not even protected so all new guys can add their favorite internet bought solution.
    – Willeke
    Sep 30, 2017 at 16:49

5 Answers 5

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I use a magnet, like this:

pumkin
It costs 10.99€

Pros:

  • Easy to install
  • flexible 360 Degrees
  • simple attaching

Cons:

  • price

  • fix on phone or case

A cheap alternative for tinkerer

You could simply stripe a rubberband through your cooling system like this:

Rubberband lifehack

This would be an ultimate lifehack.

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  • That answer has already been given.
    – Chenmunka ♦
    Sep 26, 2017 at 11:21
  • yes, see my answer
    – bigbadmouse
    Sep 26, 2017 at 13:46
  • This seems to be a product, not a hack.
    – RedGrittyBrick
    Sep 28, 2017 at 10:37
  • @RedGrittyBrick you're right, so I edited it.
    – 0x45
    Sep 28, 2017 at 13:56
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As I have already commented, a simple google search will provide you enough results, anyway, I am adding up a bit for you.

The following is most suited for you, as it neither does any harm to your dashboard nor it does any harm to your vents.
enter image description here

The best position for fixing would be the one as shown below enter image description here

Even you can find certain models that are designed to fit your car, by searching for: "Dashboard Phone Mount Holder"

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I found a magnetic holder - it fits to the air vent (but you can also get windshield mounts) and I can see it easily. It comes with a small adhesive magnet that I mount invisibly inside my phone's protective shell. Its much smaller than the first solution shown above. You can pivot it to your preference.

magnetic phone holder example

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I find heavy, non-slip holders to be the best. Rather than using suction cups or clips, they use their weight and a non-slip coating to stay in place. They are easy to position on the dashboard and easy to remove.

I find suction cups always come away eventually. The constant heating/cooling cycles inside cars probably don't help. Clips cover your vents.

Magnetic mounts work well for holding the phone, but be aware that they affect the accelerometer and compass. GPS is usually fine but you may find your phone doesn't detect the direction it is facing quite as well as it otherwise would.

Another excellent option is to avoid mounting the phone at all and get a head unit that supports Carplay (or Android Auto for Android devices, or just plain MirrorLink). This will allow you to plug the phone in and keep it out of the way, with the app displayed on the car's infotainment screen.

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  • This is super helpful, thanks! Except my car is older and doesn't have any kind of screen.
    – Dandan
    Sep 26, 2017 at 16:46
  • If it has an old style head unit you might be able to upgrade it fairly easily.
    – ａａａ
    Sep 27, 2017 at 14:42
  • That's probably true but is well outside the range of what I'm interested in doing :)
    – Dandan
    Sep 27, 2017 at 14:47
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Nato Mount

Get a nato mount. A few of us in my Jeep club have them and they survive some pretty extreme trail runs and rock climbing. The magnet is super strong.

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  • Welcome to Lifehacks, IdahoFish and thanks for your answer. Just some feedback. This site is about life-hacks, uncommon solutions to common problems. We welcome posts that introduce new ways to solve a problem and there were already two posts that recommended the concept of magnetic phone holders. So the new thing from your post is, that you are recommending another make of a magnetic phone holder. Comparing products is not what this site is about though.
    – Flint
    Sep 30, 2017 at 15:18

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