Does a Car Mount Work with a Phone Case?

A good car mount offers hands-free navigation, allowing you to see where you're going while keeping your eyes firmly on the road. This is important for both safety and convenience while driving, meaning you're less likely to get lost or veer off track!

Car mounts also secure your phone to stop it from sliding around in the back of the car or the bottom of a bag, which reduces the risk of damage from any sudden impact.

Phone cases share some of these benefits, with features such as shock-absorbing technology and military-grade protection preventing scratches and cracks when your device is accidentally dropped. However, are phone cases and car mounts compatible, or do you need to remove the protective cover before setting off on your journey? Let’s explore!

Do Car Mounts Support Phone Cases?

The general answer to this question is yes, a car mount should hold your phone with the case on to ensure full functionality and protection. However, not every mount works with every phone case, and their compatibility depends on the following factors:

Case Type

Although good-quality car mounts will support a variety of phone cases, some types naturally work better than others due to their size, thickness, and weight. For instance, slim cases are often the best choice because they are thin enough to fit securely onto the car mount, without risk of falling.

Bulkier, rugged phone cases may be more difficult, since the extra thickness can affect the mount's ability to grip onto the case's edges. They may also weigh the mount down, causing it to become unstable and fall off your dashboard or air vent.

Another popular case type that may not work with a car mount is wallet phone cases, particularly those that cover both the front and back of your device. The front flap with cardholder slots would need to be folded back, which creates interference between the mount and the phone.

However, a detachable wallet generally works great with a magnetic mount, since the cardholder function can be removed as and when needed to ensure that it securely fits onto the mount's metal plate.

Mount Type

Car mounts can be attached to your vehicle's inner surfaces in a variety of ways, with each offering unique benefits in terms of viewing angles and case compatibility. Here's how the type of mount chosen impacts whether or not you'll need to remove your phone case:

Suction Cup Mount

Suction cup phone holders create a partial vacuum using negative air pressure to keep your device stable, even through significant shaking.

As a versatile accessory, these cups can be placed on either the dashboard or windshield depending on your preferred view during the journey. This mount type holds small cases securely, while struggling with larger cases that affect the cup's ability to stick down properly.

Clip-On Mount

Clip-on car mounts have grips that hold onto the edges of your phone case. These can be adjusted to suit various phone models and sizes, meaning that they should work with plenty of different case types.

However, the clips may struggle to hold particularly large cases, depending on how far they can be extended.

Magnetic Mounts

Magnetic car mounts use metal plates to form a strong connection that firmly holds your phone in place. This type of mount works with built-in magnetic phone cases, such as those with Apple's patented MagSafe technology.

Alternatively, you may be able to purchase this accessory separately if your case can hold a metal plate without compromising its protective capabilities.

Strength of the Mount

Mounts that rely on a weak adhesive to stick to your dashboard or window are less likely to support a phone case than a strong magnetic mount with a metal plate.

Even with magnetic mounts, the quality differs from brand to brand, with some magnets holding phone cases less successfully than others. Before purchasing, check the product description and read real customer reviews to ensure that the mount is designed to stay secure across road bumps and sharp turns.

How to Choose the Best Case for Your Car Mount

Want to purchase a high-quality car mount, but unsure of where to start? Consider these 3 crucial factors when selecting the ideal mount type for your vehicle:

1. Go for Slim Protective Cases

To ensure that the car mount properly holds your phone, select a case with the least bulk possible.

While heavy-duty cases offer the most defence against drops and falls, as we've mentioned, they aren't the most suited to suction cup or clip-on mounts with adjustable grips.

Instead look for slim cases with protective features, such as the Ghostek Covert. This crystal-clear case has a sleek, lightweight design, yet features shock-absorbing corners, lifted screen bumpers, a raised camera lens perimeter, and anti-slip grip to ensure solid impact protection.

2. Look for MagSafe Compatibility

If you decide to go with a magnetic mount for its superior strength and grip, buy a phone case that also features built-in magnets to ensure compatibility.

A great choice is a MagSafe-compatible case, which comes with a magnetic attachment system that forms a strong connection between your phone and various MagSafe accessories. As well as car and bicycle mounts, this includes power banks, wireless chargers, and armband attachments for exercise.

MagSafe cases therefore not only ensure stability, but also open up your phone to a whole host of other on-the-go activities!

3. Check Mount Compatibility

Not all phone cases are built to work with every type of mount. In fact, some are designed with a specific mount in mind.

So, if you're planning on taking your phone in the car, carefully read the case description before purchasing to see whether it mentions compatibility with a magnetic, suction, or clip-on mount, for example.

Ensure Optimal Stability with a Magnetic Phone Case

At Ghostek, our magnetic MagSafe-compatible cases are specially designed to work with the NRGmount Car Mount. This device offers multiple vent mounting options and comes with advanced heat management to prevent hot or cold air from affecting its durability.

Enjoy 15W fast wireless charging, plus a premium minimalist, yet secure design that won't take up space in your car. You'll therefore never have to worry about running out of power or watching as your phone falls on long journeys.

Visit the Ghostek website today to discover our collection of slim and shockproof phone cases that combine best-in-class engineering with sleek design, built specially for a range of iPhone and Android devices.