A MagSafe adapter is the one ring to rule them all

Various MagSafe accessories for Android phones on a white table.
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Gadget Weekly

Inspector Lloyd

(Image credit: Android Central)

Join Namerah Saud Fatmi as she explores the cool, quirky, and sometimes downright odd world of smartphone accessories, gadgets, and other nerdy toys every week.

Hello, fellow beings on the internet! Welcome to my corner of Android Central where I nerd out over all the weird and wonderful accessories that make our lives easier, better, and sometimes, more fun. Gadget Weekly is where I explore the coolest new knickknacks that I've come across, love, and think need to be on your radar.

For the first issue of this new weekly column, I'd like to kick things off by featuring the cheap and cheerful MagSafe adapter ring for Android. It's the one ring to rule all of your smartphone accessories for several good reasons.

MagSafe PopSocket on Pixel Fold

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

I've heard varying opinions about MagSafe adapter rings, but for the most part, people seem to love them. If you're still on the fence about them, you should really consider getting one. It's something so cheap and simple and can be such a versatile tool. You no longer have to worry about which phone case to get as you can add and subtract features on demand with a MagSafe accessory. A few dollars can add MagSafe capability to virtually any case or phone skin. Once you've stuck the little adhesive magnetic ring to the back of your phone, you're all set.

You might be worried about the strength of the adhesive, but trust me when I say that your fears are unfounded. That's as long as you buy one from a decent brand, of course. Anything from Spigen, ESR, Ringke, PopSockets, or similarly well-reputed brands should do. My team members and I have tested these rings on cases as well as skins, such as the ones Drband makes, and they stay put.

For example, my colleague Nick experimented with a Spigen MagSafe ring back when he was testing the Pixel Fold. As risky as that may sound, his plan was a success, and he had good fun using MagSafe phone stands, wallets, and other such paraphernalia with it.

MagSafe Adapter Ring and MagSafe phone grip on a Google Pixel 6.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Recently, I decided to add a MagSafe ring to both my phone's case as well as the device itself. I'm rocking a Pixel 6, pictured above, and it has the Dbrand Something skin on. The PopSockets MagSafe ring that I slapped on the back has been through heaven and hell. I'm a really heavy user and I tend to chuck my phone in my purse along with a million other things. The ring didn't budge though, and I didn't drop my phone either.

Right after getting a case and screen protector for your phone, you need to get a MagSafe adapter.

To take things further, I used branded and off-brand phone grips that I found for a few bucks online. While I was extremely nervous, I'm happy to report that my phone never fell off the magnetic grip, the MagSafe adapter stayed right where it was stuck, and both grips worked marvelously well.

Using the Spigen O-Mag Ring phone webcam mount with a Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

It's so convenient to snap your phone onto a magnetic car phone holder or slap on a MagSafe wallet on the back. This is going to be one of the first phone accessories that I recommend to anyone going forward. Right after getting a case and screen protector for your phone, you need to get a MagSafe adapter.

Using a MagSafe ring on Android completely changes your world.

Using a MagSafe ring on Android completely changes your world. It's a whole new way to use accessories with your device. This is the closest we can come to experiencing Qi2 on current devices if used with a MagSafe wireless charger for Android.

So, if you're on the fence, I hope I convinced you otherwise. Spend that $10 to $15 because it's totally worth it. You're suddenly able to use a whole world of accessories that were previously limited to iPhones exclusively. Every brand from Anker to ESR has dedicated MagSafe lineups that are so creative. Just look at the ESR HaloLock series and Spigen's MagFit series, for instance. You'll have so much fun using your phone, just like I did.

Namerah Saud Fatmi
Editor — Accessories, speakers, and tablets

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.

  • waqqas31
    I like the article's title 😂😂
    Reply
  • Village_Idiot
    This would be great if you can install it on the inside of the case.
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    Village_Idiot said:
    This would be great if you can install it on the inside of the case.
    You are better off with a case with magsafe built-in. Despite whatever the author says in the article I didn't read, the adhesive rings aren't very elegant and don't really hold up very well over time.
    Reply
  • Village_Idiot
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    You are better off with a case with magsafe built-in. Despite whatever the author says in the article I didn't read, the adhesive rings aren't very elegant and don't really hold up very well over time.
    Magsafe cases are better. But, there are limited choices for Android phones. That is why adapter rings are popular. He did say that rings from a decent brand like Spigen were reliable. Personally, I'm not worried about the strength of the adhesive.

    My case is a standard TPU case with a Koa wood back. I'm NOT sticking a ring on the wood portion. If mounting it on the inside of the case would still allow the case to still fit properly, then I would probably get one.
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    Village_Idiot said:
    Magsafe cases are better. But, there are limited choices for Android phones. That is why adapter rings are popular. He did say that rings from a decent brand like Spigen were reliable. Personally, I'm not worried about the strength of the adhesive.

    My case is a standard TPU case with a Koa wood back. I'm NOT sticking a ring on the wood portion. If mounting it on the inside of the case would still allow the case to still fit properly, then I would probably get one.
    And it wouldn't work because there would be too much material in between the two sets of magnets. It is subjective,, but personally while I use magsafe everyday and find it incredibly useful if I had to resort to a ring I don't think it would be worth using.
    Reply
  • Village_Idiot
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    And it wouldn't work because there would be too much material in between the two sets of magnets. It is subjective,, but personally while I use magsafe everyday and find it incredibly useful if I had to resort to a ring I don't think it would be worth using.
    Maybe. But Pono Woodworks, the place that made my case, makes a Magsafe one too...

    https://ponowoodworks.com/collections/koa-phone-case-collection/products/premium-magsafe-koa-wood-inlay-phone-cases-handcrafted-in-hawaii
    He does custom work, so I am wondering if he could make one for the S22 Ultra with a Tiger Shark.

    Hmmm... Let me think about this.

    P.S. I emailed Kona Woodworks asking if they can make a MagSafe case for the S22 Ultra.
    Reply
  • Village_Idiot
    @fuzzylumpkin
    Update: Pono Woodworks says it can make a MagSafe case for the S22 Ultra. They have to research where the magnet goes.

    The plot thickens...
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    Pretty nice, sounds like a good company. I would imagine placement is identical to the S23U.
    Village_Idiot said:
    @fuzzylumpkin

    Update: Kona Woodworks says it can make a MagSafe case for the S22 Ultra. They have to research where the magnet goes.

    The plot thickens...
    Reply
  • Village_Idiot
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    Pretty nice, sounds like a good company. I would imagine placement is identical to the S23U.
    It came in today.

    Pono Woodworks

    https://ponowoodworks.com/collectio...-wood-inlay-phone-cases-handcrafted-in-hawaii
    He couldn't fit the tiger shark on it though.

    Reply