Googlers with an affinity for drops or a sense of style on the go have a new accessory to choose from. For $7, you can get the Rope Wristlet: a small polyester strap with a little Google icon that, thanks to a discreet anchor plate that goes between your phone and case, would allow you to dangle your Pixel from your wrist.
What the Rope Wristlet Is and How It Works
That is what this comes down to — a minimal safety tether. The wrist-sized loop clicks onto a tiny D-ring on a flat insert that you install between your phone and case. There’s no adhesive to muck up your device, and no permanent hardware to fiddle around with, making it a low-commitment add-on for the pocket that carries all.
Google advertises it for Pixel phones, but says it also works with most other smartphones and cases. The big exception is the Pixel Fold: the insert can’t fit inside such a hinge-and-form-factor arrangement, so foldable owners should skip it.
How it connects and what to expect during use
Installation is easy: take off your case, put the plate on with the D-ring sticking out through an opening in the case, and snap it back on. Closed-bottom cases that clamp around the frame tend to grip onto the plate best. Ultra-tight or stiff cases might take some patience, and the most open-bottomed designs may not give enough structure to the ring.
The anchor being positioned under your case means that it won’t block the charging port and shouldn’t interfere with wireless charging for most Pixels. But if your case is ultra-snug, or contains internal magnets of the opposite polarity, it’s worth a brief fit check before regular daily use.
Practically speaking, a wrist strap looks best on those who commute by crowded train, attend concerts, or take one-handed photos. Allstate Protection Plans’ long history of drop tests has demonstrated that even the newest flagship models can shatter from pocket height; with just a simple tether, you’re significantly reducing the likelihood that a fumble becomes a cracked screen.
Colors, materials, and how the wristlet feels
The Rope Wristlet’s Blue/Purple, Black/Gray, and Green/Yellow dual-tone options make it look sweet without screaming. The polyester weave is pleasingly dense and soft against the skin and firm enough to resist fraying after repeated use. The minimalism is broken up only by a discreet Google wordmark.
Don’t expect luxury trimmings here. This is a featherweight rope that comes with a primitive connector, meant to be flung at your rotation and not thought of again until it saves your phone from thrashing on a sidewalk trip.
Why phone straps are suddenly everywhere
Google’s timing is plain, and it reflects a larger trend: major brands are finally passing the baton to straps and “danglers” after years of having the scenario dominated by third parties. Apple only recently added its own crossbody-style strap option for the iPhone, and it’s one made with high-quality materials and hardware, including magnets that snap into place — not unlike this Google version and similar plate- or anchor-based systems created by case makers like Casetify, Peak Design, and Spigen.
The move makes sense. Research firms like NPD and IDC have reported steady growth in phone protection and personalization accessories — a multibillion-dollar category fueled by bulkier, heavier devices and increasing repair costs. And though a few (like Sony’s Xperia line) still have lanyard holes, most recent high-end Android phones do not, paving the way for an unassuming and universal add-on like this one.
Value versus premium options: what you give up
At $7, Google’s Rope Wristlet is cheaper than any of the fancy options by a long shot. You won’t get stainless steel hardware, recycled performance yarns, or magnetic adjustments found on pricier straps, but you’re getting the function that counts: a reliable wrist tether that’s easy to install.
If you need a strap that can also double as a crossbody sling or play nicely within the confines of a larger system with mounting plates and wallets, then high-end systems are still where you want to look.
If all you’re looking for is a wrist loop to reduce drop anxiety without changing the way you use your phone, this budget pick nails the brief.
Who should buy it and who should probably skip it
Commuters, parents juggling strollers and coffee cups, photographers — indeed anyone with human-sized hands — will get immediate mileage. It is also a quiet win for accessibility, providing additional security to users who suffer from grip fatigue. Remember the obvious, too: a strap is not a swing. Resist the urge to twirl your phone and minimize snags from machinery or a packed bag zipper.
For everyone else, the math is obvious. Seven dollars for a little peace of mind and a pop of color? Sure thing — provided your case is accommodating and you’re not using a foldable phone.
