Apple’s new $60 iPhone crossbody strap makes your phone something you wear, not just carry. Having spent a week with it in airports, on commutes, and at my desk, I have solid advice about who should buy it, how you should use it, and where the product falls short.
What the Strap Is, and How It Works in Practice
The strap attaches to two lanyard points integrated into Apple’s newest iPhone cases and is made from fabric that has an interior band woven with magnets. Two buckles control length, and the magnets keep dangling material in its place. The hardware is premium and intentionally overbuilt—more camera sling than fashion trinket.
It’s detachable, but not quickly. By design, the magnetic fasteners are stiff in operation, which is good when you’re on the go but can be frustrating if you want to mount your phone on a bike mount or car cradle. And, once off, the strap doesn’t stow away neatly; it’s a small annoyance but one you will notice in a backpack or jacket pocket.
How the iPhone Crossbody Strap Performs in Daily Use
Travel is the strap’s native habitat. With a carry-on in one hand and coffee or perhaps a cane in the other, it was much faster to have the phone hanging by its cord at hip or chest level than reaching into an interior pocket of my jacket for a boarding pass, against which I could rub my wallet card and still get electronic verification. The Transportation Security Administration has processed nearly 3 million passengers per day during peak season, and anything that cuts down fumbling at checkpoints is welcome.
It all adds up to hands-free moments outside of the airport. In packed trains, the strap kept the phone at the ready without needing to go in a pocket; during rideshares, I could check notifications or maps without fumbling. If you take photos in the moment frequently, that camera is quite literally at the ready — and it will be easier to avoid missed shots.
What to Expect in Terms of Practical Trade-offs
Weight is the first surprise. The fabric plus magnets are heftier than the strap appears, and all that weight can tug a light phone toward the edge of a slick table. Try putting it down while the strap is still off the surface and gravity will happen. It’s better to wear it bunched up or entirely coiled if you are sitting.
Snagging is the second. They love to grab the band as you rise out of chair arms, bag straps, and airplane seat hardware. The hardware survives these jars, but your nerves will not. Adapt the length so your phone is at your torso, not hip, and minimize the jerk potential.
Accidental taps are the third. When it’s hanging at your side, unlocked, stray touches can send a message or make a call. You can make a few easy settings tweaks — turn off Tap to Wake, shorten Auto-Lock, and keep Attention Aware Features on so the screen stays dim unless you’re looking at it. It becomes routine to lock your device before it hangs itself up within a day.
Safety and Accessibility Considerations
If you’re a city dweller and use crowded sidewalks, crossbody can be a deterrent as well as a magnet. The strap deters casual snatching, but it also broadcasts the location of your phone. Carrying it across the chest and hidden under a jacket is more modest than letting it swing on your hip.
The strap can truly be enabling for anyone who is working with mobility or pain. To keep your phone reachable without bending into a pocket is a tiny but impactful ergonomic victory. And with tens of millions of phones damaged each year, according to estimates from the insurance industry, it also may not be trivial that merely being slightly less likely to drop your phone by accident while you’re juggling other objects is no small thing.
Buying Advice: Who It’s For and Who It Isn’t For
Buy it if you travel often, frequent festivals or sports events, take lots of photos and video, or require a nimble grip when wielding a cane, stroller, or suitcase.
In those cases, the hands-free convenience outweighs the eccentricities.
Pass on it if your day involves a lot of desk time, you ride with a handlebar mount, or there’s the potential you’ll set your phone down on a smooth surface. You’ll be more preoccupied handling the bulk of a strap and spend less time enjoying your investment.
If you’re not sure, it’s a matter of length strategy. Worn at chest level, it keeps the screen in sight and minimizes snags. Worn low on the hip is more casual but attracts bumps and unintended touches. Ease in slowly, work your way shorter, and allow yourself to relax into it.
Alternatives exist. Third-party sling systems with quick-release clips and lighter webbing can be more comfortable, and some case makers sell cases that have integrated D-rings which swivel to cut down on twist. They don’t have Apple’s magnetic tidiness, but they store more conveniently and detach more quickly.
After a Week of Actual Use: Final Impressions
Apple’s crossbody strap is a well-engineered accessory with an obvious purpose: to turn your iPhone into a piece of wearable tech that stays where you need it as you move. It absolutely does that. The trade-offs — weight, snagging, and occasional rogue tap — are real but dealable with a few habit changes and smart settings.
My suggestion is to look at it as a situational tool. It’s a keeper for travel days, congested commutes, and camera-laden outings. On desk days, it’s mostly obtrusive. If those use cases fit into your life, you’re good with that $60. If not, you’re going to be happier with a lighter third-party sling — or even just a good pocket.