MagSafe / Pixelsnap Compatible Wall Mount Phone Holder That Uses Cylindrical Magnets

This wall-mounted phone holder works with MagSafe or Pixelsnap devices. It uses standard cylindrical neodymium magnets arranged to mimic Apple's MagSafe spec. It self-centers like the real thing and meets the official magnetic force requirements.

Stick your phone to the wall in style! 

Device Compatibility

I have real-world tested the holder with a Google Pixel 10 Pro (native MagSafe), Pixel 6a with MagSafe case, and Lenovo Tab M8 with metal ring sticker. 

For iPhones, I only tested camera bump clearance in CAD using an iPhone 15 dummy model from GrabCAD, assuming the MagSafe magnet is in the dead center of the phone. It should not interfere with the camera bump. Let me know in the comments if there's interference with your device.

Magnet Array

MagSafe phone accessories that properly implement Apple's Accessory Design Guidelines (pages 197, 198) use a special magnet array that consists of an outer ring with the north pole facing towards the phone and an inner ring with the poles facing in the opposite direction, with a non-magnetized gap in between. 

This two-ring arrangement with opposite poles is what allows phones and accessories to self-center. Magic!

For this project, I created a magnet arrangement that resembles the MagSafe magnet array's two-ring system with 24 off-the-shelf 5x5mm N45 axially magnetized neodymium disc magnets, arranged in two circles with opposite poles, in order to recreate the self-centering mechanism and provide similar holding force. DC magnetic shielding is not implemented in this project.

Testing

Apple's Accessory Design Guidelines (page 185) say a MagSafe accessory shall require between 800gf and 1100gf to dislodge from a device. So I set up my own DIY test rig and ran the numbers.

It's important to note that the tests were done with the specific N45 magnets and mobile devices that I used.
As with all open-source projects, use at your own risk and do your own testing. Don’t sue me if your cat knocks your brand new shiny phone off the wall.

Pull Force Testing

To the best of my ability (and with a much smaller budget), I built a test setup close to how Apple describes it on page 195 in their guidelines. I clamped a Google Pixel 10 Pro (with Pixelsnap) to my workbench, and attached a Dyneema loop (for the scale hook) to the bottom of the wall mount. Using a fishing scale with 10g accuracy, I then repeatedly measured the pull force required to dislodge the mount from the phone. I recorded 20 tests.

Pixel 10 Pro test results:  1060gf, 1025gf, 1040gf, 970gf, 1045gf, 1055gf, 1035gf, 1080gf, 1015gf, 1020gf, 1055gf, 1025gf, 1050gf, 1040gf, 1070gf, 1040gf, 1025gf, 1040gf, 1070gf, 1050gf

This gives us a median pull force of 1040gf (10.2 N), which is well within the requirements.

Practical Testing

For some additional confidence, I also tested how well the magnetic attachment works in scenarios closer to real life. I attached the device to the phone holder and shook it (lightly) in both horizontal (device facing down) and vertical (as if mounted to a wall) orientations.

I tested the following devices:

All devices above were held firmly. The Pixel 10 and the cases that have proper MagSafe magnets snapped right in and self-centered perfectly. The metal ring stickers… not so much. It's necessary to ensure proper alignment manually. However, the magnetic force appears stronger with metal rings.

Versions

There are 4 versions of the Base:

• Mounting options: adhesive-mounted or screw-mounted
• Top cover attachment options: with heat-set inserts or directly screwing into the plastic

Required Hardware

Unless otherwise noted, all sourcing links have been tested by me.

Additional Parts

• Screw-mounted version: If you use the screw-mounted version you will additionally need two 3mm countersunk wood screws with a head diameter up to 8mm. If you want to use 3.5mm or 4mm screws you can ream the holes with a drill bit. 
• Adhesive-mounted version: You will need a strong, reliable adhesive, such as double-sided mounting tape. I used black 3M VHB tape. Tesa Strips or Command Strips are also possible options.

Printed Parts

Printing

Print the parts in the original orientation. All STLs have been pre-rotated into the right orientation for printing.

• Material: PLA, PETG, ASA, etc. Most rigid materials should be fine.
  You could try TPU for the Cover. Note that composites with abrasives (like carbon fiber or glass fiber filled filaments) could scratch your device.
• Layer height: 0.2mm
• Perimeters: 2 or 3 
• Extrusion width: 0.4 or 0.45
• Supports: No

⚠ Be careful when removing the Top Cover from the build plate. The part is very thin.

Assembly & Installation

Step 1: Insert Heat-Set Inserts

Using a soldering iron or heat-set insert press, insert the 3 heat-set inserts. Ensure that the inserts are flush with the surface or slightly below.

Step 2: Install Magnets

Take the Magnet Holder part.

First, make sure that there are no surface imperfections from over extrusion on the top surface. The part should be flat. If necessary, remove any bumps or waves with a file or sandpaper. Or re-print the part with tuned settings and dry filament.

Identify the north and south poles of your magnets. In the illustrations below the north pole is indicated in red.

Push 12 magnets into the holes on the outer ring of the Magnet Holder with the north pole facing up.
Verify your work by hovering over your magnets with another magnet.

Push 12 magnets into the holes on the inner ring of the Magnet Holder with the north pole facing down.
Verify your work again by hovering over your magnets with another magnet.

Make sure all the magnets are flush with the top surface of the printed part.
If you wish, you can epoxy the magnets but it's not necessary and makes repurposing later more difficult.
It's not a problem if the magnets are slightly loose as they will be sandwiched between the Base and the Top Cover.

Step 3: Finish Assembly

Place the Magnet Holder in Base and ensure that the screw holes are aligned.

Attach the Top Cover with the 3 M3 screws. Only lightly tighten the screws until they are snug. Do not over-tighten.

Step 4: Testing!

Yep, that's right. First we test because phones are expensive.

Over a soft surface, such as a bed, sofa, thick blanket, etc., attach your device to the phone holder. Hold the assembly by the printed part, device facing down, and lightly shake it. Rotate the assembly so that the device is vertical (as if mounted to a wall) and lightly shake it again.

• If the hold feels secure and the device did not slide or dislodge, nice! Stick to the wall and attach your phone. 
• If the device dislodged from the holder or slid during vertical shaking, your magnets are too weak and you should probably not use the holder. Try sourcing stronger magnets.

Step 5: Mounting

With Adhesive

Use an adhesive that is suitable for the mounting surface type, can hold the required weight, and can withstand the temperatures and humidity levels of the area where you will be mounting it. 
Read the manufacturer instructions and pay attention to pressure activation time and cure time.

With Screws

Remove the 3 M3 screws and remove the Top Cover and magnet Holder. Attach the Base to the mounting surface with screws and anchors suitable for the mounting surface (wood, concrete, drywall, etc). 
The mounting holes are 40mm apart horizontally and slightly offset vertically.

Re-insert the Magnet Holder and re-attach the Top Cover with the M3 screws.

FAQ

• Couldn't I just buy a wall mount?
  Absolutely! It's like 10 bucks on Amazon and probably works even better.

Additional Credits

• The Pixel phone shown in the assembly illustrations is by Rizwan Syed on GrabCAD.