DIY Magnetic iPhone Mount with Wireless Charging

I recently got a new iPhone 13 that has Magsafe wireless charging capabilities and wanted to get a new dash phone mount that had a built in charger. The mount I had was the Scosche Magicmount that I mounted above the airbag switch. The tape it came with kept coming off so I eventually super glued it on (I know it doesn't look pretty). Scosche makes a wireless mount that uses the same dash mount, and I considered buying it and unscrewing the existing magnet from the base and screwing in the wireless mount. But the wireless mount seemed too expensive at $60.

$11 Scosche MAGDMB MagicMount Magnetic Phone Mount for Car, Dashboard Cell Phone Holder with 360° Adjustable Magnet Head, Universal Phone Stand for Car Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, and All Devices

Scosche MAGDMB MagicMount $13:

$40 Scosche MPQ5DV-XTSP MagicMount Pro Charge5 15W Wireless Charging MagSafe Car Mount, Magnetic Phone Holder for Dashboard/Vent Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14/13/12 Pro/Pro Max/Plus, MagSafe Case & More

Scosche MPQ5DV-XTSP MagicMount Pro $60:

I did some research on making a DIY version for cheaper and found a video on YouTube of a guy who used 3M double sided tape to attach a wireless charger meant for your house to a car vent phone mount. So I followed his lead and purchased the TOZO W10 wireless charger for $20 and taped it to my existing Magic Mount. The charger doesn't have enough metal on the back to stay attached to the magnetic mount without the tape. Also this will only work if your phone case is also Magsafe / Qi charging compatible, or if you are one of the brave souls who don't have a phone case.

$20 TOZO 2025 Upgraded W10 Magnets Wireless Charger, USB C Charging Station Aviation Aluminum Computer Numerical Control Fast Charging Pad Compatible for iPhone 16/15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max/14, Black

TOZO W10 Magnetic Wireless Charger with USB-C:





I used a round file to make space for the cable and then I ran the cable behind the dash. I snaked it around everything so that it comes out through an existing hole under the ash tray and to the USB-C 12v port that I had replaced one of the 12v cigarette outlets with. The screen to the right of the mount is my wireless backup camera screen that I hard wired to the fuse box.



It's convenient to be able to put my phone onto the magnetic mount and have it start charging right away when the truck is on. One less step to take after leaving work at the end of the day, etc. It's also nice to have the cable tucked away and not have it in the way when adjusting the climate control or stereo knobs. Also I can easily unplug the cable if I want to. The Tozo charger holds the phone on better than the Scosche mount alone did, and it doesn't fall off when going over bumps, potholes, etc.

Hope this helps!

 

I actually did something similar by designing a holder for the apple MagSafe disc that fits into the airbag switch spot.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/2...agsafe-dash-mount?optionId=293201784&li=shops

 

Nice! I just saw that on Thingiverse yesterday!
I don't have a 3D printer, but am looking into getting one.

 

The one on thingiverse is 2 pieces so it’s easier to print. I put the one piece on Shapeways because they will do it easily with SLS.

 

Do these magnetic magsafe wireless chargers work through a protective phone case? As in hold the phone securely and charge it.

 

Is that your product in the link? I always like supporting TW members.

 

Only if the phone case is specifically made for Magsafe, because it has magnets in it that line up with the magnets on the back of the phone and on the charger. I have an Apple Magsafe leather case, but there are tons of different kinds from various brands.

Apple cases with Magsafe: https://www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all/magsafe?f=caseios&fh=12b2bf+45d1&page=1
Various ones on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/magsafe-phone-case/s?k=magsafe+phone+case

 

Yes I designed it. I use mine every day. There’s also a link to my Shapeways page in my signature

 

Sweet. I was on my phone yesterday and don't see sigs and I eventually saw your design company in that link. I'll be purchasing.

Few questions:

1. I just bought an Otterbox MagSafe case.

$34 OtterBox iPhone 13 Symmetry Series+ Case - Black, Ultra-Sleek, Snaps to MagSafe, Raised Edges Protect Camera & Screen

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LP89HZW?ie=UTF8

I know the answer is dependent upon Otterbox's design/manufacturing but if advertised, something like this should hold to the Magsafe chareger/mount? I've never used this technology before and now I have an iPhone 13.

2. I built this magnetic mount in my 04 DC. Works fine (although I now prefer the wireless charging). The only issue I have is that with the added weight (with phone mounted) the plastic blank switch (OEM) now squeaks against the plastic dash it fits into. Do you notice that with your mount?




3. What 12v charger do you recommend? There's a few cheap ones on Amazon but I was eyeing up the Otterbox one. Dual ports 20w and 30w.: https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/car-...0H4T_XLWOfMbJKeXtAhoCXgUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


Thanks for your answers.

 

The mount I designed is fixed, so it won’t sag. I used to have a ball mount and hated it because it would always pivot down accidentally.

I used this charger and I just wired in a 12v socket behind the dash into the existing socket circuit. I just didn’t want a wire visible on the front.

$17 AINOPE USB C Car Charger, Smallest 56W Car Charger Adapter Fast Charging, PD 3.0 Dual Car Charger USB C Compatible with iPhone 14/13 Pro/12/12 Pro/12 Mini, Galaxy S20/S10, iPad Pro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089R67JV4
I believe you need at least 15w