How to Attach a Phone Charm to Any Phone (iPhone 15/16/17, Samsung, No Hole Cases)
Practical instructions from the Shinora Studio team. Every phone chain we ship comes with the attachment strap included — so we've watched a lot of customers work through this and figured out where people get stuck.
You bought a phone charm. You unbox it. You look at your phone case. And you realize: there is no hole for a charm to attach to. Nowhere. This is the exact moment most people freeze — and the reason online sellers get "how do I even use this?" questions daily. This guide is the complete answer, covering every phone model and case type in a way that actually works. No jargon, no vague "just loop it through the case" advice. Real steps.
The core method (works on almost every case)
Modern smartphones don't have charm holes built in. The solution — used by every real phone chain maker in 2026 — is a thin nylon or plastic strap called a hole strap (also called a phone strap connector, a case connector, or simply "the little string"). The strap is about 2–3 cm long and forms a small loop.
Here's how it attaches:
- Remove your phone case from your phone. Set the phone somewhere safe.
- Take out your hole strap. One end has a small loop; the other end is a longer tail.
- Position the loop end of the strap at the corner of your phone where you want your charm to hang — usually the bottom-left or bottom-right corner near the charging port.
- Place the phone back into the case, with the strap loop sticking out through the side gap of the case. The tail of the strap sits under the phone, sandwiched between the phone and the case.
- Snap the case fully closed. The case clamps down on the strap tail, holding it firmly in place. The loop end is now sticking out — this is where you attach your charm.
- Clip your phone charm or chain to the strap loop using its clasp. Done.
The strap holds because the case clamps it in place — the compression is more than strong enough to hold the weight of a phone chain, even when the phone drops. We've stress-tested this on every case type we could get our hands on.
iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 series has no charm hole in the phone itself. Every attachment is via hole strap.
Best attachment corner: bottom-right, next to the microphone slot. This corner has enough clearance around the case for the strap to slide through easily. The bottom-left works too but sits closer to the USB-C port — some cables can catch on a charm hanging there.
Case compatibility notes: MagSafe cases work fine — the magnet ring is on the back and doesn't interfere with the strap. Silicone cases work but require slightly more force to seat the strap. Clear polycarbonate cases work best because you can see if the strap is aligned before snapping the case closed.
iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 series introduced the new Camera Control button on the right side. This affects charm placement.
Best attachment corner: bottom-left. The Camera Control button on the right side occupies real estate you don't want to interfere with — attaching a charm on the right corner means it dangles right next to the button and can catch when you press it. Bottom-left keeps the charm clear of all controls.
Case compatibility notes: The Camera Control button case cutouts differ between manufacturers. Any well-designed iPhone 16 case leaves enough gap on the bottom edges for a hole strap. Apple's official Silicone Case, FineWoven Case, and all major third-party cases (Peak Design, Otterbox, Casetify, Nomad) work.
iPhone 17 / iPhone 17 Pro / iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 series retained the Camera Control button and added minor internal changes but did not affect case compatibility.
Best attachment corner: bottom-left (same as iPhone 16, same reasoning). Case dimensions are very similar to the iPhone 16 series, so most iPhone 16 phone charm setups transfer directly.
Note: some new iPhone 17 cases include a built-in wrist strap point or charm loop. If your case has one, you can attach the charm directly to that point without needing a hole strap.
Older iPhones (iPhone SE, iPhone 12, 13, 14)
Every iPhone from the iPhone 6 onward works with the standard hole strap method. Attach to whichever bottom corner has the most clearance in your specific case — usually opposite the charging port. Sizes and case dimensions are smaller than the 15/16/17 series but the technique is identical.
Samsung Galaxy (S23, S24, S25, and Ultra models)
Samsung phones have supported charm attachment culturally for years — Korean and Japanese markets treat phone charms as normal accessories, and Samsung cases are usually designed with the hole strap method in mind.
Best attachment corner: any bottom corner. Samsung cases tend to have slightly wider gaps at the corners than iPhone cases, making strap insertion easier. The bottom-right corner near the USB-C port is the standard choice for the S24 and S25 series.
Case compatibility notes: Samsung's Silicone Grip Case and Standing Cover both work well. Third-party cases (Spigen, Ringke) usually have generous corner gaps. For the Galaxy Ultra series, use a slightly longer hole strap because the phones are physically larger and heavier — a longer strap distributes the load better.
Google Pixel (Pixel 8, 9)
Pixel phones use the same hole strap method. Case compatibility is uniformly good — Google's official cases have wide corner gaps that make attachment simple. Attach at either bottom corner based on personal preference.
What if my case is silicone or gel?
Silicone and gel cases are actually easier for phone charm attachment because the material stretches. Slip the hole strap in place, then work the case around the phone slowly — the silicone will conform to the strap without cracking. Once seated, the compression is even stronger than a hard case because the silicone grips the strap along its entire length.
The only silicone case scenario that causes trouble is ultra-thin (under 1 mm) silicone skins that don't have enough material to grip properly. If your case is that thin, either upgrade to a slightly thicker silicone case or switch to a hard case.
What if my case is clear plastic or polycarbonate?
Clear cases are the best-case scenario for phone charm setup — you can see the strap position through the material before you close the case. Line up the strap where you want it, snap the case shut, and you're done.
What if my case is aluminum or metal?
Metal cases are the hardest to work with. They usually have very precise fit tolerances and add the hole strap thickness on top of that. If your metal case doesn't want to close over the strap, you have two options: (1) switch to a slightly thinner hole strap made specifically for tight tolerances, or (2) switch to a case with a built-in charm attachment loop. Some metal cases include this feature.
What if my case is a wallet or folio style?
Wallet cases work with hole straps too, but the attachment mechanics are slightly different. Depending on the case, you either attach the strap at a corner as usual (visible when the folio is closed) or at a slot near the hinge (hidden when closed). Read your case's design carefully before threading the strap.
What if my case already has a lanyard hole?
Some third-party cases include a small dedicated lanyard hole — a small ring or slot molded into the case corner specifically for charm and lanyard attachment. If yours has one, use it directly. Skip the hole strap entirely and clip your charm to the built-in hole with its clasp.
Popular case brands with built-in lanyard holes: Casetify (many models), Torras (Ostand series), Rhinoshield (some models), and specialty Korean case brands including Delight.
What if I don't want to remove my case?
You have to remove the case at least once to install the hole strap. There's no way around it. But once the strap is installed, you can swap phone charms indefinitely by clipping them onto the strap loop — the case stays on. So the one-time inconvenience buys you unlimited charm-swapping later.
Common problems and fixes
The strap keeps sliding out of the case
The case isn't seating fully. Take everything off, reset the strap position, and press the case corners in individually before snapping the middle closed. If it still slides, your case may be too loose overall — try a snugger case.
The charm dangles right next to the charging port and I keep catching it on the cable
Attach at the opposite corner from your charging port. On iPhones this usually means the bottom-left; on some Samsung models the top corner works better.
The strap loop is too small to fit my charm's clasp
Most quality phone charms and chains come with a lobster clasp small enough to fit a standard hole strap. If yours won't fit, replace the strap with a larger-loop version rather than forcing the clasp.
The strap broke
Rare, but happens with cheap hole straps. Replace with a quality nylon strap. Every Shinora phone chain ships with a durable braided nylon strap rated to hold significantly more than a phone's weight.
The charm is too heavy and my phone tilts when I set it down
Genuinely too heavy charms exist — usually chunky metal ones over 30g. For daily use, keep phone charms under about 15g and keep phone chains under about 25g. Above that, the physics starts working against you.
Where to get a hole strap
Every Shinora phone chain and phone charm ships with a compatible hole strap included at no extra cost. If you already own a phone chain and need a replacement strap, Amazon sells generic packs (search "phone strap connector") for a few dollars. Look for nylon straps with a proper stitched loop, not plastic straps with a molded loop — the stitched nylon lasts much longer.
Where to go from here
Now that you can attach anything to anything, the next question is what to attach. Our phone chain collection covers the full range from wristlet to crossbody. If you want deeper background on materials and construction, our Phone Charms & Phone Chains Complete Guide explains what you're actually paying for and what to look for. And if you're specifically drawn to the aesthetic that dominates Y2K and coquette feeds, our crystal phone chains guide walks through the specific pieces that fit those looks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a special case for a phone charm?
No. Any well-fitting phone case works with the hole strap method. You don't need a special charm case unless you want the convenience of a built-in loop.
Will attaching a phone charm damage my case?
No. The hole strap sits flat between the phone and case — no cutting, drilling, or modification required. If you decide you don't want the charm, remove the case, take the strap out, and the case is back to normal.
Can a phone charm break my phone if it hangs down?
No. Modern phone chains are attached at the case corner, well away from any structural weak point of the phone. The strap is designed to hold the phone's weight if the phone drops and the chain catches — some people even use their chain as a drop safety mechanism.
How much weight can a phone charm hold?
A quality braided nylon hole strap is rated to hold 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lbs), which is many times the weight of a modern smartphone. For phone chains where you're actively holding the phone by the chain (like a crossbody carry), stick to hole straps from quality brands.
Are phone charms safe for kids?
The attachment method is completely safe. However, small charms with dangling parts can be choking hazards for very small children — supervise use and buy age-appropriate designs if buying for children.
Can I attach more than one charm to the same hole strap?
Yes. You can clip multiple charms to a single hole strap loop, or use a small O-ring to build a small charm cluster. This is how many aesthetic phone charm setups work — the multi-charm dangle look.
Will my phone charm show up if I take a photo?
Only if you frame it into the shot deliberately. The charm hangs off the corner of your phone, not near the camera, so normal photos are unaffected.
Written by the Shinora Studio team. If you want the full context on what phone chains are and how the trend became a category, our Complete Guide to Phone Charms and Phone Chains is the place to start. Ready to shop? Explore the phone chain collection.