iPhone accessories

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on iPhone accessories:

Record terabytes of ProRes video onto tiny ShiftCam Planck SSD

By

ShiftCam Planck
This svelte combo is ready to record 2TB of ProRes video.
Photo: ShiftCam

ShiftCam calls the Planck “the world’s smallest portable SSD,” and it’s certainly very small. That and the unusual placement of its USB-C connector allow the drive to fit neatly on the bottom of an iPhone Pro and hold up to 2 TB of high-resolution ProRes video as it’s being recorded.

The accessory hits the market soon and is being shown off at CES 2025 this week.

mophie charger/battery combo packs everything needed to power iPhone or Mac [Review] ★★★★☆

By

mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra review★★★★☆
With the mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra in your bag, you’re always ready to charge your iPhone anywhere you go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra plugs directly into a wall, and built-in cables let it plug straight into your iPhone or Mac. But it’s no simple wall adapter — it’s also a 10,000mAh power bank.

I put the all-in-one device to the test. It’s a bit of a brick, but delivers when it counts.

New SanDisk SSD clings to iPhone to store terabytes of high-res video recordings

By

SanDisk Creator Phone SSD
Add terabytes of ProRes video storage to your iPhone with SanDisk Creator Phone SSD.
Photo: SanDisk

The SanDisk Creator Phone SSD sets itself apart from rival portable drives with MagSafe. This means the drive magnetically clings to an iPhone where it’s available to hold up to 2 TB of ProRes video as it’s recorded.

SanDisk unveiled the SSD at CES 2025, along with other new storage options.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip makes iPhone into a better camera

By

Belkin Stage PowerGrip
Make your iPhone easier to hold while taking pictures with Belkin Stage PowerGrip.
Photo: Belkin

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip adds the grip DSLR camera users are familiar with to an iPhone. Built into the grip is a battery which sends power to the handset via the MagSafe magnetic charging mat integrated into the device.

And his is just one of multiple new accessories Belkin unveiled in time for CES 2025.

Backbone One sale drops iPhone game controller cost by 50% [UPDATE: Sale ended]

By

Backbone One USB-C game controller review
Backbone One USB-C game controller makes high-end gaming a pleasure on iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Backbone One (USB-C), which ranks among the absolute best clip-on game controllers for iPhone, is on sale at half the usual cost. That’s right, a Best Buy exclusive deal knocks $50 off.

This is an amazing one-day offer, and the controller makes a great gift for the gamer in your life, so don’t wait.

iPhone case with built-in screen offers easy personalization [Review] ★★★★

By

Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone Case review★★★★
Put any picture you want on the Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone Case.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone Case makes cases with single pictures obsolete. It includes a screen you can update with new images whenever you want, and so offers almost endless personalization.

It won’t drain your phone’s battery, but the case does protect your device when you’re on the go.

I tested the case, and I really like it, despite some screen limitations.

Feature-packed mobile game controller cools your iPhone while you play

By

GameSir X3 Pro Mobile Gaming Controller
The GameSir X3 Pro includes features many mobile controllers leave out.
Photo: GameSir

The newly launched GameSir X3 Pro Mobile Gaming Controller packs Hall Effect sticks, dual rumble motors, micro switch triggers and detachable grips. And its USB-C connector and telescoping design means it fits a range of iPhone and Android models.

A stand-out feature is a cooling plate designed to prevent the handset from overheating while playing very demanding games.

5 iPhone tips for international travelers

By

A person using an iPhone.
Use these iPhone travel tips every time you hit the road or the skies.
Photo: Unsplash

When traveling internationally with your iPhone, staying connected and avoiding unexpected surprises can be a bit of a balancing act. Whether it’s navigating unfamiliar streets, keeping in touch with family, or ensuring you don’t get hit with outrageous roaming fees, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s how you can improve your iPhone use while traveling internationally.

Price drop: $35 wireless charger will fast-charge your iPhone on the go

By

This $40 wireless charger will fast-charge your phone on the go.
Apple fans love this speedy wireless iPhone charger, now on sale for less than $40.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Forget having to find a wall outlet to charge your phone, or even using a cable to connect an external battery pack. To charge your phone in real luxury is to enjoy fast charging, totally wire-free. And one of the best options we’ve found to enjoy just that is the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone.

Usually $119.95, you can grab it right now for only $34.97. But this price drop won’t last forever.

Cool your iPhone while it charges with this power puck [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger with iPhone★★★★☆
Protect your iPhone from excess heat with Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger cools your iPhone or Android while it juices up, preventing the heat that often results from charging from damaging the battery.

I put the accessory through its paces to see how quickly it charges an iPhone 16, and how well it cools the handset.

Tiny game controller offers outsize iPhone retro gaming fun [Review] ★★★☆☆

By

CRKD Atom iPhone game controller review★★★☆☆
CRKD Atom is a tiny but usable game controller… for the right type of game.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The CRKD Atom looks small enough to be a game controller for a doll, but it’s designed to clip on your keychain for gameplay wherever you go. It’s a way to have some fun with your iPhone when you find yourself with some unexpected time to kill.

I played with it, and while the complete lack of sticks greatly limits the controller, it’s possible to have fun with retro games.

mophie Juice Pack battery case keeps iPhone 16 going and going

By

mophie Juice Pack battery case keeps iPhone 16 going and going
iPhone 16 users can now get a combination case and power bank from mophie.
Photo: mophie

The new mophie Juice Pack specifically for the iPhone 16 series merges a power bank into a form-fitting protective case. Put Apple’s latest handsets in the case to greatly extend the battery life and add 6 feet of drop protection.

External magnets allow the case to attach to other MagSafe/Qi2 accessories, like car mounts.

Extra small 4-in-1 iPhone/Mac charging cable fits on a keychain [Review] ★★★★☆

By

inCharge XS review: 4-in-1 iPhone/Mac charging cable★★★★☆
Believe it or not, this gizmo expands to be a multi-connector iPhone/Mac charging cable.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Rolling Square’s inCharge XS is a finger-size iPhone or Mac charging cable that squeezes in enough connectors and built-in adapters to ensure you can juice up virtually any Apple device.

Despite its diminutive size, the cable handles up to 240W of power. And it provides fairly quick data transfers, too.

I attached the inCharge XS to my keychain so I could put it to the test.

Tiny inCharge XS 4-in-1 iPhone/Mac charging cable fits on a keychain

By

Rolling Square inCharge XS with iPhone
When you need to connect on the go, inCharge XS is there.
Photo: Rolling Square

The name for inCharge XS must stand for “extra small.” It packs multiple USB formats plus a Lightning connector into a cable tiny enough to fit on a keychain. But it can handle up to 240W of power.

The accessory from Rolling Square enables any iPhone or Mac to plug into a battery or wall charger wherever necessary. It can even handle data transfers.

Easily share your wireless network with Wifi Porter [Review]

By

Ten One Design Wifi Porter review
A tap gets iPhones and Androids connected to your Wi-Fi network thanks to Wifi Porter.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Wifi Porter takes the hassle out of letting friends or guests access your wireless network. Just tap this accessory from Ten One Design with your iPhone or Android device and the login details will be transferred. 

The hardware is attractive, and it’s certainly a unique idea. We went hands on to see how it works in real life.

AirPods 4 deliver better sound and ‘ANC Lite’ [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Apple AirPods 4★★★★☆
Apple AirPods 4 bring in an array of features previously considered premium.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

AirPods 4 bring professional-grade features to Apple’s non-Pro earbuds. Fairly good active noise cancellation sits at the top of the list of additions, which is a surprise because the earbuds lack foam ear tips.

Apple did tweak the design to make them more comfortable and secure. And the company improved the audio quality, too. Especially the bass. How does all this play out in real-world testing? Read our hands-on AirPods 4 review to find out.

Best MagSafe cables and chargers for iPhone 16

By

These are the best MagSafe cables and chargers for iPhone 16.
MagSafe is the best way to charge your new iPhone.
Photo: Killian Bell/EdHardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no better way to charge your new iPhone 16 than with MagSafe. Pick the right charger and it’s as fast as a cable. And even when it’s a bit slower, it’s certainly the simplest and most convenient option. And, let’s face it, plugging in a cable is nowhere near as satisfying as that snap you hear when slapping a MagSafe accessory onto the back of your iPhone.

If you’ll be experiencing MagSafe for the first time with iPhone 16, it’s time to stock up on cables, charging stations and battery packs. Here are the best available right now.

Apple makes its MagSafe charger as fast as a cable

By

Apple MagSafe 25W charging puck with iPhone 16
A new MagSafe charging puck from Apple is much faster than its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

Apple It's Glowtime Event:Apple improved MagSafe wireless charging in the new iPhone 16 models by increasing the maximum charging capacity. It’s a considerable jump: the handsets can charge up to 66% faster.

Wireless charging is now as fast as plugging in a cable…with the right equipment.

Belkin power banks keep iPhone and MacBook going and going

By

BoostCharge Power Bank 10K w/ Integrated Cable
You don't need to carry a cable with this new iPhone power bank from Belkin.
Photo: Belkin

Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K w/ Integrated Cable lets users charge their iPhone or other device without needing to worry about a separate USB-C cable. And it can juice up two devices at once.

Those who need more power can turn to Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro 3-Port Laptop Power Bank 20K.

mophie powerstation plus ultra packs everything needed to power iPhone or Mac

By

mophie powerstation plus line: 2024
Three models of increasing capabilities make up the new mophie powerstation plus line.
Photo: Zagg/mophie

The new mophie powerstation plus ultra plugs directly into a wall, and built-in cables let it plug straight into your iPhone or Mac. But it’s no simple wall adapter — it’s also a 10,000mAh power bank.

mophie also introduced on Tuesday two more models in the 2024 powerstation plus line with a variety of features.

This 100W magnetic cable includes a built-in power meter [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Chargeasap Connect Pro review★★★★☆
Chargeasap Connect Pro can juice up an iPad but also your old micro-USB devices.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Chargeasap Connect Pro is a charging and data cable with a built-in power meter and swappable magnetic connectors. It’s ready to power up a broad variety of devices at up to 100W, and iPhone at up to 27W.

The high-quality cable is 4.75 feet long, and it comes with three magnetic connectors. And with the meter, you always know how much current is flowing.

I tested it with my Apple devices, and a bunch of others, too. Here’s how it performed.

Wish your iPhone came with a stylus? Moft to the rescue (sort of).

By

Moft Snap Flow iPhone stand with pen and paper
Your iPhone could have an analog Notes app in addition to the digital one.
Photo: Moft

Moft is way beyond its fundraising goal for its new Moft Snap Flow iPhone stand, which snaps to the handset magnetically and unfolds to give you a little organizer with pen and paper. Having raised more than 13 times the funding goal of $10,000 on Kickstarter, the accessories company will most likely put the new Snap Flow into production. With nearly 2,400 people financially backing it so far, there seems to be an appetite for the old-school accessory.

But in the meantime, you can pledge for one on Kickstarter at 20% off through July 31. So who needs a Samsung-style smartphone stylus (or Apple’s Notes app), anyway?

Handheld DockKit-enabled gimbal keeps iPhone camera pointed at you

By

Insta360 Flow Pro: Hand held DockKit-enabled gimbal keeps iPhone pointed at you
Insta360 Flow Pro helps make more exciting videos.
Photo: Insta360

Hold the Insta360 Flow Pro and walk around and the stabilizer always keeps your iPhone camera pointed at you or your subject thanks to Apple’s DockKit and Deep Track 3.0. It’s designed for content creators on the move.

The gimbal includes a selfie stick, tripod, power bank and tracking ring light.