There I was minding my own business, meandering through Covent Garden on a cold December day. Christmas was approaching and the shopping lanes twinkled with lights.
I was on my way home, using Google Maps to navigate to the Tube. Yes, I was looking down and no, I was not aware of my surroundings. Then suddenly, a cyclist, dressed head to toe in black lycra - balaclava included - came tearing down the street and attempted to snatch my iPhone out of my hand. Something that’s become so common in London.
Instinct overtook logic. I grabbed back. A tug of war ensued, but thanks to one phone accessory, I was victorious and my phone stayed where it belonged: in my possession.
A surprisingly controversial accessory, the phone case strap proved its weight in gold at that very moment.
After months of fielding insults about the extensive rope attached to my handheld, I finally had a trump card for its wonderful, anti-theft benefits. Consider me its number one fan/ publicist/ head of its marketing team.
What are the benefits of a phone case with a strap?
I could wax lyrical about the strap-adorned phone case for as long as Oppenheimer’s run time but there are just a few key things to note about why having one attached to your device will change the game.
First: there is a real lack of pockets on women’s clothing. The longer rope adornments on this list double up as an over-shoulder strap or at least something you can wear around your wrist. This means you need only your phone when you’re travelling light: no bag necessary. I’ve found it particularly helpful for hanging on the bathroom door - helpful if you’re in a scuzzy bar, restaurant or festival loo.
Secondly and perhaps most importantly for the forgetful, the extra accoutrement makes the phone easily identifiable. No more heart-sinking moments thinking you’ve lost your phone. A glimpse of the strap means it’s somewhere in your capaciously large bag, stuffed in your pocket or down the back of the sofa.
Last but not least, there is extra real estate to grab onto, which did not just help in my particular phone-jacking situation but those times the smooth glass-covered product slips from your hand. Instead of landing in a shattered mess on concrete pavements, it hangs just above the floor, delaying the eventuality of a screen replacement for one more drop.
Shop the best phone cases complete with a strap below
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Not-Another-Bill Silicone iPhone 14 phone case
Phone models available: iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14
Not-Another-Bill gives you the power to customise your phone case with the colour exterior and word of your choosing - and they take the latter to the next level with an array of fonts, shades and you can even determine the position.
This silicone-made iteration is available just for iPhones but across each year’s models from Mini to Max. The material gives the device a rubber-like bumper that will shield it from knocks and bumps, while remaining durable.
Buy now £25.00, Not-Another-Bill
Casetify Rope Cross-body Strap
Phone models available: Apple, Samsung and Google across every model
One of the most popular phone case brands on the market, the different designs, patterns, prints and branding available at Casetify is overwhelming. There really are too many to choose from. But once you have finally selected the one to suit, you can also add this rope attachment to basket that is affixed through a strap card (£9) that sits in the case. There are an array of colours as well as chains and more utilitarian designs.
Buy now £38.00, Casetify
UEEBAI Crossbody Lanyard Phone case for iPhone
Phone models available: iPhone 12-14
This brand on Amazon is giving you the chance to go all matchy-matchy with your phone’s accessories. There are 11 different colourways where the silicone cover comes alongside a cord in the same hue. From matcha green to the lavender pictured, there’s sure to be a shade to suit.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Crossbody Mobile Phone Chain
Phone models available: Any
It’s likely always in your hand anyway, so your phone may as well step it up in the style stakes. This colourful chunky chain is a jewellery statement in its own right. The purchase will get you the strap with its acrylic construction alongside a tab which means it can attach to any case.
Buy now £28.00, Etsy
Leather Phone Case with Card slot and long strap
Phone models available: iPhone 7-14
With its slick leather construction, this case will make a sophisticated addition to your device. It is available in an array of primary colours and can be personalised with the initials of your choosing in a gilded font. You’ll also be able to stash the likes of cards and cash in the button-fastened pouch at the back.
Buy now £20.75, Etsy
Anya Hindmarch Nastro Phone Pouch On Strap
Phone models available: the majority of phones (dimensions are H18.5cm W10cm D3.5cm)
We have to admit, we are disappointed that this phone case from Anya Hindmarch doesn’t come embellished with the brand’s signature playful eyes - but the striped strap still makes it a winner. The sophisticated leather construction has slots for your phone, cards and sunglasses - so it’s ideal if you’re constantly misplacing any of the above. The sections are labelled with chic gold lettering and the hardware matches in a gold tone too.
Buy now £395.00, Anya Hindmarch
Bottega Veneta iPhone 13 Pro phone case on strap
Phone models available: iPhone 13 Pro
If you’re lucky enough to have this specific model of iPhone, you can dress up your device in the signature Bottega Veneta Intrecciato weave. The motif is one you’ll find across the Italian fashion house’s bags and accessories but here it is made from silicone rather than leather to give your phone bumper security.
Buy now £200.00, MyTheresa
Aspinal of London London logo-print grained-leather phone case
Phone models available: iPhone and Android - excluding Max models
This case is an extended pocket where you can slip in your phone while also storing cards, cash and flat necessities. It has a hard-wearing leather construction with the brand’s name emblazoned on both sides.
Buy now £85.00, Selfridges
PuYu Zhe Case Compatible
Phone models available: iPhone 6 to 14
The utilitarian trend is enduring in the fashion space and this phone case will fit seamlessly with that aesthetic with its carabiner-like fastenings and all-black minimalistic design. That being said, if you want to give your phone a pop of colour, it’s available in bold red, pink and mint green as well as more muted hues of dark green and blue too.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Not-Another-Bill Clear iPhone Cases
Phone models available: iPhones X-14
If you’ve splashed out on one of the purple, green, red or yellow iterations of iPhone, you may prefer a clear case to show this off. That’s where this accessory comes in. It lets your phone do the talking and feels less bulky, all while still offering the protection that you need if you’re prone to dropping.
The case can be personalised with the wording of your choosing and in an array of colours and fonts and then you just need to purchase the rope (£6) to go alongside it in which there are nine different colour and pattern varieties.
Buy now £20.00, Not-Another-Bill
Samsung Silicone Cover with Strap for Galaxy Z Flip4, Black
Phone models available: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Samsung brought the throwback flip phone to the 2020s with the unveiling of the Galaxy Z Flip models but, while the folding nature is sure to garner squeals of excitement from a fascinated audience, they’re challenging to cover in a case for the same reason. Samsung has solved this woe with this specialised matte silicone model and there’s a strap included too in an eye-catching green hue.
Buy now £34.99, John Lewis
Bundle x 2 iPhone Cases & Phone Accessory
Phone models available: iPhone X-14
Change your case to suit your mood with this bundle of two from Skinnydip. In the package, there’s also an adorable heart charm wrist strap but it’s more decorative than it is functional.
Buy now £30.00, Skinnydip
Loewe Elephant iPhone X/XS leather phone case
Phone models available: iPhone X/XS
While it’s only available for an old model of iPhone, we couldn’t resist the adorable charm of the Loewe Elephant case. Will it make your phone more bulky? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. Do we care? No. We have to have it.
Buy now £105.00, Matches
Crossbody Phone Case Cover Patch With A Detachable Adjustable Strap
Phone models available: All
Taking inspiration from hiking cords, you can affix the rope design of your choosing to your existing case or one you purchase separately with this shop on Etsy. It comes with a tab that you slip into the base of the case and the high-quality cord comes in 11 different patterns.
Buy now £9.95, Etsy
AHABIPERS Phone Lanyard
Phone models available: All
This is another very affordable place to purchase the cord for your rope with a clear case included. There’s an array of patterns to choose from but to ensure its longevity, we recommend choosing one of the darker shades to disguise the inevitable wear and tear.
Buy now £8.97, Amazon
