GR86 Phone holder solutions

Hsb's design is great, just remember when mirrored it's lefty tighty, righty loosy 🤣
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So... having struggled with the ergonomics of this car's controls since I got it, I've finally settled on what works for me.

I hated android auto for a few reasons:
1. It took forever to connect even when I had a mobile data signal, and just wouldn't connect if I didn't. (maybe my phone's issue, not the headunit???)
2. I find the headunit too low for SatNav which means you have to look down and take your eye of the road.
3. Switching between media / satnav was a couple of touch screen presses rather than a physical toggle button.

So now I mount my phone up high and use it as a satnav at eye level, close to my left hand for any inputs. I only connect to Bluetooth audio for podcasts etc... through the car's headunit. My phone mount is also a wireless charger which is plugged into the 12V the glove compartment, so no cable to plug into the phone. (I just need a few cable clips).

It sounds stupid, but this simple change has made me enjoy driving the car so much more because I'm no longer constantly annoyed by the AA/Media interface.
I have also unplugged the sound generator which is much better imho.

Hope this helps some others who may have the same frustrations. You don't have to use AA / CarPlay.

It doesn't solve the shitty indicator / washer / cruise control switches though or the lack of mute button on the steering wheel. (n)

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In several older cars I have used Brodit mounting brackets to great effect. The only issue I have is that you have to route a connecting cable back to the USB port, so it means sticking cable brackets along the route. That said, if they are properly positioned, routed and hidden where possible, the Brodit options are very robust. Positioned over to the left above the air vent (UK models) means that I could possibly hide the cable down the side of the glovebox and centre console ...
 
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Cholmondeley-Biscuitt said:
In several older cars I have used Brodit mounting brackets to great effect. The only issue I have is that you have to route a connecting cable back to the USB port, so it means sticking cable brackets along the route. That said, if they are properly positioned, routed and hidden where possible, the Brodit options are very robust. Positioned over to the left above the air vent (UK models) means that I could possibly hide the cable down the side of the glovebox and centre console ...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I intend running the cable down the drivers side and back of the centre console and into the power socket behind the glove box.
 
OldManMarkoos said:
So... having struggled with the ergonomics of this car's controls since I got it, I've finally settled on what works for me.

I hated android auto for a few reasons:
1. It took forever to connect even when I had a mobile data signal, and just wouldn't connect if I didn't. (maybe my phone's issue, not the headunit???)
2. I find the headunit too low for SatNav which means you have to look down and take your eye of the road.
3. Switching between media / satnav was a couple of touch screen presses rather than a physical toggle button.

So now I mount my phone up high and use it as a satnav at eye level, close to my left hand for any inputs. I only connect to Bluetooth audio for podcasts etc... through the car's headunit. My phone mount is also a wireless charger which is plugged into the 12V the glove compartment, so no cable to plug into the phone. (I just need a few cable clips).

It sounds stupid, but this simple change has made me enjoy driving the car so much more because I'm no longer constantly annoyed by the AA/Media interface.
I have also unplugged the sound generator which is much better imho.

Hope this helps some others who may have the same frustrations. You don't have to use AA / CarPlay.

It doesn't solve the shitty indicator / washer / cruise control switches though or the lack of mute button on the steering wheel. (n)

View attachment 18061
Click to expand...
Looks good I may move my brodit to this side too.
 
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Any other solutions? Been thinking of finally changing my phone as the USB port on my OnePlus isn't the best and I'm having to wrap the phone in a microfibre and jam it in tight so it doesn't come out but know that work forever. Been thinking Pixel 10 but with a Quadlock case, a mag charging head and a Wireless Android Auto adapter (which Quadlock also do) which would mean I wouldn't have to use the charging port again but don't want to stick anything to glass or vents. There was that adapter in the US but can't see a RHD one.

Or just get a magsafe charge head as the Pixel 10 is compatible with it

Found this on reddit. That in RHD would be ideal
1769122546283.webp
 
KobayashiMaru86 said:
Any other solutions? Been thinking of finally changing my phone as the USB port on my OnePlus isn't the best and I'm having to wrap the phone in a microfibre and jam it in tight so it doesn't come out but know that work forever. Been thinking Pixel 10 but with a Quadlock case, a mag charging head and a Wireless Android Auto adapter (which Quadlock also do) which would mean I wouldn't have to use the charging port again but don't want to stick anything to glass or vents. There was that adapter in the US but can't see a RHD one.

Or just get a magsafe charge head as the Pixel 10 is compatible with it

Found this on reddit. That in RHD would be ideal
Click to expand...
Before you do anything, have you tried giving the port on your phone a good clean?
I've always found that after a few months, my phone will stop charging or connecting sometimes, and the port would become really unreliable, and it always turns out to be that it's just getting filled with compacted pocket lint, so the connector cant click into place properly. It might look fairly clean, but you'd be surprised how much crap comes out of it after a good gouge with the tip of a needle, and then it works fine again.

Other than that...be wary of Pixel 10 phones. I'm on Pixel 7 and was thinking of upgrading to the 10, but I read that there's a widespread issue with it not working at all with Android Auto. Not sure if it's been fixed yet, but something to look into.
 
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Conscript said:
Before you do anything, have you tried giving the port on your phone a good clean?
I've always found that after a few months, my phone will stop charging or connecting sometimes, and the port would become really unreliable, and it always turns out to be that it's just getting filled with compacted pocket lint, so the connector cant click into place properly. It might look fairly clean, but you'd be surprised how much crap comes out of it after a good gouge with the tip of a needle, and then it works fine again.

Other than that...be wary of Pixel 10 phones. I'm on Pixel 7 and was thinking of upgrading to the 10, but I read that there's a widespread issue with it not working at all with Android Auto. Not sure if it's been fixed yet, but something to look into.
Click to expand...
Port is spotless. Got tools to clear it and even bought Stikki, which is like a stickier blutack to stick in and remove any lint but it's clean. The Pixel 9 would do if I could find one with 1TB of storage. Android versions and security updates do have a habit of breaking apps, even their own. The Samsung's for example have had an issue which stops OneDrive loading and a few other apps. That's been the bane of my last few weeks in work.
 
I got this etsy special, it doesn't come with the magsafe just the holder, it grips behind the lip of the stereo but I've not been brave enough to seat it fully.
Works well otherwise as I find the bluetooth carplay drains the phone battery.

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Here is my solution. Universal ball mount on sticky pad, then a magsafe charger. Does block the airvent so in winter I close it off to stop heating the phone. In summer, the cool AC air works well to keep it cool. I use a Carlinkit for wireless, so don't need to plug in the phone. Gives just enough clearance so the fingers do not interfere with the wiper stalk when the phone is mounted.

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WhatsApp Image 2026-02-14 at 22.23.47.webp


WhatsApp Image 2026-02-14 at 22.23.47c.webp
 
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Finally got around to taking a picture of my mount. It’s an ESR for MagSafe car mount with an AliExpress right angle braided cable. A 1m cable is sufficient to get to the 12V socket behind the glovebox.


a.aliexpress.com

0.25m/0.5m/1m/2m 4A Quick Charger Elbow Braid 90 Degrees USB C to Type C Cord PD Cable For iPhone Samsung Huawei Xiaomi Macbook - AliExpress 202192403

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
a.aliexpress.com a.aliexpress.com

Very happy with charging speed, mount stability and magnet strength, and cable routing. I have it pair with a Carlinkit Mini Ultra 5, which works seamlessly as long as you only want to regularly pair 1 phone.

a.aliexpress.com

Mini Ultra CarlinKit 5.0 Wired To Wireless Adapter Wireless Android Auto Wireless CarPlay USB Dongle For iPhone Android Phone - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
a.aliexpress.com a.aliexpress.com
 

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