To Strap or Not to Strap: That is the iPhone Question

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I've been taking photos all my life, starting with 35mm film cameras and evolving through DSLRs and mirrorless camera systems that can cost several thousand dollars. Throughout all these years and across every camera system, one practice has remained constant: I always use a strap to secure my cameras.

A strap will catch my camera if it slips from my hands, preventing drops that could break the camera or shatter lenses, and give me a sense of security and the freedom to move confidently.

This same philosophy should apply to your iPhone. It's a device worth over $1,000 that deserves the same care as any professional camera. After all, it's the camera you have with you all the time.

The Camera Equipment Parallel

With my mirrorless camera, the strap is simply part of the setup. It goes around my neck or across my body before I even leave the house. I don't think about it anymore—it's as automatic as checking that I have a memory card installed.

The strap becomes invaluable the moment I'm actually shooting. It frees my hands when I need to grab a different lens from my bag, adjust a tripod, or check my phone for location coordinates. When I'm hiking to a scenic overlook, I can use both hands to steady myself on rocks or hold branches aside on the trail. The camera hangs securely while I navigate the terrain, then it's instantly ready when I see the shot.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max costs about the same as a professional camera body. In the US, the base model starts at $1,199 USD. That's the same price point as entry-level mirrorless cameras from Sony, Canon, or Fujifilm—cameras that photographers instinctively protect with straps.

The iPhone Air starts at $999 USD. That's serious camera equipment money—the price of a professional lens or a capable mirrorless body.

Yet most people carry these devices with nothing but their grip. It's just their fingers—and maybe a case—between a $1,000+ device and the pavement below. I use straps with my cameras because grip alone fails when you least expect it.

Different Photography, Same Philosophy

The type of photography you're doing matters when it comes to how you carry your camera.

For street photography, you need quick access. Your camera has to be ready at a moment's notice—a crossbody or neck strap keeps it right there, no fumbling in bags or pockets. You see the shot, you raise the camera, you take the photo.

Landscape photography often means hiking to locations. You're climbing trails, crossing streams, using your hands for balance on rocky terrain. A strap keeps your camera secure while leaving your hands free for trekking poles or grabbing onto rocks.

Travel photography combines both challenges. You're managing luggage, navigating airports or train stations, checking maps—all while trying to keep your expensive camera safe and accessible for that perfect moment.

The same thinking applies to iPhone photography. Whether you're capturing street scenes, hiking to a waterfall, or documenting your family vacation, the practical needs are identical.

A strap keeps your iPhone secure and ready.

Real-World Scenarios

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is heavy. It has real weight to it—it feels substantial and premium, like professional equipment should. But that also means when it slips, it's not catching on anything on the way down.

Whether you're on a cruise ship leaning over the railing to photograph the sunset, or simply out for a walk, a crossbody or neck strap keeps the iPhone 17 Pro Max secure and ready to take photos. You don't need to dig into your pants or jacket pockets to pull it out—which not only means you might miss the moment, but it's also a recipe for disaster as the phone could slip from your hands during that awkward pocket extraction.

The iPhone Air presents a different challenge. It's incredibly thin and light, which is wonderful for everyday carrying. But that lightness also means you don't get the same physical feedback reminding you you're holding something valuable. I actually prefer using a wrist strap with it.

Here's something else to consider: losing your iPhone on vacation isn't just about losing a device worth over $1,000. It's about losing all the photos you've taken on that trip if they haven't synced to iCloud yet.

Those memories—the ones you can't recreate—could disappear with your phone into the ocean or off a cliff. A strap is a simple way to protect both the device and everything precious stored on it.

Finding the Right Strap and Case

There are two main types of straps available. Some have attachments that let you easily detach the strap from the case—convenient when you want to switch between using a strap and going without one. Others are designed to stay attached more permanently, which works well if you plan to keep the strap on all the time.

Apple started adding small attachment points in the bottom corners of their cases with the 2025 iPhone 17 line. These pass-through holes are designed specifically for straps, and Apple offers their own crossbody and wrist straps that work with these cases.

However, not every Apple case has these pass-through holes. For example, the Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max doesn't have them, while the Clear Case for the iPhone Air does. If you're planning to use a strap, check that your Apple case includes the bottom corner pass-through holes before purchasing.

Beyond Apple's options, there are many other crossbody straps, neck straps, and wrist straps available from various brands. The key is finding a case with the proper attachment points and a strap that matches how you want to carry your iPhone.

Although, the Apple iPhone Air Bumper has the bottom corner pass-through holes, I do not recommend it, as it offers no protection to the back camera bump.

An Important Note About Wrist Straps

If you're planning to use a wrist strap, make sure your case has pass-through holes on both bottom corners. This matters more than you might think.

By having pass-through holes on both corners, you can add a crossbody or neck strap, but also a wrist strap. If the case would have only one corner to connect the strap, you would be limited to a wrist strap.

For most people, the wrist strap should be installed on the bottom left corner when looking at the iPhone screen. That's because Camera Control—Apple's dedicated camera button—is located on the bottom right side of the iPhone. Installing the wrist strap on the left keeps it out of the way when you're taking photos.

It's a small detail that makes a practical difference.

A Practical Approach

I protect my cameras with straps because they're valuable tools. The iPhone costs about the same and does even more—it's my camera, communication device, and connection to everything important.

Using a strap is simply caring for the devices you rely on every day. Whether it's the substantial iPhone 17 Pro Max or the incredibly thin iPhone Air, a strap adds a layer of security.

It's worked for my photography gear all these years. The same thinking applies to my iPhone—the camera that's always with me.

Aldo

Image credit: Apple’s New Accessory Lets You Wear Your iPhone Like a Purse by James Pero, published on September 9, 2025, via Gizmodo. Read the article