mars.roamer
Member
- First Name
- Ivan
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2024
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 19
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- 9
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Vehicles
- Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3
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- #1
I did extensive research on all the available phone mounting solutions for my 2025 Rivian R1S even before delivery, and I believe I’ve found the perfect setup. If you’re searching for a clean, rock-solid solution that supports MagSafe wireless charging and doesn’t obstruct your view, keep reading!
WHY YOU STILL NEED A PHONE MOUNT
I know many of you might be wondering why you’d even need a phone mount when the Rivian has two large displays, along with Bluetooth, Apple Music, Spotify, and even Alexa. Tesla, for example, also offers a voice assistant feature that allows you to respond to texts or make calls. However, I own both a Rivian and a Tesla, and I still installed phone mounts in both. Why? In my case, I like using apps that aren’t built into the infotainment system, such as Waze. I also sometimes take Zoom meetings or FaceTime with family while driving, and it’s nice to have the phone mounted at an angle where people can see me properly—not just my double chin and nostrils, if you know what I mean.
Plus, the built-in wireless chargers in many cars tend to be subpar (if not useless). That’s been my experience with my Model S, Model X, and even the Cybertruck. They heat up your phone quickly, collect dust, and are a pain to clean. What about Rivian? Many owners have pointed out that the wireless charging pads in Gen 1 Rivian cars are terrible and it's true. They don’t have magnets, and it’s hard to find the charging zone. While Gen 2 fixes some of these issues, it still lacks magnetic support, and the location makes it impossible to see your phone’s lock screen while driving, as it’s located near the center console storage.
There are many popular aftermarket solutions that address this, adding magnetic functionality to the charging pad so your phone doesn’t slide around. For instance, the TWRAPS phone charger is a popular option that works with both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles.
MY SOLUTION
Installation Time: 15 mins
Tools & Products:
- NextGen Phone Mount HD (Driver Side) $13.95
- 20ft USB-C to USB-C Cable (60W) $17.99
- Auto Trim Removal Tool Kit / Pry Tool Kit - 5PC $8.49
- ESR MagSafe Car Mount Charger with CryoBoost $27.99
When it comes to phone mounts, my requirements are pretty straightforward. First and foremost, it needs to be stable and should not obstruct my view for safety reasons. Navigation apps or other apps can drain a lot of power, so wireless charging is a must. I also want to avoid having my steering wheel block any part of the phone. Most importantly, I can’t stand hanging cables. I’ve spent a lot of time ensuring my home office has only one visible cable powering my standing desk, with the rest neatly hidden. I want that same clean, cable-free look in my cars.
I started by watching YouTube videos and searching on Amazon, Google, and the Rivian owners’ forums. I even bought a few generic phone mounts to test out. Unfortunately, none of them met the requirements I mentioned earlier. They either didn’t fit Rivian’s unique air vent design, used adhesives that could eventually damage the interior trim, or were positioned poorly, often blocked by the steering wheel. Then I discovered the Open Source EV Parts site and found my perfect solution—the NextGen Phone Mount HD. At just $13.95, it’s incredibly affordable, especially compared to some 3D-printed mounts on Amazon that go for $69.
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of 3D-printed products. While I love the concept, the look and finish often don’t feel premium. They're more like prototypes to me. The NextGen Phone Mount HD, however, is too good to say no to. It offers two options—Driver Side or Passenger Side—and I went with the Driver Side mount to keep my phone to the left of the steering wheel. The mount installs at the very top of the driver (or passenger) side outboard vents. The best part? It’s positioned outside the shadow of the steering wheel. The mount comes with a 17mm ball, which allows easy swaps, making it compatible with almost any phone holder on the market.
Installation is simple and takes about five minutes. Once assembled and tightened, it’s rock solid. They’ve even uploaded an installation video on YouTube for guidance. For the phone holder, I went with the ESR model featuring an LED ring light and CryoBoost (a built-in phone cooling fan). It mounts seamlessly onto the 17mm ball, and I think it looks sleek (though the logo could be less prominent, but it doesn’t really bother me). Once powered, the cooling fan kicks in. It’s noticeable but quieter than the AC, so it’s not disruptive.
With the mount and holder in place, the final step is powering it. You’ll need a power cable, and Rivian offers several power sources. You can connect the phone charger to the USB-C ports in the center console, the second-row display ports, the power outlet, or the seatback ports. If, like me, you want a clean, cable-free look, you’ll need a long cable—at least 15 feet. I opted for a 20-foot braided cable for extra durability.
Cable routing and management can likely be done without tools, but I recommend using a pry tool to save your fingers. I rotated the charger so the USB-C port was at the top, then connected the cable at both ends (charger and power source in the center console storage). It’s best to connect first, ensuring the cable works before you start managing the wiring.
After that, you can start routing the cable. First, tuck it between the rubber seal strip and the headliner, then run it down to the floor and through the door sill entry plates. This is where a pry tool will really come in handy and make the process much easier.
Don’t worry too much about damaging the trims—they’re more durable than you think, and there’s usually plenty of room to tuck the cable in. Once you’ve run the cable through the door sill plates, you can continue tucking it along the other side, underneath the plate to the second row. When you reach the floor mat, simply hide the cable beneath it, and bring it out near the center console, running it up the right side of the driver’s seat.
Once everything is set, the only visible sections of the cable will be at the top of the charger and between the driver’s seat and the center console. When your phone is mounted and you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, the cable is practically invisible.
Now you can easily mount and charge your phone while driving, whether you prefer horizontal or vertical orientation. The setup is clean, and the experience is fantastic. I hope you like my setup and find this article helpful. If you do, please share it with your fellow Rivian owners. You can also follow my journey by subscribing to my newsletter and following me across social media. Adventure forever!
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