Mobile phone charm

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}[[Image:Cell phone with charms and stickers.jpg|thumb|right|Mahjong tile phone charm]]

'''Phone charms''' (also '''phone danglers''', '''phone lanyards''', '''phone chains''' and '''phone straps''') are charms that are connected to a mobile device either via a phone connector or a silicone plug, which fits into the jack port sometimes provided with circle cotters and a lobster clasp, or a small strap, knotted with a cow hitch knot, or a lanyard. Some phones may have a loop hole through which a strap can be attached or a phone case may be needed for the strap in phones that lack a loophole. In Japan, they are known as {{Nihongo|"keitai straps"|携帯ストラップ}}. Phone straps have now become a cultural phenomenon beyond their basic utility, and they may be themed with famous characters such as ''Hello Kitty''. Phone straps may also serve additional functions, such as screen cleaning.

==History== Phone charms first originated in Japan and later in the United States. They gradually became popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In recent years, it has become popular to accessorize a phone this way, and Maki-e stickers are also becoming more common, especially in Japan, and to a lesser extent, other parts of Asia {{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}.

When Apple released the iPhone 3GS in 2008, it lacked a slot for attaching accessories.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Lee |first=Seoyeon |last2=Sundar |first2=S. Shyam |date=2015 |title=Cosmetic Customization of Mobile Phones: Cultural Antecedents, Psychological Correlates |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=100298644&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=Media Psychology |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=1–23 |doi=10.1080/15213269.2013.853618|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In response, a Korean company invented hanging charms that consumers could attach to the phone using screws.<ref name=":0" />

In 2018, British designer Anya Hindmarch introduced dangling mobile phone charms as part of her "Pimp Your Phones" collection.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Conti |first=Samantha |date=May 2018 |title=A Real Charmer |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=130509118&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=Women's Wear Daily |via=EBSCOhost}}</ref> Cellphone charms have seen a resurgence in popularity corresponding to the Y2K aesthetic trend of the 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakshi |first=Pema |title=Phone Charms Are The Unsung Heroes Of The Y2K Revival |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/phone-charms-trend-y2k-fashion |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Refinery29 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glover |first=Ella |date=2022-03-10 |title=Phone charms are the latest Y2K trend to make a resurgence |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/10/searches-for-phone-charms-are-up-as-the-y2k-resurgence-continues-16250988/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref>

==Types of charms== There are a variety of charms available, such as miniature figurines of characters, rhinestone crystal charms, and beaded charms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Alexandra |date=2021-11-25 |title=25 beaded phone charms to level up your selfie game |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/beaded-phone-charms |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Glamour UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bengel |first=Copelyn |date=2024-02-20 |title=The Beaded Phone Strap Is A Y2K Accessory That Celebrities Love |url=https://www.nylon.com/fashion/beaded-phone-strap-charm-string |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Nylon |language=en}}</ref> Some charms flash or light up when the phone rings {{Citation needed | date=January 2026}}. Many charms also have a small bell attached. Charms can be found in Gashapon machines, many of which are based on characters from popular franchises. There are also charms that can be utilized as a screen cleaner {{Citation needed | date=January 2026}}.

==See also== * Charm bracelet * Key chain

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Mobile phones Category:Fashion accessories Category:2000s fashion Category:Heisei era