Why your wallet does not need to live in your pocket

Open your wallet. Count how many of those cards you used this month. For most people the answer is two or three.

The case for carrying less

A magnetic card wallet snaps onto the back of an iPhone and holds the cards you actually use. Everything else stays at home. Your back pocket stops bulging, and you stop carrying an object you only open twice a day.

How the magnets work

iPhone 12 and later have a ring of magnets built into the back, designed for accessories. A magnetic wallet aligns to that ring and holds firmly. With a MagSafe-compatible case it works the same way. On a phone with no magnets, you need a magnetic ring stuck to the back.

What to check before buying

• Magnet strength. Weak magnets are the main complaint on cheap versions. It should stay attached when pulled from a pocket.
• Card access. A push-up thumb slot lets you slide a card out one-handed.
• Thickness. Anything over half a centimetre defeats the purpose.

The honest limitation

It holds two or three cards, not eight, and it will not carry cash. If you need both, it works as a second wallet for daily carry rather than a replacement.