A phone mount should make a drive feel less cluttered, not add another distraction near the windscreen. Learning how to install a rear view mirror phone mount properly means finding a position that keeps navigation easy to glance at, holds your mobile steady over rough roads and preserves a clear view ahead.
Rear-view-mirror mounts attach to the mirror stem or the back of the mirror housing, placing your phone higher than a dash-mounted holder without sticking anything to the glass. They suit drivers who want a clean cabin setup, especially when the dashboard has limited flat space or the windscreen is already busy with cameras and toll tags. The exact fitting method varies by mount, but careful positioning matters more than force.
Check the mount and mirror before you start
Park on level ground, switch the engine off and put the handbrake on. Set your rear-view mirror as you normally would first. If you fit the mount before adjusting the mirror, you may have to loosen and reposition it later.
Most rear view mirror phone mounts use one of two systems. A clamp-style mount wraps around the mirror stem, usually with an adjustable screw, ratchet or tension strap. A clip-style mount grips the edge or rear of the mirror housing with spring-loaded arms. Some designs combine an adjustable clamp with an extending arm and rotating phone cradle.
Before fitting anything, check that the mount suits the shape and thickness of your mirror or mirror stem. Avoid forcing a clamp over a bulky electronic mirror housing, an integrated camera unit or a wiring cover. If the mount is designed for a standard stem but your vehicle has a wide, enclosed mirror base, it may not sit securely.
Take your phone out of a very thick wallet case before testing the cradle. A standard protective case is usually fine, but cards, pop grips and oversized camera surrounds can stop the holder from closing fully. If you use magnetic charging accessories, also check that the phone’s magnetic ring or case does not interfere with the mount’s grip.
How to install a rear view mirror phone mount
Start by opening the clamp or clip fully. For a stem-mounted model, place the mount around the narrow section directly behind the mirror rather than on the mirror itself. This gives the mount a stable anchor and allows you to keep the reflective surface clear.
For a housing-mounted model, line up the padded grips on the rear or lower edge of the mirror housing. The pads should contact solid plastic, not the mirror glass, buttons, sensors or a fragile trim panel. Hold the mount in place while you tighten the adjustment knob or release the clip.
Tighten only until the mount no longer shifts when you apply light pressure. Overtightening can mark plastic trim, strain a mirror stem or make later adjustments difficult. If your mount includes silicone pads, make sure they sit flat. A folded pad or trapped piece of dust can create a small wobble that becomes noticeable once the phone is attached.
Next, adjust the extension arm and phone cradle. Keep the phone as close to the mirror as practical. A long arm may look flexible, but extra reach creates more vibration on uneven suburban streets, motorways and corrugated regional roads. A compact position is generally steadier and easier to check without moving your eyes far from the road.
Open the phone holder, place your mobile in the centre and close the arms firmly. If the mount has a bottom support, rest the phone on it before tightening the side grips. Give the phone a gentle shake. It should not slide sideways, tilt forward or press any side buttons.
Finally, rotate the cradle into portrait or landscape orientation. Portrait is often useful for calls and compact map guidance, while landscape can make navigation details easier to read. Choose the orientation that keeps the display useful without covering the rear-view mirror or your forward view.
Set the viewing angle before driving
Sit in the driver’s seat and check three things: your rear vision, your view through the windscreen and the phone screen. You should be able to see the full rear-view mirror, glance at the map without leaning forward and look ahead without the mobile sitting in your main line of sight.
Aim the screen slightly below eye level and angle it to reduce glare. Direct sunlight can wash out even a bright display, particularly during early-morning and late-afternoon driving. A small tilt towards the driver is usually enough. Do not angle it so far that it becomes visible only from one precise seating position, especially if more than one person drives the car.
If the mount blocks your mirror, sits in the sweep of a sun visor or forces the phone too close to your face, move it. The best position is not necessarily the highest one. It is the one that is secure, readable and unobtrusive.
Keep cables and controls clear
A rear-view-mirror mount is particularly useful for navigation, but charging cables need a little planning. Run a USB cable from the power source along the headlining edge or down the side of the dash where possible, rather than leaving it hanging across the steering wheel or gear selector. Use cable clips if needed and leave enough slack for small mirror adjustments.
Keep cables away from airbags, steering controls, pedals and any moving parts. In many vehicles, the front pillar area contains curtain-airbag components, so do not tuck a cable deeply behind trim unless you know the route is safe. A simple, visible path that does not interfere with driving controls is better than a hidden cable that creates a safety risk.
If you prefer a cable-free setup, use a fully charged magnetic battery pack before you leave. This can be handy for shorter trips or when your vehicle’s charging port is inconveniently placed. Whatever power method you choose, set navigation and music before moving off. A secure mount is not a licence to adjust apps while driving.
Test it on the road, then make one small adjustment
Your driveway test tells you whether the mount is fitted. Your first short drive tells you whether it is positioned well. Travel over a few normal road surfaces and watch for vibration, sagging or a phone cradle that slowly changes angle. Pull over somewhere safe before making any adjustment.
A little movement on rough roads is normal, particularly with larger phones. Constant bouncing is not. First check the clamp tension and the phone grip. If both are firm, shorten the extension arm or move the mount closer to the mirror stem. The closer the phone sits to the attachment point, the less leverage it has to shake the mount loose.
Recheck the mount after the first day of use and again after a long drive. Temperature changes can affect plastic, rubber pads and tension mechanisms, while normal vibration may settle a new fitting. This takes seconds and helps protect both your phone and your vehicle interior.
Common installation mistakes to avoid
The most common issue is fitting the mount too low or too far from the mirror. It may seem more comfortable at first, but a long extension arm can bounce and obstruct controls. Keep the setup compact instead.
Another mistake is mounting over buttons, sensors or the mirror’s adjustment points. Auto-dimming mirrors, garage-door controls and camera-equipped mirror units need clear access. Check every feature before you tighten the mount fully.
Also avoid setting the screen to maximum brightness all the time. It can be distracting at night and drains your battery faster. Use automatic brightness where available, or lower the display before evening driving.
Lastly, make sure your installation complies with applicable road rules and does not obstruct your view of the road, mirrors or vehicle controls. Requirements can differ between Australian states and territories, so when in doubt, reposition the mount lower and closer to the mirror rather than letting the phone dominate the windscreen area.
A properly fitted rear-view-mirror phone mount should fade into the background: your route is visible when you need it, your cabin stays tidy and your focus remains where it belongs - on the drive ahead.