Magnetically attaching a digiscope adapter on a MagSafe compatible iPhone to take photos through scope or binoculars.

Want to use iPhone 17 Pro to take digiscope photos using a smartphone adapter mounted to eye piece on binoculars, telescope or spotting scope. The best adapters I have found have a metal plate that is attached to back of the phone. This allows quick attach and detach from the phone and simple or one time alignment with phone camera lens. Adapters like Kite Optics Smartphone Adapter and FANAUE Telescope Phone Adapter. Has anyone used either or similar device on an iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, or an earlier model iPhone Pro/Pro Max? If the metal plate covers part of the MagSafe area has it interfered with or prevented use of MagSafe charging of the phone?

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 23, 2026 2:55 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 11:13 AM

Forget a magnetic mount. Instead consider a better and considerably more reliable physical mounting that securely clamps to your iPhone.


There are several "universal" Digiscoping Adapters available from various manufacturers. Speaking of personal experience, I have no hesitation in recommending Kowa's Smartoscope Vario system - designed to work with a wide range of mobile phones and optical equipment, from many manufacturers:

https://www.kowaoptic.com/Digiscoping/Smartphone-Digiscoping/Universal-Kowa/

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/0c/19/95/1711547175/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Brochure.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/bc/39/d7/1711547186/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Configuration.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/0a/04/b6/1711547198/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Instructions.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/Digiscoping/Smartphone-Digiscoping/Adapter-rings/


The Smartoscope Digiscoping Adapter is somewhat more expensive than some solutions, but is a solid investment. The Smartoscope solution is not device specific (unlike some) and will remain usable with your current and future mobile phone(s), these potentially being replaced much more frequently than your quality telescope or binocular optics.


You'll need the basic Smartoscope Adapter plate - and an eyepiece adapter ring that matches your spotting scope or binocular eyepiece. If you change your optics, or use multiple instruments, you only need to purchase a new eyepiece adapter ring to match - simply screwing the new eyepiece adapter ring onto the Smartoscope Adapter plate.


I have personally used this system with iPhone Pro 13, 14 and 17 - coupled to both a Leica Spotting scope and Binoculars using the appropriate eyepiece adapter.


Clearly, you not be able to use MagSafe charging when using a suitable Digiscoping Adaper. You can still use the USB-C port - this being unobstructed.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 24, 2026 11:13 AM in response to spdsail

Forget a magnetic mount. Instead consider a better and considerably more reliable physical mounting that securely clamps to your iPhone.


There are several "universal" Digiscoping Adapters available from various manufacturers. Speaking of personal experience, I have no hesitation in recommending Kowa's Smartoscope Vario system - designed to work with a wide range of mobile phones and optical equipment, from many manufacturers:

https://www.kowaoptic.com/Digiscoping/Smartphone-Digiscoping/Universal-Kowa/

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/0c/19/95/1711547175/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Brochure.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/bc/39/d7/1711547186/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Configuration.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/media/0a/04/b6/1711547198/Smartoscope%20Vario%20Instructions.pdf

https://www.kowaoptic.com/Digiscoping/Smartphone-Digiscoping/Adapter-rings/


The Smartoscope Digiscoping Adapter is somewhat more expensive than some solutions, but is a solid investment. The Smartoscope solution is not device specific (unlike some) and will remain usable with your current and future mobile phone(s), these potentially being replaced much more frequently than your quality telescope or binocular optics.


You'll need the basic Smartoscope Adapter plate - and an eyepiece adapter ring that matches your spotting scope or binocular eyepiece. If you change your optics, or use multiple instruments, you only need to purchase a new eyepiece adapter ring to match - simply screwing the new eyepiece adapter ring onto the Smartoscope Adapter plate.


I have personally used this system with iPhone Pro 13, 14 and 17 - coupled to both a Leica Spotting scope and Binoculars using the appropriate eyepiece adapter.


Clearly, you not be able to use MagSafe charging when using a suitable Digiscoping Adaper. You can still use the USB-C port - this being unobstructed.


Magnetically attaching a digiscope adapter on a MagSafe compatible iPhone to take photos through scope or binoculars.

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