How to get a popsocket off

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Done using your PopSocket? Removing it is quick and easy
What to Know
How to Remove a Sticky PopSocket
How to Remove a MagSafe PopSocket
About This Article
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Can you remove and reuse a PopSocket?

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Done using your PopSocket? Removing it is quick and easy

Updated on October 22, 2022

What to Know

Collapse the sticky PopSocket so it's flat against your device.
Move your fingernail underneath and around the disc to pry it away from the device.
Carefully pull the PopSocket away from your device. Move it to a new device within 15 minutes.

This article explains how to remove a sticky PopSocket from your phone or other device.

How to Remove a Sticky PopSocket

PopSockets are great for holding a smartphone with one hand while you text with the other, but if you have a new case or upgrade your phone and want to keep your PopSocket, you need to remove it from your current device.

The adhesive gel that sticks it to your phone or case is reusable by design and leaves no residue behind. Here are the steps to remove the PopSocket:

Collapse the PopSocket so that it's flat against your device.
Pry the PopSocket away from the device. Move your fingernail, spudger, or another tool underneath and around the disk as you lift it.
Having a hard time getting the PopSocket to come off? Slide dental floss under the adhesive to get it started. This is easier with a second pair of hands to help.
Carefully pull the PopSocket away from the device until it releases.
When moving a PopSocket to a new position, case, or different phone, do it within 15 minutes of removing the PopSocket so that the adhesive gel doesn't dry out.
While the gel is sticky, move the PopSocket to another device or case or move it to a different spot on the current device.

If the gel on a PopSocket becomes dirty, wash it off with water and allow it to dry for 10 minutes before replacing it.

The phone is clean and PopSocket-free, leaving you ready to add a new case, slip that phone in your back pocket again, or put the PopSocket on your next device.

How to Remove a MagSafe PopSocket

The new MagSafe PopSocket that attaches to a ring of magnets on the back of the iPhone 12 and later doesn't impede wireless chargers.

Removing a MagSafe PopSocket is easier than removing the sticky type. Because it attaches to the phone case with magnets, it can be lifted and repositioned or removed entirely with almost no effort, whenever you want. The only downside is that the magnetic connection isn't as strong as the sticky connection.

FAQ

What is a PopSocket?
PopSocket is the name of a company that manufactures the PopGrip (commonly referred to as a PopSocket). It's a collapsible disk that sticks to the back of your phone to make it easier to hold with one hand.
How do you fix a PopSocket?
If your PopSocket is having trouble sticking to your device, quickly rinse the gel and let it air dry for 10 minutes. Stick the PopSocket back onto your phone. Let it sit for a few hours before engaging it again.

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Easily detach your device's Popsocket using this simple guide

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Popsockets are one of many trendy items to hit the scene, and for good reason. If you own one, you know how fun it is to use! Once attached to your phone or tablet, you can fiddle with the top of a popsocket by pulling it in and out. However, you may eventually want to remove your popsocket and stick it somewhere else. Doing this is very easy. All you have to do is slide your fingernails underneath the base and tug lightly.

1
Push the top of the popsocket down if it’s expanded. Don’t try to remove the popsocket from your device while it is still expanded. The popsocket could potentially detach from its base during the removal process.
2
Work your fingernails under the base of the popsocket. Press your fingernails against the sides of the popsocket’s base and push until you can feel them sliding underneath. You don’t need to push very far—just enough until you have a good grasp on the popsocket. You should already be able to feel the base of the popsocket pulling away from your phone.[1]
- Slide a few inches of dental floss under your popsocket if your fingernails won’t fit under the base.
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3
Pull the popsocket off of your phone slowly. Grip the popsocket lightly as you pull. Work slowly and gently until the popsocket comes off. Try peeling the popsocket off, starting from one side and pulling toward the other.[2]

1
Run the base of the popsocket under cold water for 3 seconds. Your popsocket is small and already very sticky, so you won’t need a lot of water to clean it and help it restick. Too much water could lengthen its drying time past the 15 minute limit and ruin its stickiness.
2
Let the popsocket dry for around 10 minutes. Leave your popsocket out in the open air to dry naturally. Lay it on a paper or cloth towel with the sticky side facing up.
- Avoid letting your popsocket sit out for any longer than 15 minutes. Otherwise, it will lose its ability to stick.
- If your popsocket still isn’t dry after 10 minutes, wipe the base gently with a paper towel.
3
Stick the popsocket back onto your phone or another flat surface. Any clean, flat surface will do. However, keep in mind that a popsocket may not stick as well to surfaces made from leather or silicone, or waterproof surfaces. Mirrors, windows, tablets, and smartphones are the best surfaces to attach a popsocket to.
- Let your popsocket rest for around 1 hour before expanding or closing it. This will give it enough time to fully adhere to your phone again.

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Question
Is it safe to throw away my PopSocket after it’s been used?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Yes, it is safe to throw away your PopSocket. Try to reuse it as much as possible (it should last for at least 100 times removal and reattachment and around 12,000 times of expansion and collapse according to the manufacturer), to make the most of it and keep it out of landfill that little bit longer. A quick search of the PopSockets website as of April 2019 failed to produce an answer as to the product’s ability to be recycled, perhaps email them if you wish to find out.
Question
Can I use a PopSocket in the car?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Yes, there is a special car vent mount that can be purchased and attached to an air vent of your car. Once in place, simply slide the PopSocket into the mount and it’ll hold your phone in place.
Question
Can you reuse a PopSocket?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Yes, you can reuse a PopSocket; the manufacturer claims it can be reused up to 100 times. After removing the PopSocket, take care to reattach it within 15 minutes; oherwise, leaving it exposed to air can dry out the gel. Check the stickiness of the grip before reusing; if it seems less sticky, this can be reactivated by dipping the grip into a little water, then leaving the PopSocket on a dish to air dry for about 10 minutes. Then it’ll be ready to reattach to your phone or other surface.

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To remove a Popsocket that has a finger loop instead, use your fingernail to slightly pry and lift up the Popsocket to unstick it from the adhesive. Then use a thin flat tool (such as a dull butter knife) to slowly lift up the Popsocket even more until it comes off your phone completely.

Don’t worry about aligning the graphic on top of your popsocket as you reposition it. You can fix the graphic’s positioning by twisting the top of the popsocket once you reattach it.[3]
If your nails aren't long enough or if you're worried about them breaking, use a paper clip or safety pin.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

If you need to remove a popsocket from your phone, push down on the top of the popsocket to ensure it’s not expanded. Work your fingernails under the base of the popsocket, then slowly peel the popsocket off of your phone. If your fingernails won’t fit, try sliding a few inches of dental floss under the popsocket instead. Keep reading to learn how to clean and reattach the popsocket!

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Can you remove and reuse a PopSocket?

Yes, you can reuse a PopSocket; the manufacturer claims it can be reused up to 100 times. After removing the PopSocket, take care to reattach it within 15 minutes; oherwise, leaving it exposed to air can dry out the gel.

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