Phone case that protects the phone and hides one car key?

July 26, 2017 5:17 AM

Do you know of a phone case with a compartment big enough to hold a car key? They key is pretty flat for a car key, meaning there's no electronic fob attached.

My niece is constantly locking her keys in her car, but she has never once locked her phone in the car. In fact, I don't think it ever leaves her side. We're thinking that hiding a car key in her phone case will save us some needless trips and calls to AAA.

I should mention that my niece is hard on phone cases. I think she chews on them or something. Or hammers nails with them? I don't know, but they get pretty beat up.

posted by braveterry to Grab Bag (14 answers total)

I started wearing my car key around my neck to break the habit ... six weeks each time

Other than that, there are some "card cases" that you glue on the back of your phone for a credit card ... but she'd have to make sure she puts it in the phone every time.
posted by tilde at 5:25 AM on July 26, 2017

At one time, I had a magnetic box for hiding a key under a fender.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:40 AM on July 26, 2017 [2 favorites]

I use this Belkin case for my iPhone 5S. In the flip-back cover, it has a slot where I keep a business card with my contact details, but it would hold a flat key - you might need to tape it in there to keep it from slipping out. There might be a similar version of this for other makes and models. You don't mention which phone it is for.
posted by sagwalla at 5:40 AM on July 26, 2017

I buy super cheap rubbery plastic cases on Amazon (several brands) and I have never been unable to wedge a single key between the phone's back and the case. It will occasionally cause a bit of bumpout but the rubbery plastic will relax to allow it.
posted by notorious medium at 6:14 AM on July 26, 2017 [2 favorites]

The phone case I use is from Verus, and it has a compartment that's deep enough to hold two cards and some emergency cash. It's an older style (the Damda Slide) so I don't see it available on Amazon anymore, but it looks like there are still cases for various phones available on eBay.
posted by alynnk at 6:29 AM on July 26, 2017

Sorry to be that person who doesn't quite answer the question, but have you considered keyless entry apps, such as the Viper SmartKey? The start-up costs are more expensive, but if she goes through phone cases frequently it will probably break even eventually. And she may not like any phone case that is big enough to store a key.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 7:17 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

I have this case and the "wallet" is definitely deep enough for a standard metal key.
posted by no1hatchling at 7:19 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

You didn't say what model phone, but if it's a bit older you might be able to find a Speck Candyshell Amped case for it.

This case is a bit thicker because of the sound baffle/boost channel in the back. I found I was able to keep a little bit of money and/or a key in that channel area. Speck phone cases are also very durable.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:30 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

If it's a normal old key without any electronic signal, I remember that AAA used to be able to make plastic cards where a copy of your key could pop out. It was not good enough to start your car, but good enough to open the door. It saved my bacon quite a bit. This was back in the early 2000s.
posted by Pacrand at 8:56 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

i just keep flat stuff (cash, cc) stuck between the back of my phone and the (cheap, $10 on amazon) case. no special extra compartment required. nothing has ever fallen out or gotten lost, it's actually quite fiddly to remove the case and get at the emergency cash.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:16 AM on July 26, 2017

I use a Sinjimoru pouch for this -- it attaches to any case and keeps a snug fit on the key.
posted by argonauta at 9:38 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

I have an Otterbox Defender case and there's enough flex between the hard plastic shell and the soft rubber outside skin for a flat key. It does a super job of protecting my phone from drops and general mistreatment.
posted by beandip at 9:53 AM on July 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

I would just get her an otterbox case and then duct tape (completely cover the key) a spare to the outside of the back of the case. Not pretty, probably looks dumb, but maybe that will be an impetus for a move towards key location mindfulness.
posted by WeekendJen at 12:55 PM on July 26, 2017

Response by poster: I think we're going to try slipping the spare key into the back of an Otterbox Defender case for now. Thanks for all of the good ideas!
posted by braveterry at 5:31 AM on July 31, 2017 [1 favorite]