How to Remove a Popsocket

Easily detach your device's Popsocket using this simple guide

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 11, 2022

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.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Removing the Popsocket

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]
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Research source}
- 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]
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Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Cleaning and Reattaching Popsockets

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.

Community Q&A

Question

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

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
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?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
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?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
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.