Smartphones have largely replaced dedicated GPS units, but that doesn’t mean your old Garmin mount is useless. In fact, many of those mounts—especially the popular bean bag and suction styles—are still some of the most stable mounts you can use in a vehicle. SO today we’re going to talk about how to make your old GPS mount into a Garmin phone mount.
The key is understanding the 17mm ball system used on most Garmin Nuvi and Drive mounts. Once you know how it works, you can convert that old GPS mount into a fully functional phone mount in seconds.
Why Reuse a Garmin Mount?
Garmin mounts—especially the weighted bean bag mounts—are still some of the best bases available. They’re stable, well-built, and designed specifically for vehicle use.
Instead of buying a completely new mount, you can reuse what you already have and upgrade only the device holder.
Understanding the 17mm Ball System
Most Garmin Nuvi and Drive mounts use a 17mm ball joint. This is a standardized size used across many GPS mounts.
The cradle that originally came with your Garmin snaps onto this ball. When you replace that cradle with a phone-compatible version, the entire mount becomes usable again.
This system allows for full adjustment—tilt, rotation, and angle—just like a modern phone mount.
Best Way to Convert a Garmin Mount
The simplest upgrade is to use a phone cradle designed specifically for 17mm mounts.
1. 17mm Phone Cradle Adapter (Best Overall)
This type of cradle snaps directly onto your existing Garmin mount. It includes an adjustable holder that expands to fit most modern smartphones. Be sure the width of the cradle opens wide enough to handle your phone. Some larger phones and cradles don’t live together nicely.
Most versions also include a tightening ring so you can adjust the angle and lock it into place.
2. 17mm Ball to MagSafe Mount
If you’re using a newer iPhone (12 or newer) or an Android phone with a MagSafe compatible case, you can upgrade even further by using a 17mm-to-MagSafe adapter. This gives you the convenience of magnetic mounting while still using your existing Garmin base.
This is one of the cleanest modern upgrades you can make.
3. 17mm Adapter + Universal Holder
Another option is using a 17mm ball adapter combined with a separate phone holder. This gives you more flexibility in choosing the exact type of cradle you want.
This setup works well if you already have a preferred mount head.
Best Garmin Mounts to Reuse
Not all Garmin mounts are equal. These are the ones worth keeping:
- Bean bag mounts: extremely stable, no installation required (the old part number 010-10908-00)
- High-quality suction mounts: reusable and adjustable
- Dash-mounted bases: solid long-term setups
If you have one of these, it’s almost always worth reusing instead of replacing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the wrong ball size (must be 17mm)
- Using low-quality adapters that loosen over time
- Overloading the mount with heavy devices
- Ignoring compatibility with phone cases
Related Mount Guides
Bottom Line
Old Garmin mounts are far from obsolete. Thanks to the 17mm ball system, they can easily be converted into modern phone mounts with a simple adapter.
If you already have a solid Garmin mount, upgrading it is often better than replacing it. It’s cheaper, more stable, and surprisingly versatile. So why not make it into a Garmin phone mount?
