An Austrian startup is selling a simple answer to a common problem: phones that slip out of hands at concerts, on ski lifts, and over balcony railings. The product, a retractable tether called Easy Protect, attaches to a phone and lets it extend on a cord, then reels back in when released.
The company behind it, Peak Protect, is in the process of rebranding to Easy Protect. It was founded by Christopher Czellary and Rainer Czellary, who built the first prototype in 2023 and have since iterated on the design based on customer feedback. The product has been featured on the German-language investment show Die Höhle der Löwen (the local version of Shark Tank/Dragons’ Den), and the company says it has sold to more than 3,000 customers.
How it works
The tether is built around a small spring-loaded reel with an automatic retraction mechanism, similar to a retractable ID badge holder. One end connects to the phone; the other has a carabiner that clips to clothing, a belt, a backpack, or a bag.
The connection to the phone is made through a thin fabric panel that sits between the phone and its case. Because of that design, the tether works with cases that have a closed lower edge, but not with open-bottomed cases. The company lists compatibility with about 99% of smartphones, since the panel does not rely on a specific port or connector.
The cord extends up to 60 cm (about 24 inches, or two feet), which is enough to raise a phone for a photo or hand it to someone nearby. At full extension, the system is designed to arrest a fall rather than let the phone hit the ground, which is the core of what the company calls its fall-protection function. The same tether doubles as theft deterrence, since a phone clipped to the body is harder to grab or to leave behind.
Where it’s meant to be used
The marketing leans heavily on situations where a dropped or lost phone is most likely. The company’s own examples include skiing and riding chairlifts, music festivals, crowded clubs, theme park rides, hiking, boating, and general city travel. The common thread is environments where people hold their phones out to film or photograph, often in motion or above hard or unreachable surfaces.
This is not a rugged case or a waterproof pouch; it does not protect against water or cushion an impact the way a padded case would. Its job is narrower: keeping the phone attached to the user so it does not fall freely or disappear into a crowd.
Product range
Easy Protect sells a few related items. The main tether is listed under the Easy Protect x Peak Protect name. There is also a Silicon Protect version at a higher price point, and a replacement fabric panel sold separately for users who want to move the tether between cases or swap a worn panel.
Installation is meant to be straightforward: the fabric panel slides in between the phone and case, and the reel clips on from there. No app, charging, or pairing is involved, since the device is entirely mechanical.
Why it matters
Phone tethers and lanyards are a growing accessory category, driven by larger and more expensive phones and by how often people film in risky spots. Most lanyards on the market are fixed-length straps. The retractable approach is the main point of difference here: it keeps the cord short and out of the way during normal use, then allows reach when needed.
The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind. The fabric-panel mounting method rules out open-bottomed cases, the 60 cm reach is modest, and the tether addresses drops and loss rather than screen breakage from impact. For users who routinely shoot photos over ledges or in dense crowds, though, a mechanical leash is an inexpensive form of insurance.
Price and availability
Easy Protect is currently listed in two versions. Easy Protect V1 is priced at €14.99, reduced from €17.99. Easy Protect V2 is priced at €19.99, reduced from €24.99. The Silicon Protect version is listed at €19.99, with options that include either one free panel or one free bicycle mount. Replacement fabric panels are sold separately for €2.99 in multiple colors, including black, pink, turquoise, white, and dark green.
Prices include VAT, with shipping calculated separately at checkout. The company ships from Austria, and the site lists free shipping on orders over €70, along with typical delivery of three to four business days.
Source: Easy Protect
