Where do you keep your phone?

On a multi-pitch, I like having my phone handy for timekeeping and for easy access to the topo.  

I don't like the back pocket of my pants.  I never dropped a phone when I put it there, but the big phones they make these days do not feel secure at all there.  Similarly, today's phones are too big for front pockets; they get in the way and constrain movement.  I'm also always scared of dropping the phone when it's in my hands, so I prefer something clippable.

I had some luck with the Seattle Sport Dry Case: https://www.rei.com/product/100911/seattle-sports-e-merse-deeper-dry-case
I changed the leash to a short clippable loop and leave it on the back of my harness.  Unfortunately, the case feels pretty flimsy and after a couple wall scratches, it becomes hard to see the screen.  

When climbing with a day pack, leaving the phone in the pack works, but most of the time the pack stays with the follower, so that's not very helpful when the leader needs a quick glance at the topo.

So reading myself it sounds like I have to go back to a tiny phone that will fit nicely in my pant pockets, but maybe someone else have been more creative and found a better way.  Where do you keep your phone on a multi-pitch climb?

Zippered side pants pocket.  

Obligatory "The car."

But, I have a 'big wall' chalk bag that has a large pocket on it, suitable for my iPhone. It makes chalking up a little awkward sometimes if you're trying really hard, but its usually fine.

Who ever designs a phone case with a carabiner hole would make bank. Think all the biners being used for keys.

Ideally a zippered breast pocket like that found on the Patagonia R1 or Marmot Preon. I don't notice it there and it's the easiest access for taking photos. Otherwise the zipper cargo pocket on my pants. I'd leave it behind if the only option was dangling it from my harness.

Multi pitch I carry a small pack (BD Bullet) and keep phone in it. Clip bag to anchor and easy to access phone at belay. 

https://tufaclimbing.com/products/houdini-chalk-bag

I keep a Petzl e+LITE, CRKT NIAD, and OR Splitter Gloves in the bottom. An iPhone X will then slide up into the inside that presses against your back. Can easily spin it around to take photos while I ignore my belay duties

I leave it in the car.

If I'm wearing a jacket, it goes in the breast pocket. If not-- then it goes in the regular unzipped pocket where it normally spends its time. Haven't had it fall out yet and usually have to wrestle my harness to even pull it out for photos.

Thread hijack:
If someone makes a great climbing pant with a good zipped pocket, that's not baggy, is stretchy, decently priced, and looks casual enough for everyday wear -- let me know. (have tried Stretch zion, Prana Brion, EB first ascent, BD First lite (worst ever!), OR -- bad fit.)  

Chris treggE wrote: Zippered side pants pocket.  

x2

Galaxy S5 with otterbox (pretty typical size phone with a thick case) fits fine in my front pocket, screenside in, in every pair of pants I have, from khakis to jeans, including the ones I climb in...( typically prana Zions). I have no issue keeping it there all day.  I could see an issue with some of the xl phones.

Everyone saying leave it in the car: Have you considered that coms are often the most important tool in an emergency situation? 

No, phone goes in the breast zipper pocket. Never in the pants pocket if you are going to use a butt scrum in a chimney, brahs.

For me it's not a phone that I like to grab easily but the paper topo.  Similar shape and thickness.  I recently made myself a pair of climbing pants with a pocket in the perfect position - in front and below the leg harness point, a few inches above the knee.  It's actually a double pocket, the front has a velcro closure and the section next to the pant leg is a open pocket.  It's just the right size for topos (or a cell phone if I wanted to carry one).  
It kind of surprises me that at the huge cost of these pants everyone makes that are supposedly designed for climbers, that this isn't a standard design feature.  A back or front pocket that sits inside your harness area is a complete pain to access.

Brian Abram wrote: https://tufaclimbing.com/products/houdini-chalk-bag

I keep a Petzl e+LITE, CRKT NIAD, and OR Splitter Gloves in the bottom. An iPhone X will then slide up into the inside that presses against your back. Can easily spin it around to take photos while I ignore my belay duties

Another vote for this one. Phone always goes in here, along with bars, a wind shirt and maybe even some cord if I'm feeling fancy. Easy to take out and the cupped bottom makes sure the phone doesn't go flying out when I open it.

Jaren Watson wrote:

Does your phone function as a phone where you climb?

Mine doesn’t.

just so you know, emergency calls/texts may still go through even if your phone shows no service. for a 911 call, your phone will connect to ANY cell network, not just the one you pay for. this is at least true in the US, and is used all the time.

Yannick Gingras wrote: On a multi-pitch, I like having my phone handy for timekeeping and for easy access to the topo.  

I don't like the back pocket of my pants.  

Same here, I found these: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3023504/mens-sonoma-goods-for-life-regular-fit-flexwear-stretch-cargo-pants.jsp?color=Dark%20Khaki&prdPV=2 on sale recently for ~$5/pair. The side pockets work quite well for phone. And they use buttons instead of velcro which is a plus.

I use an iPhone SE because it's the smallest smart phone I could find. It goes in the front pocket, which is deep enough to get the phone under the leg loop so it won't come out accidentally. Otterbox Defender case with a tempered glass screen protector in case I drop it. If I expect offwidths or squeeze chimneys the phone goes in the pack or stays on the ground.

https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/iphone-5-5s-se/defender-series-build-your-own-case/apl2-iphone-5s-byo-2.html#start=1

Zippered breast pocket if the shirt I'm wearing has one. Otherwise a zippered pant side pocket (take out of pocket if the pitch is blue collar climbing.) I've tested the soon-to-be-released Koala by Hangtime Gear and will definitely buy one when released. I felt A LOT more comfortable with my phone in my back pocket or unzippered pants pocket with this thing. It also makes me feel way better when leaning out from the belay to take a photo or just using my phone for topo review at the belay.

Check out the chalk bags with the zippered pockets, made by Tufa Climbing. I like the houdini for holding my phone while climbing. https://tufaclimbing.com/collections/all

Cargo pocket playing music. In colder stuff I have it in a chest pocket. The designer of chalk bags seem to think we all use flip phones.
No one asked, but I will say my Samsung S7 Edge has taken a few big falls and trundled rocks without a scratch!