Many drivers notice small raised plastic tabs between the cup holders in their car without realizing they may serve a practical purpose. At first glance, the narrow gap can look like a decorative detail or simply part of the center-console design. However, in many vehicles, these two raised supports are actually designed to hold a smartphone.

The bottom edge of a phone can be placed into the narrow opening between the supports, allowing the device to stand upright instead of lying loose inside the car. This can provide a convenient place to keep your phone while parked and can prevent it from taking up space on the passenger seat, dashboard, or inside a cup holder.

The feature can be especially useful when both cup holders are needed for drinks. Instead of sacrificing one cup holder to store a phone, you can use the small slot between the supports while keeping both holders available. The exact size of the opening varies by vehicle, however, so thicker phones or cases may not fit properly.

Many people never discover this feature because the supports blend into the surrounding console and don’t resemble traditional phone holders. The next time you notice those small tabs between your cup holders, take a closer look. What appears to be an unnecessary piece of plastic may actually be a simple, built-in solution for keeping your phone upright and within easy reach.