Schools across the country are spending tens of thousands of dollars on Yondr pouches to keep phones out of use during class. But what many administrators don’t realize is just how easy these pouches are to bypass. In fact, a quick search online for a Yondr pouch opener or a Yondr pouch magnet shows a growing marketplace of tools and tutorials dedicated to unlocking them.
TikTok Tutorials Everywhere
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you’ll find countless tutorial videos showing students exactly how to open a Yondr pouch in seconds. Some demonstrate pressing on the seams with just the right amount of pressure, while others showcase how to use cheap magnets to pop the lock. What was supposed to be a secure, foolproof system has turned into a viral challenge – one that students are bragging about and openly sharing online.
Amazon is Selling the Solution
It’s not just TikTok. Amazon and other marketplaces are filled with listings for magnets explicitly advertised as “Yondr pouch openers.” Some cost as little as $9.99, marketed directly to students as a workaround to the system.
Yes, this is a real Amazon listing – featuring the words “UNLOCK TO GET YOUR PHONE OUT,” with the magnet pictured directly against a Yondr pouch look-alike. Price? Just $9.99. And it’s labeled “Amazon’s Choice.”
Considering districts and schools are spending tens and tens of thousands of dollars on these pouch systems, it’s nothing short of ludicrous that they can be bypassed with a $9.99 magnet shipped by Prime.
The Security Illusion
This creates a troubling reality for schools. They aren’t just investing in a flawed solution – they’re funding a system that students are actively hacking and undermining. The presence of a Yondr pouch might look like discipline and order, but in practice it creates a cat-and-mouse game where students are one Amazon purchase away from bypassing the rules.
Even worse, Yondr pouches come with a host of hidden costs – staffing, replacements, and constant oversight – that can actually make them more expensive than permanent alternatives. See our full breakdown here:
👉 The Hidden Costs of Yondr Pouches: Are They Worth It?
Why Smart Lockers Make More Sense
Instead of pouring budget into a disposable system students openly hack, schools can invest in a permanent solution like the HonestWaves SecureTech EDU Series Smart Locker, purpose-built specifically for K-12 environments. Unlike pouches, lockers are built to last, don’t require constant staff time, and offer a suite of reporting to track compliance. Students focus better in class, and school admin have peace of mind that their campus is truly a phone-free zone. It’s a scalable, future-proof option that eliminates both the security flaws and hidden costs of Yondr pouches.
The Bottom Line
If the effectiveness of your phone policy depends on a $30 pouch that can be defeated with a $9.99 Yondr pouch magnet, is it really effective? Schools deserve better than a security illusion.
Smart Lockers provide accountability, durability, and real long-term savings – while Yondr pouches drain budgets and invite hacks. The choice is clear.