An apparatus for assisting a user in gripping a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a base element adapted to be attached to the portable electronic device, wherein the base element has a top surface with an attachment region (22, 32) and a bottom surface configured to mount the base element onto the portable electronic device; a gripping element, wherein the gripping element has a bottom surface with an attachment region; and a stretchable cord connecting the base element and the gripping element at the respective attachment regions thereof, wherein the stretchable cord is attached to the base element and to the gripping element at the respective attachment regions thereof, wherein the stretchable cord is sufficiently elastic to allow the gripping element to be extended away from the base element a sufficient distance for a user to insert one or more fingers between the gripping element and the base element, to grip the user's fingers when they are inserted between the gripping element and the base element, and to snap back against the base element when the user's fingers are removed; whereby the stretchable cord is sufficiently elastic to allow the gripping element to automatically adjust a tightness of its grip to a thickness of the user's fingers when they are inserted between the gripping element and the base element; wherein the attachment regions of the base element and of the gripping element have respective corresponding engaging elements that cooperate with one another to permit the base element and the gripping element to be secured against or engaged with one another when the user's fingers are removed from between the gripping element and the base element; and wherein the attachment regions of the base element and of the gripping element have respective corresponding contours that cooperate with one another to permit the gripping element to be angled relative to the base element so that the user's fingers may be inserted between the gripping element and the base element. a base element adapted to be attached to the portable electronic device, wherein the base element has a top surface with an attachment region (22, 32) and a bottom surface configured to mount the base element onto the portable electronic device; a gripping element, wherein the gripping element has a bottom surface with an attachment region; and a stretchable cord connecting the base element and the gripping element at the respective attachment regions thereof, wherein the stretchable cord is attached to the base element and to the gripping element at the respective attachment regions thereof, wherein the stretchable cord is sufficiently elastic to allow the gripping element to be extended away from the base element a sufficient distance for a user to insert one or more fingers between the gripping element and the base element, to grip the user's fingers when they are inserted between the gripping element and the base element, and to snap back against the base element when the user's fingers are removed; whereby the stretchable cord is sufficiently elastic to allow the gripping element to automatically adjust a tightness of its grip to a thickness of the user's fingers when they are inserted between the gripping element and the base element; wherein the attachment regions of the base element and of the gripping element have respective corresponding engaging elements that cooperate with one another to permit the base element and the gripping element to be secured against or engaged with one another when the user's fingers are removed from between the gripping element and the base element; and wherein the attachment regions of the base element and of the gripping element have respective corresponding contours that cooperate with one another to permit the gripping element to be angled relative to the base element so that the user's fingers may be inserted between the gripping element and the base element.