It’s no mystery that your Samsung Galaxy phone has a USB port, but you’re likely only using it for one thing: charging. However, you may be surprised to learn that the USB-C port on a phone can do a lot more than that. Here are six uses you may or may not know about.
Transfer Files and Photos More Easily to a Computer
There are many different ways to transfer things from your Galaxy phone to your computer, but the most straightforward, no-nonsense method is to simply plug it in. Not only is it easy, but it’s also faster than any wireless method you might use. Your computer should immediately recognize your phone as a storage device, from there you can drag and drop to your heart’s content.
Move Files and Photos to a USB Drive
But what if you want to skip the computer entirely? USB drives are synonymous with computers, but you can just as easily plug a USB drive directly into your Galaxy phone, too. With a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter or a USB-C drive, you can offload files, back up documents, or even watch movies directly from the drive. It’s perfect for when your phone storage is bursting at the seams.
Transfer Files and Photos Between Phones
Speaking of direct connections, the two methods mentioned above can also be used to move files and photos between two phones. For example, maybe you and a friend both have a ton of pictures from a vacation together. Instead of slow cloud uploads or fiddling with sharing apps, you can connect your phones directly with a USB-C to USB-C cable or swap USB drives and move everything over in a flash.
Connect Peripherals
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The USB isn’t just about storage—it can also transform your phone into a hub for all sorts of peripherals. Need to type out a long email but hate the on-screen keyboard? Plug in a physical keyboard. Want to get some serious gaming done? Connect a game controller. You can even hook up a mouse for more precise navigation. Android is able to natively recognize all of these devices and allow them to work as you’d expect. It’s like turning your phone into a mini computer.
Charge Your Other Accessories
You probably use the USB port to charge your Galaxy phone, but that same port can be used to charge other devices as well. Imagine your wireless earbuds or smartwatch running low on power and you’re not near an outlet. If you have the right cable in your bag, you can simply plug it into your phone and use it exactly like a power bank, giving your other gadgets a much-needed boost. Of course, if you still need your phone to work, keep a close eye on how much juice you’re donating.
Turn Your Phone Into a Desktop PC with DeX
Finally, for the ultimate power user, there’s Samsung DeX. This feature turns your Galaxy phone into a full-fledged desktop PC experience. Connect your phone to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and a desktop-like interface will automatically appear on the screen, allowing you to multitask with multiple windows, just like on a computer. It’s a game-changer for productivity on the go.
While some of these things may seem obvious, not everyone thinks about phones in the same way they think about computers. A USB port on a Galaxy phone is nearly as versatile as a USB port on a computer if you know how to use it. Transferring files and photos is the main purpose, but it can do so much more. You’ll never know until you try!
