9 uses for your iPhone’s USB-C port other than fast charging

1. Load another device

Rival companies, like Samsung, have long supported the inverted wireless load, allowing users to transform their smartphones into portable Qi pads. However, it is not so practical, forcing users to return their phone and make the two unusable. With the iPhone 15 and the new models, Apple has presented its own version which works via the USB-C port.

Your iPhone can now deliver up to 4.5 W in electricity, allowing you to load your AirPods, Apple Watch or even the Android phone of a friend. To do this, simply connect your USB-C cable to the iPhone and the other end in the USB-C port on the other device.

2. Increase your storage

Even with 128 GB as standard, we have probably all met the full storage alert of the iPhone. While data stored in iCloud can easily be discharged from local memory, not all users trust cloud storage. Fortunately, the iPhone 15 and 16 support a wide range of external storage devices, including USB sticks and hard drives. This facilitates the release of space by moving large files to a separate reader. To start, connect a flash drive compatible to your iPhone using its USB-C port. You can then display, manage and transfer data using the integrated Files application.

One of the solid options is this tiny Samsung type-C Flash reader, which supports regular file transfers and real-time professional video storage. As a Pro Enclusiveness, those with the most high -end iPhone 15 and 16 models can directly record Prore video on a compatible external storage device. Given the considerable size of the raw sequences, being able to write the data directly on a separate device can help you get out for longer periods and avoid filling the memory of your iPhone.

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3. Connect a keyboard

Although iPads and Macs are better suited to entering long shapes, iPhones – especially models of almost 7 inches and pro max – can always effectively manage productivity tasks. To get the most out of the relatively small screen, you may want to associate it with a dedicated keyboard. Fortunately, iOS natively implies this via the USB-C port.

Most standard keyboards should work very well with your iPhone. Or if you always want to have a keyboard with you, you can opt for a case of clicks, which connects to your USB-C port so that it is always ready for a text or an email.

4. Amplify your microphone

In the era of Tiktok, everyone is a content creator, so a high quality microphone is an essential tool. Fortunately, the USB-C port of your iPhone can support a wide range of them, allowing you to combine your images with high quality crystal sound. A reliable option is the Rode wireless microphone, which uses wearing your iPhone while maintaining the convenience of wireless recording.

5. Add an SD card

Photographers and videographers love Handy SD machines on board the most recent MacBook Pro and Mac Studio, but this convenience does not extend to the device that makes most of your shoot. Fortunately, this can be easily corrected with a wired SD card reader. While more recent cameras generally support the transfers of wireless photos via their respective companions, the process tends to be slower than the cable alternative. The Apple USB-C card reader connects to your iPhone via its load port and should operate with all relevant SD cards. You can also use this same dongle with your Mac or iPad during publishing on a larger screen.

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6. Connect an external display

If you are staying in a hotel that blocks the cast of wireless media, you may reflect your iPhone screen to the TV using a wired solution. The Apple Digital Digital Multiport Adapter transforms the load port of your iPhone into an HDMI connector, allowing you to look at 4K content on larger screens using an ordinary HDMI cable.

7. Connect a game controller

Thanks to the A17 and A18 fleas, the latest pro-TV iPhones can perform AAA games. However, these titles generally need a controller, because touch controls do not always offer the best gameplay if they are available at all. While the DualSense controller of Sony supports Bluetooth appearance, opt for the wired mode using the iPhone USB-C port can minimize latency and improve overall performance.

8. Connect to Ethernet

Speaking of play, the iPhone 15 and 16 models support the Ethernet Dongles, allowing faster download and download speeds. Although Wi-Fi and 5G are sufficient for most users, Ethernet can be useful when looking for an even more reliable connection. The USB-C adapter in Ethernet de Belkin is one of the solid options that is guaranteed to do the work.

9. Do everything

The biggest detriment of the iPhone is that there is only one port, but a USB hub can give you much more. We recommend the PLUGABLE 7-in-1 USB-C HUB MULTUPABLE adapter, which will bring a helmet plug, a USB-C load, a HDMI, an SD card reader, Ethernet and even some USB-A ports to make a good measure. It’s not exactly small, but if you need to use several ports at a time, there is no substitute.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

A port, many possibilities

While some of these features were previously possible with lightning iphones, the transition to USB-C has considerably widened the port’s capacities. You can now perform a wide range of desktop class tasks directly from your smartphone, thanks to attached accessories.

The best part may be that most of the USB-C accessories that you have used with your iPad or Mac should work with your iPhone 15 or 16-eliminating the need for Lightning-to-C-C-Cong. It remains to be seen if Apple will introduce new USB-C upgrades with the iPhone 17.