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Micro-USB

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A standard type of USB connector, often found on phones and other small mobile devices, for connecting those devices to chargers, computers, TVs, cars, and more.

Older phones use it for charging the battery, and can also support one or more types of data connection via the same port.

See: USB

A newer connector called Type-C or USB-C replaced micro-USB starting in 2015. As of 2022, USB-C is dominant and very few new phones use micro-USB.

See: USB Type-C

A single micro-USB port can support many types of connections depending on the phone settings and the device at the other end of the cable.

"Mass storage mode", MTP, and PTP modes allow a computer to access files and media stored on the phone.

See: Mass Storage mode

See: PTP

Data tethering over USB allows a computer to use a phone to connect to the Internet.

Some phones support MHL or SlimPort, both of which turn a micro-USB port into a video connector.

See: MHL

See: SlimPort

Some phones also support OTG, which lets a phone connect directly to accessories such as keyboards and memory sticks.

See: USB OTG

There is also an older, larger connector called Mini-USB. It was replaced by micro-USB and effectively obsolete as of 2013.

See: Mini-USB

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