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With the advent of Bluetooth 6, the era of wired connections appears largely behind us. Bluetooth has been the standard for connecting peripherals on consoles since the Xbox 360 debuted in 2005. We have moved past the times when the PS3 came equipped with four USB ports and an extra three for various media. While USB-A ports on home consoles are gradually being replaced with superior alternatives, they can still be utilized on the Xbox today in surprising ways.

If you’ve engaged in gaming on consoles over the last few decades, you can likely think of several practical applications for a USB port. Wired third-party USB controllers were once standard, and modern controllers still support charging via a console’s USB port, along with the option of using that same cable for wired gameplay. It’s also likely that you’ve connected a headset to a USB port at least once.

As we move towards a fully wireless future for gaming accessories, what purpose does that USB port on your Xbox serve today? The truth is, there’s much you can accomplish with the USB port, and many accessories actually require connection to a USB port to operate. From external storage solutions to specialized controllers, there are numerous applications for that available USB port, some of which might even enhance your overall gaming experience.