USB ports come in various colors, indicating that they serve different purposes. If you’ve plugged your phone into one of your computer’s USB ports and noticed that it was charging, you’ve encountered a USB port that remains powered. These ports keep supplying power to attached devices even when the computer itself is turned off, in sleep mode, or hibernating. The colors that denote USB ports that are always powered are red, yellow, and orange.
These ports offer additional functionalities but fundamentally enable you to charge your phone without needing to power on or wake your computer. In the case of a laptop, it effectively acts as a power bank, ensuring your phone stays charged when a portable charger isn’t available or when no USB outlets are in proximity. They’re also a practical solution for keeping wireless keyboards and mice energized and connected to a computer, allowing you to wake it up (you must enable this feature in settings).
If the concept of always-on USB ports appeals to you and you can’t find any of the aforementioned colors, search for one that features a battery or lightning symbol beside it. If a port bears that symbol, you can configure it to remain powered with some adjustments. Just remember that activating this function will draw power, so only do it when necessary.