{"id":1828,"date":"2011-10-21T16:50:56","date_gmt":"2011-10-21T16:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/auxiliary-port\/"},"modified":"2024-08-29T16:50:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T16:50:28","slug":"auxiliary-port","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1356\/auxiliary-port-aux","title":{"rendered":"Auxiliary Port (AUX)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span id=\"what_is_an_auxiliary_port_aux\">What is an Auxiliary Port (AUX)?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An auxiliary port is a small, round connection socket that allows an electronic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2185\/device\">device<\/a> to send and receive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/784\/analog\">analog<\/a> audio signals over a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crutchfield.com\/S-HGVWPm6dvKc\/learn\/3.5-mm-audio-cables-and-adapters.html\" target=\"_blank\">3.5mm auxiliary cable<\/a>. An auxiliary port may also be referred to as a <i>headphone jack<\/i>, <i>speaker jack<\/i>, or <i>AUX port<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"What is an Auxiliary Port (Headphone Jack)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"809\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-304901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-1200x809.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack-1980x1335.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/What-is-an-Auxiliary-Port-Headphone-Jack.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#dddddd;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f7f7f7;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>An auxiliary port is a small round input\/output socket.<\/li>\n<li>Auxiliary ports are typically labeled AUX.<\/li>\n<li>Auxiliary ports are used to transfer analog audio signals.<\/li>\n<li>Most new digital devices don&#8217;t have auxiliary ports.<\/li>\n<li>Adapters with digital-to-analog converters (DACs) can be used to connect legacy devices that have auxiliary ports with newer devices that have USB-C ports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_an_auxiliary_port_aux\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_an_auxiliary_port_aux\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What is an Auxiliary Port (AUX)?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"importance_of_auxiliary_port\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"importance_of_auxiliary_port\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Importance of Auxiliary Port<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_history\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_history\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port History<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_are_aux_cables_used_for\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_are_aux_cables_used_for\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What are AUX Cables Used For?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_examples\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_examples\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Examples<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_pros_and_cons\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_pros_and_cons\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Pros and Cons<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_future\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_future\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Future<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"references\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_an_auxiliary_port_aux\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_an_auxiliary_port_aux\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What is an Auxiliary Port (AUX)?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"importance_of_auxiliary_port\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"importance_of_auxiliary_port\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Importance of Auxiliary Port<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_history\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_history\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port History<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_are_aux_cables_used_for\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_are_aux_cables_used_for\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What are AUX Cables Used For?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_examples\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_examples\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Examples<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_pros_and_cons\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_pros_and_cons\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Pros and Cons<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"auxiliary_port_future\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"auxiliary_port_future\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Auxiliary Port Future<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    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          \/\/ set everything outside the onscroll event (less work per scroll)\n            const target = document.querySelector(\".toc-sticky\");\n            const targetListStatic = document.querySelector(\".toc-sticky-list\");\n\n            if (!target || !header) return;\n\n            const headerHeight = header.getBoundingClientRect().height;\n            const targetHeight = targetListStatic.getBoundingClientRect().height;\n\n            \/\/ -headerHeight so it won't be jumpy\n            const stop = targetListStatic.offsetTop + headerHeight + targetHeight;\n            const docBody =\n                document.documentElement || document.body.parentNode || document.body;\n            const hasOffset = window.pageYOffset !== undefined;\n\n            const applySticky = function () {\n                \/\/ cross-browser compatible scrollTop.\n                const scrollTop = hasOffset ? window.pageYOffset : docBody.scrollTop;\n\n                \/\/ if user scrolls to headerHeight from the top of the target div\n                if (scrollTop >= stop) {\n                    pageLegendCollapse.hide();\n                    \/\/ stick the div\n                    target.classList.add(\"sticky\");\n                    \/\/target.style.marginTop = `${headerHeight}px`;\n                } else {\n                    pageLegendCollapse.show();\n                    \/\/ release the div\n                    target.classList.remove(\"sticky\");\n                    target.style.marginTop = \"\";\n                }\n            }\n\n            applySticky();\n\n            window.addEventListener('scroll', applySticky);\n        })(header, pageLegendCollapse);\n\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').click(function(){\n\t\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').hide();\n\t   jQuery('.ms_hidetoc').show();\n\t});\n    });\n\n    \/\/ When the user clicks on the button, scroll to the top of the document\n    function btnTop() {\n        const pageLegend = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse1');\n        document.querySelector('html').classList.remove('overflow-hidden');\n        pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"importance_of_auxiliary_port\">Importance of Auxiliary Port<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Auxiliary ports were once a standard feature on most electronic devices that had audio output or input capabilities. They provided end users with a simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3413\/plug-and-play-pnp\">plug and play<\/a> (PnP) interface to connect an analog playback device with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/7551\/headphones\">headphones<\/a>, headsets, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/audio\/best-computer-speakers\">speakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-300x239.jpg\" alt=\"How SFTP Works\" width=\"1200\" height=\"956\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-304912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-1024x816.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-1536x1224.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-1200x956.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works-1980x1578.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/How-SFTP-Works.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"auxiliary_port_history\">Auxiliary Port History<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Auxiliary ports were first introduced on transistor radios in the 1960s and began to gain widespread adoption with the rise of portable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/6341\/cassette\">cassette<\/a> players in the 1970s and 1980s.<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4618\/personal-computer-pc\">personal computing<\/a> became more ubiquitous after the turn of the century, AUX jacks became a standard feature for connecting desktop <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4607\/computer\">computers<\/a> to speakers and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/903\/mpeg-1-audio-layer-3-mp3\">MP3<\/a> players to headphones or car stereo systems.<\/p>\n<p>By the mid-2000s, USB 2.0 enabled the transfer of both data and power over the same cable, and advancements in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26302\/audio-codec\">audio compression algorithms<\/a> made it easy to transfer digital audio files without sacrificing sound quality.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, vendors became less interested in analog audio, and auxiliary ports began to be phased out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"b9ef9a15-67e0-4bd2-b6de-53a8e6cdee26\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Auxiliary Port History\"><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"what_are_aux_cables_used_for\">What are AUX Cables Used For?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>AUX cables are used to transmit analog audio signals over cables that have 3.5mm connectors on both ends. The user simply has to plug one end of the cable into the audio source&#8217;s AUX port and the other end into the playback device&#8217;s AUX port. Once connected, the source can immediately be heard through the playback device.<\/p>\n<p>While auxiliary ports are increasingly being phased out, AUX cables with built-in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/25285\/digital-to-analog-converter-dac\">digital-to-analog converters<\/a> (DACs) allow users to connect legacy devices that use electrical signals to transmit audio with newer playback devices that use USB-C to transmit audio digitally.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"auxiliary_port_examples\">Auxiliary Port Examples<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Examples of auxiliary ports include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Headphone jacks on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/244\/ipod\">iPods<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Audio input connections on car stereos from the 1970s.<\/li>\n<li>3.5mm jacks on 8-track players.<\/li>\n<li>Headphone jacks on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmd.com\/en_int\/nokia-3310?sku=A00028228\" target=\"_blank\">Nokia 3310<\/a> retro-style <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/burner-phone-prepaid-phone\">burner phones<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to note that over the last 15 years, analog auxiliary ports have gradually been replaced by digital <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/25899\/usb-connector\">USB-C<\/a> ports and wireless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26198\/bluetooth\">Bluetooth<\/a> connections. This change is primarily due to improvements in wireless audio and the need for more versatile connectivity options that support <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/18715\/data-transfer\">data transfer<\/a>, charging, and high-quality audio over the same cable.<\/p>\n<p>While the auxiliary port isn&#8217;t entirely obsolete, its future in mainstream consumer electronics is declining and it&#8217;s likely that its inclusion in new devices will have more to do with nostalgia and cost-savings rather than sound quality.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"auxiliary_port_pros_and_cons\">Auxiliary Port Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Like any technology, auxiliary ports have had their advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<strong>Pros<\/strong><br \/>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Uses a simple plug-and-play connection; no setup is needed<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Doesn&#8217;t require external power or batteries<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> 3.5mm cables are inexpensive and widely available<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> DAC adapters can be used to connect older devices that have auxiliary ports with newer devices that have USB-C ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2 pros_icons_\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<strong>Cons<\/strong><br \/>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Industry trends are leaning more toward wireless devices<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Newer devices are not likely to have an AUX port<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Cables with built-in DAC adapters tend to be more expensive than standard 3.5mm cables<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Physical cables can wear out or get damaged over time and degrade sound quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"auxiliary_port_future\">Auxiliary Port Future<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The convenience and versatility of wireless and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/604\/digital-definition\">digital<\/a> alternatives, coupled with design and market trends, point towards the continued decline of wired analog audio.<\/p>\n<p>While auxiliary ports are likely to remain in certain niche markets, the overall trend suggests that AUX ports will continue to become increasingly rare in mainstream <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/757\/consumer-electronics-ce\">consumer electronics<\/a> (CE) as vendors continue to prioritize USB-C ports and wireless connectivity.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Understanding that auxiliary port&#8217;s definition refers to the transmission of <a href=\"https:\/\/reverb.com\/news\/how-does-analog-audio-work-basic-pro-audio-concepts\" target=\"_blank\">analog audio signals <\/a>can help give this type of input\/output port the historical perspective it deserves.<\/p>\n<p>While the auxiliary port&#8217;s history is closely tied to the development of consumer electronics, its phasing out in favor of USB-C ports and Bluetooth highlights a general shift in technology from analog to digital technology and wired to wireless transmissions.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is an auxiliary port in simple terms?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">The meaning of auxiliary port in simple terms is an input\/output jack on an electronic device that allows analog audio signals to be transmitted over a 3.5mm cable.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is an AUX port used for?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">An auxiliary port is used to connect external legacy audio devices, such as cassette players or MP3 players, to speakers or headphones.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What does an AUX port look like?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">An auxiliary port looks like a small, round hole that is 3.5mm in diameter.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the difference between a USB port and an AUX port?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A USB port can transfer digital data and power over the same USB cable. An auxiliary port can only transmit analog audio signals.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<div class=\"reference-content\">\n<div class=\"reference-heading reference-content-collapsible-heading\">\n<h2><span id=\"references\">References<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"reference-content-body\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crutchfield.com\/S-HGVWPm6dvKc\/learn\/3.5-mm-audio-cables-and-adapters.html\" target=\"_blank\">How to choose 3.5mm audio cables and adapters<\/a> (Crutchfield)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmd.com\/en_int\/nokia-3310?sku=A00028228\" target=\"_blank\">Nokia 3310 &#8211; The icon is back!<\/a> (Hmd)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reverb.com\/news\/how-does-analog-audio-work-basic-pro-audio-concepts\" target=\"_blank\">How does analog audio work? | Basic Pro Audio Concepts | Reverb News<\/a> (Reverb)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is an Auxiliary Port (AUX)? An auxiliary port is a small, round connection socket that allows an electronic device to send and receive analog audio signals over a 3.5mm auxiliary cable. An auxiliary port may also be referred to as a headphone jack, speaker jack, or AUX port. Importance of Auxiliary Port Auxiliary ports [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7813,"featured_media":304911,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"definitioncat":[217],"class_list":["post-1828","definition","type-definition","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","definitioncat-hardware"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is an Auxiliary Port (Headphone Jack)? 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