These days, most smartphones have a USB-C port that you only use for one thing: charging. And while we’ve recently explained that the USB-C port on an iPhone, Galaxy, or Android can do a lot more than that, it can also power all sorts of wild gadgets. Here are five things you probably didn’t know you could plug into your phone’s USB port.
USB-Powered Bug Bite Healer
Did you know that applying gentle heat is the fastest and easiest way to reduce itching after a bug bite? By adding heat, up to around 124 degrees, you’ll reduce swelling and soothe those itchy insect bites. As someone who lives in Texas and deals with a ton of mosquitoes, I’ve used a bug bite burner for years.
And then I found a little gadget called the Heat It, a USB smartphone-powered insect bite healer. Seriously, you can plug this tiny dongle into your USB-C port, fire up the app, and apply enough heat to reduce a bug bite without burning or irritating your skin. Sure, it’ll sting for a moment, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. After a few seconds, the heat goes away, and the itching does, too.
This tiny Heat It dongle comes in USB-C or Lightning port variants and is small enough to put on a keychain, so it’s always ready when needed. Take it camping, or throw one in your emergency supply stash. You’ll be glad you did.
Power a Thermal Imaging Camera
While there are several unconventional things you can plug into a phone, one that many people don’t think about is a thermal imaging camera. Professionals and aspiring DIYers alike will appreciate this one. If you’re trying to mount a TV and want to run cables behind the wall, something like this TopDon USB-C thermal image camera can find electrical cables or other things to avoid while drilling.
You can use one to check the temperature on heater vents, see through a propane tank, check doorways for cold air leaks in the winter, and much more. Some models even have higher resolution or adjustable focus dials. Neat, right?
Digital Microscopes Over USB-C
Similarly, you can use the USB port on your phone to power things like a digital microscope, borescopes (endoscopes) for hard-to-reach places, and more. The popular accessory brand Plugable makes a 250x magnification USB-C digital microscope that you’ll have a ton of fun using. These are perfect for work, play, or a great way for kids to learn.
I have a flexible USB-C Endoscope camera with a built-in light that I can put into walls, behind a TV to check the ports, or use while working on my truck. It’ll even let me snap photos in hard-to-reach places. It’s more handy than you think.
Anti-Dust and Sand Plugs for the Beach or Vacation
While this next thing isn’t as wild as a thermal imaging camera, it’s something most people never think about but should. Consider these neat USB-C dust plugs the next time you’re headed to the beach on vacation, a water park, or anywhere else you might want to protect your phone. They’re a great way to keep your charging port free and clear of dust, dirt, lint, debris, and even water.
I have a few USB-C plugs on my MacBook to keep the ports clean while traveling in my backpack, and I used one on my phone at the beach this summer. Sand gets everywhere quickly, and this little gadget can stop it in its tracks. You can buy plugs for USB-C, Lightning, Micro-USB, and more.
Power a Mini Fan
How many times have you jumped on a plane or sat in a doctor’s waiting room and wished it were a bit cooler? Airplanes get hot on the runway, and some offices lack air conditioning. Luckily, you read this article and bought a little USB-powered mini fan. Sure, it’s a bit silly, but if you’ve ever been stuck on the runway in Las Vegas in the dead of summer, you know how much of a lifesaver a tiny little fan can be.
Many fans can recharge over USB-C, but this one gets power directly from your phone. They work great in a pinch, have an adjustable head, and come in some fun colors.
I wanted to keep this list short, but it’s also worth mentioning that you can buy little USB-C-powered speakers that plug right into your phone, portable monitors, game controllers, and more.
While slightly different, when I’ve been camping, I’ve used the USB-C port on my phone to power string lights, recharge a small flashlight, and power a USB Arc lighter to start a campfire. You can even turn your USB-C port into a magnetic charging port, so if someone trips on the cable, your phone won’t go flying.
Obviously, battery life will always be a concern, and you’ll have to decide how much juice you want to drain from your phone to run a controller, speakers, or something like an Endoscope or a bug bite healer.