Should You Disable USB Use With Your Laptops and Mobile Devices

Apple phones have recently switched from the standard USB to USB-C, a lightning cable that transfers data faster. The switch came with some criticism from consumers since the USB plug has been the universally accepted way to connect to your devices. It has also sparked the debate on whether we should all be switching from USB to something more modern.

The USB was released in 1996 and over the last few decades has become the universal tether for the way we backup, transfer, and store data. Take a look at nearly any computer, and you’ll likely find a USB port somewhere on the device. But has it become dated or obsolete? In short, no. This is still the most popular way to connect to our computers, and it is the most common plug adapter for charging. To disable the use of USBs at this point would be premature.

USB-C or any other replacement to the USB isn’t used widely enough to warrant the special port on most devices, and while that may change in the future thanks to Apple making the switch, for most users it isn’t necessary.

The USB has lasted for over three decades for a reason, it’s widely used, and it’s simple to work. Think of all the data we have stored on flash drives and how easy it is to transfer our files from our phones and tablets. And let’s not forget that we often use the USB port to charge our devices not by outlet, but by plugging our phones directly into our computers. To disable use of the USB would make many of our devices unusable.

There are workarounds if you insist on disabling the USB, such as using a cloud-based storage system to store and transfer files, but charging would still be an issue.

My best advice would be to wait until the successor to the USB proves itself, and gains enough momentum to make the switch justifiable. Then you could backup all your data on a compatible device and not have to worry about it for (hopefully) another three decades.

If you are on the opposite end of the spectrum and want to remain with the standard USB, it is likely that the USB-C will spur the creation of an adapter that can convert the USB-C to a USB.

Technology is always evolving and to say what will be obsolete from one year to the next is hard to determine. Only time can tell what technology is steadfast.