Why do some USB connectors have those 2 square holes?

Those square holes on USB-A connectors serve an important purpose.

By Antony Terence Nov. 15, 2026 11:45 am EST patpitchaya/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

USB-C ports might be the de facto port today when it comes to charging and data transfer, but that wasn't always the case. Before consumers got the current reversible design, the original Universal Serial Bus, or USB, was designed in the late '90s by Intel, Microsoft, NEC (Nippon Electric Company), IBM, Compaq, DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and Nortel.