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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Most TVs hide surprisingly handy USB ports on the back.
• Plugging into them can unlock extra features and convenience.
• They can even help breathe new life into an older TV.

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After the initial setup, most people rarely engage directly with their smart TV. With wireless connectivity, phone apps, and remote controls, there's little need to. Tucked next to the essential HDMI ports, a USB 2.0 port -- likely sitting unnoticed on the back or side panel -- offers more potential than you might expect.   

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USB ports are easy to overlook, but they're a standard feature on most TVs -- and more useful than you might think. Here are five clever ways to make the most of them.

1. Turn your TV into a slideshow or media player

Most new TV models come with a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and often a 3.0 port for faster data transfer. Your TV screen is likely bigger than your computer monitor, so why not use it to carousel a gallery of images or play videos?

I attended a family gathering recently, and the host used a 65-inch TV to do that very thing. The scanned pictures and videos looked and sounded great -- all accessed by simply plugging in a USB flash drive. 

Just about any type of external hard drive, thumb drive, or data stick will function as if you plugged it into a laptop. Your TV will immediately recognize a connected device and offer you a means for accessing and navigating your media files.

Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn't wait to do it)

If you want to program your TV to play a slideshow when idle, there's a major benefit to keeping a flash drive attached just for that purpose. That benefit? Your media will not be automatically transferred to the TV's cache or internal storage because it will read files directly from the flash drive. 

By keeping the files stored only on the drive, you won't need to spend time duplicating and uploading them to the TV. Moreover, your TV will thank you for performing better since you're not clogging up its cache.

2. Transform your TV into a workstation

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Ever find yourself with spreadsheets, documents, vector graphics, videos, and web pages crowding your computer monitor? That makes two of us.

The most common monitor size for creatives and professionals is 27 inches. Purchasing multiple high-quality monitors (or oversized 32-inch panels) can be extremely expensive. But if you're willing to sacrifice a bit of color accuracy and resolution for more real estate on, say, a 55-inch TV screen, you can employ a Bluetooth adapter to connect wireless peripherals like a mouse or keyboard.

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A larger display allows for more space to multitask, work on complex designs, and view your discombobulating number of open windows simultaneously. You'll need those peripheral tools to be connected by USB to get the work done.

3. Make your aging TV stream-worthy

The seven-year-old TCL TV in my bedroom requires a streaming device to access Prime Video, HBO Max, and other platforms. Many streaming devices, especially newer ones, require a connection to an A/C outlet for power. But some, such as earlier-generation Amazon Fire Sticks and Google Chromecasts, can be powered by the TV while making it smarter.

Also: 5 Chromecast TV features you're not taking advantage of (including this smart home trick)

All streaming devices connect directly to TVs via HDMI ports to function, but some can be powered by USB. My TCL, for example, has a Roku Streaming Stick attached by a short HDMI cable for data transfer and a short USB 2.0 cable for power. The streaming gadget that allows me to access the internet and watch Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone at night is not plugged into the wall at all. It is being fed by -- and feeding -- the TV all at once.

I should note that this is a less-than-ideal scenario because powering a device with its own CPU and quad-core processor can lead to issues like overheating, interruptions, and underperformance. But it does work.

4. Charge USB devices if you're in a pinch

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

In fact, you can charge just about any device through your TV's USB port with the appropriate cable. Have you ever had to charge your phone by plugging it into a USB port on your laptop? I've been there, too. You can do the same with your TV.

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The downside is that most TV USB ports are designed for data transfer and powering low-energy devices, so they don't pull a lot of juice. This means using a TV as a charging hub will be relatively slow, even for something like a console gaming controller. But again, if you're in a real bind, it's an option.

So try to remember that your TV's USB ports are back there for a reason. You might as well use them to access media, increase the utility of your TV, and supply power to external devices.

5. Bonus: Updating software

It doesn't sound as flashy as the other benefits on this list, but if your smart TV doesn't have internet or you're on a non-smart TV, it's critical that you keep the software updated via a USB upload. 

Also: Your TV's USB port has an underrated feature that can revitalize an old system for free

Manufacturers often introduce upgraded features and functionality, improved performance, and bug fixes with the occasional update, and you can download the latest software through dedicated support pages. Here's Samsung's, for example.

Search for your model or product name, download the latest software file onto your USB drive, and plug the drive into your TV to upload it. You may need to restart your TV when all is said and done.