# USB Mini-AB receptacle > a deprecated compact USB receptacle, carrying only USB 1–2 and power, which accepts both Mini‑A and Mini‑B plugs, replaced by the USB 2 Micro‑AB receptacle, itself later replaced by the USB 2 Type‑C receptacle **Wikidata**: [Q102144176](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102144176) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-mini-ab-receptacle ## Summary The USB Mini-AB receptacle is a deprecated compact USB connector designed to accept both Mini-A and Mini-B plugs. It is capable of carrying only USB 1–2 data signals and power, utilizing a 5-pin configuration that includes an ID pin for USB On-The-Go support. This receptacle was eventually replaced by the USB 2 Micro-AB receptacle and later the USB 2 Type-C receptacle. ## Key Facts * **Classification:** It is an instance of a Mini-USB, a USB 2 legacy connector, a USB Mini receptacle, and a USB 2 Type-AB receptacle. * **Compatibility:** The receptacle is designed to connect with both USB Mini-A plugs and USB Mini-B plugs. * **Succession:** It was replaced by the USB 2 Micro-AB receptacle. * **Pinout:** Features 5 pins arranged as 1: VBUS (Red), 2: D− (White), 3: D+ (Green), 4: ID (USB On-The-Go), 5: GND (Black). * **Status:** The connector is officially deprecated. * **Technical Capabilities:** Carries USB 1–2 data and power; it does not support newer USB 3.x speeds. * **Components:** The interface includes 10 leads. * **Aliases:** Also known as the USB Mini-AB connector, Mini-USB Type-AB receptacle, or Mini-USB Type-AB connector. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the difference between a Mini-AB receptacle and standard Mini-A or Mini-B receptacles? A: While standard Mini-A and Mini-B receptacles accept only their specific corresponding plugs, the Mini-AB receptacle is designed to accept both Mini-A and Mini-B plugs. ### Q: What is the function of the ID pin in the USB Mini-AB receptacle? A: The ID pin (Pin 4) is used to identify the device type for USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, allowing the device to act as either a host or a peripheral. ### Q: Is the USB Mini-AB receptacle still used in modern devices? A: No, it is a deprecated legacy connector. It was phased out in favor of the USB 2 Micro-AB receptacle, which was subsequently replaced by the USB 2 Type-C receptacle. ### Q: What data speeds does the USB Mini-AB receptacle support? A: This receptacle supports only USB 1 and USB 2 data standards. It cannot carry the higher data rates associated with USB 3.0 or later. ## Why It Matters The USB Mini-AB receptacle represents a critical transition point in the history of portable electronics and connectivity standards. Before the widespread adoption of Micro-USB and eventually the universal Type-C connector, the Mini-AB form factor addressed a specific need for compact, dual-role connectivity in early mobile and portable devices. Its primary significance lies in its implementation of the "AB" design, which allowed a single receptacle to interface with both "A" (typically host) and "B" (typically device) plugs. This versatility was essential for early USB On-The-Go (OTG) implementations, allowing devices like PDAs, early smartphones, and digital cameras to act as hosts for peripherals like keyboards or mass storage without requiring a full-sized standard-A port. Although it is now deprecated and classified strictly as a legacy component, the Mini-AB receptacle paved the way for the concept of a universal, compact connector that could handle power and data efficiently. Its eventual replacement by the Micro-AB and then Type-C connectors highlights the industry's continuous drive toward thinner, more durable, and reversible connection standards. The technical legacy of the Mini-AB, particularly its 5-pin layout including the ID pin, influenced the design of its immediate successor, the Micro-USB generation. ## Notable For * **Dual Compatibility:** Being a "Type-AB" receptacle capable of accepting both Mini-A and Mini-B plugs, a feature that distinguished it from single-type receptacles. * **On-The-Go Support:** Integrating a dedicated ID pin to facilitate USB On-The-Go (OTG) protocols in compact devices. * **Legacy Succession:** Serving as the direct predecessor to the USB 2 Micro-AB receptacle in the evolutionary chain of compact USB connectors. * **Strict USB 2 Limits:** Being defined as a connector that carries only USB 1–2 and power, marking it as distinct from later high-speed connectors. * **Deprecation:** Being one of the few USB form factors explicitly classified as deprecated in favor of newer standards. ## Body ### Technical Specifications The USB Mini-AB receptacle is a 5-pin connector. The official pinout configuration, defined by USB specification references, is structured as follows: * **Pin 1 (VBUS):** Red, 5V power supply. * **Pin 2 (D−):** White, Data minus. * **Pin 3 (D+):** Green, Data plus. * **Pin 4 (ID):** Used for USB On-The-Go identification. * **Pin 5 (GND):** Black, Ground. The component structure includes 10 leads. The receptacle is visually distinct in diagrams, often noted in technical illustrations showing front-view scale comparisons. ### Classification and Relationships The USB Mini-AB receptacle belongs to several structural classes: * **Mini-USB:** The class of early compact connectors. * **USB 2 Legacy Connector:** Connectors that carry only USB 1–2 and power. * **USB Mini Receptacle:** Receptacles that preceded Micro-USB. * **USB 2 Type-AB Receptacle:** Receptacles that accept both Type-A and Type-B plugs. It is distinct from the USB Mini-A receptacle, USB Mini-B receptacle, and the later USB Micro-AB receptacle. ### Historical Succession The USB Mini-AB receptacle is part of a clear lineage of USB connector evolution. It was directly replaced by the **USB 2 Micro-AB receptacle**, which offered a smaller form factor. Subsequently, the Micro-AB was replaced by the **USB 2 Type-C receptacle**, which serves as the modern standard for data and power delivery. The Mini-AB is currently deprecated and no longer recommended for new designs. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-31-legacy-cable-and-connector-revision-10) 2. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-release-24) 3. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-32-revision-11-june-2022) 4. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-connectors-and-cable-assemblies-compliance-document-rev-21b) 5. [Source](https://www.usb.org/document-library/universal-serial-bus-31-legacy-connectors-and-cable-assemblies-compliance-document)