The term “AUX” input or output appears again and again when connecting technical devices. What is it and what can you connect to it?

The term “AUX input” is based on the English word “auxiliary” (German: “helping”). It refers to an input on devices from which sounds such as music are played. This input is part of amplifiers, audio radios and various other devices for processing audio signals. The AUX connection is used to connect a playback device to a playback device.

AUX input – which devices can I connect?

You use the connection, for example, if you want to stream music from Spotify via a smartphone, but don’t want to hear the sound via the cell phone speaker, but rather a stereo system. The headphone jack on the smartphone is connected to the “AUX” input on the hi-fi system via a cable.

An AUX input is found in many audio amplifiers, mixers and radio devices such as car radios. The device, which has the AUX input, is intended to enable higher volume and better sound quality of the audio signal. These can include PCs, cell phones, DVD players, CD players and radios. These sources must have one analog audio output own. Often this is either a very small one Mini jack or RCA output.

Which cable do I need?

In order to be able to connect the devices mentioned via AUX input and output, you need the right cable. Both the input and the output are usually available as “mini-jack” or “cinch” variants. A mini jack socket is very small and is still found on many cell phones today as both a headphone and a headphone jack AUX output. The RCA version consists of two sockets, often one is red and the other is white. You can often find these in audio amplifiers and DVD players, among other things. Click on the following buttons to see common cable variants. These can also give you information about which sockets your devices have. The following cables are available for less than 10 euros.

Modern smartphones now mostly do without an “AUX” output. To listen to music via cable with another device you need an additional adapterwhich can be connected to the charging socket of the smartphone. The 3.5 mm jack connection for the corresponding cable is located there. There are also adapters for the AUX connection on the car radio. You can use this to connect devices via Bluetooth, for example to listen to Spotify in the car.