If you're not sure which port to use with your external display, hard drive, camera, printer, iPhone, iPad, or other device, the port shapes and symbols in this guide should help.
Information about these and other types of Mac ports is in the specifications for your Mac:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy it.
- Go to the Tech Specs page, click the Search Tech Specs bar, press Command-V to enter your computer's serial number, then click Search.
- Click the specs page for your Mac.
Thunderbolt 4 [USB-C]
These Mac models have Thunderbolt 4 [USB-C] ports:
- Mac Studio [2022]
- MacBook Pro [14-inch, 2021]
- MacBook Pro [16-inch, 2021]
You can connect external displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt 4
If you have a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, you can also connect a display or Thunderbolt device to the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the front of the computer.
Thunderbolt / USB 4
These Mac models have Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports:
- MacBook Air [M2, 2022]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, M2, 2022]
- iMac [24-inch, M1, 2021]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, M1, 2020]
- MacBook Air [M1, 2020]
- Mac mini [M1, 2020]
You can connect a single external display and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3
On iMac [24-inch, M1, 2021], the
Thunderbolt 3
These Mac models have Thunderbolt 3 ports:
- iMac [Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020]
- iMac [Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019]
- iMac [Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019]
- iMac [Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017]
- iMac [Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017]
- iMac [21.5-inch, 2017]
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro [2019]
- Mac Pro [Rack, 2019]
- Mac mini [2018]
- MacBook Air [Retina, 13-inch, 2020]
- MacBook Air [Retina, 13-inch, 2019]
- MacBook Air [Retina, 13-inch, 2018]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [16-inch, 2019]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [15-inch, 2019]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [15-inch, 2018]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [15-inch, 2017]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [15-inch, 2016]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports]
- MacBook Pro [13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports]
Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3
If your Mac notebook or desktop computer has more than one port like this, each port supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.
USB 3
These Mac models have USB 3 ports:
- Mac Studio [2022]
- iMac [24-inch, M1, 2021] with four ports
- MacBook [Retina, 12-inch, 2017]
- MacBook [Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016]
- MacBook [Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015]
On Mac Studio models with M1 Max, use the USB 3 ports on the front of the computer with external devices that connect using a USB-C cable. To connect an external display, use the ports on the back of the computer with the Thunderbolt symbol
On iMac [four-port model only], use the USB 3 ports with external devices that connect using a USB-C cable. To connect an external display, use either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol
On MacBook, use this port with displays and other devices that connect using a USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C power adapter and cable to charge your notebook computer. If you have a device that doesn't connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect it.
HDMI
These Mac models have an HDMI port:
- Mac Studio introduced in 2022
- 14-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021
- 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021
- 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015
- 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015
- Mac mini introduced in 2010 or later
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
Use HDMI with displays and TVs that connect using an HDMI cable.
SD card
These Mac models have an SDXC card slot:
- Mac Studio introduced in 2022
- 14-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021
- 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021
- 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2011 through 2015
- 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2011 through 2015
- Mac mini introduced in 2011 through 2014
- 13-inch MacBook Air models introduced in 2013 through 2017
- 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2010 or later
- 21.5-inch iMac models introduced in 2010 or later
Use the SD card slot with SD,
SDHC, SDXC, MMC, and UHS-II media cards, such as those used by digital cameras.
Ethernet
Use Ethernet
On some iMac models, the Ethernet port is located on the computer's power adapter. If your Mac or power adapter doesn't have an Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet adapter.
Power
Audio
Use Audio-Out —
Use Audio-In
USB-A
Use these ports with devices that connect using a USB-A
Left to right: power, two Thunderbolt, USB-A, and Audio-Out.
Thunderbolt
These Mac models have Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports:
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2011 through 2015
- MacBook Air introduced in 2011 through 2017
- Mac mini introduced in 2011 through 2014
- iMac introduced in 2011 through 2015
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013
Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort
These Mac models have Mini DisplayPort:
- MacBook Pro introduced in late 2008 through 2010
- MacBook Air introduced in late 2008 through 2010
- Mac mini introduced in 2009 and 2010
- iMac introduced in 2009 and 2010
- Mac Pro introduced in 2009 through 2012
Use this port with displays that connect using a Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort is not the same as Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2
FireWire
Use FireWire
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Published Date: July 22, 2022