Identify the ports on your Mac

If y'all're not sure which port to apply with your external display, difficult 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:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy information technology.
  2. Go to the Tech Specs page, click the Search Tech Specs bar, press Control-V to enter your estimator's serial number, and so click Search.
  3. Click the specs page for your Mac.

Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)

These Mac models have Thunderbolt four (USB-C) ports:

  • MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
  • MacBook Pro (xvi-inch, 2021)

You can connect external displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt 4  cablevision, Thunderbolt 3 cable, or USB-C cable. You tin also connect a USB-C charge cable to accuse your notebook, or a USB-C to Lightning cable to accuse your iPhone or iPad. If you have a device that doesn't connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect information technology.

Thunderbolt / USB 4

These Mac models have Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports:

  • iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
  • Mac mini (M1, 2020)

Yous can connect a single external display and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3 cable or USB-C cable. You lot can also connect a USB-C charge cable to accuse your notebook, or a USB-C to Lightning cablevision to charge your iPhone or iPad. If y'all have a device that doesn't connect to this port, you tin can use an adapter to connect it.

2021 iMac rear with ports enlarged

On iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), the  symbol appears higher up each Thunderbolt / USB 4 port. To connect a brandish, utilise either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol.

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.five-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 (thirteen-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt iii ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt three ports)
  • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Ii Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (fifteen-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (thirteen-inch, 2019, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (thirteen-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt iii ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt three ports)
  • MacBook Pro (fifteen-inch, 2016)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Iv Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Ii Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3  cable or USB-C cable. You lot can also connect a USB-C power adapter and cable to charge your notebook reckoner. If you have a device that doesn't connect to this port, you can utilise an adapter to connect it.


If your Mac notebook or desktop estimator has more than ane port like this, each port supports Thunderbolt three and USB-C.

USB three

These Mac models take USB 3 ports:

  • iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021) with 4 ports
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early on 2015)

On MacBook, employ this port with displays and other devices that connect using a USB-C cable. Yous can also connect a USB-C power adapter and cablevision to charge your notebook computer. If y'all have a device that doesn't connect to this port, y'all can apply an adapter to connect it.

On iMac (four-port model but), utilize the USB 3 ports with external devices that connect using a USB-C cable. To connect an external display, utilise either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol.

HDMI

These Mac models have an HDMI port:

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2021
  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 through 2015
  • Mac mini introduced in 2010 or afterward
  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

Utilise HDMI with displays and TVs that connect using an HDMI cable.

SD card

These Mac models have an SDXC card slot:

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2021
  • MacBook Pro 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 after

Utilize the SD card slot with SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, and UHS-2 media cards, such every bit those used by digital cameras.

Ethernet

Use Ethernet with networks and devices that connect using an Ethernet (RJ45) cable.

On some iMac models, the Ethernet port is located on the computer's ability adapter. If your power adapter doesn't accept an Ethernet port, y'all can use an Ethernet adapter.

Power

Use thepower port on your Mac notebook to connect your computer to Air-conditioning power using a USB-C to MagSafe iii cable and USB-C power adapter, MagSafe 2 power adapter, or MagSafe power adapter. Some Mac notebooks take a dedicated charging port while others use merely USB-C ports to charge.

Learn more about Mac power adapters.

MagSafe 2 and MagSafe power adapters are not compatible with MagSafe 3.

Audio

Employ Audio-Out — or — with headphones, speakers, and other audio-output devices that connect using an audio cable that has a 3.five mm (1/8 inch) sound jack. On fourteen-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon, yous tin connect loftier-impedance headphones to the 3.5mm audio jack.

Use Audio-In with a microphone or other audio-input device that connects using an sound cablevision that has a 3.v mm (1/8 inch) audio jack.

USB-A

Utilise these ports with devices that connect using a USB-A cablevision. USB ports are sometimes known by the USB specification of the port, such as USB ii or USB 3.


Left to right: power, two Thunderbolt, USB-A, and Sound-Out.

Thunderbolt

These Mac models take 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 cablevision.

Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are non the same as Mini DisplayPort . They have the same shape, merely use different symbols on the cable and port. Still, this port does support Mini DisplayPort for video output, so yous can use a Mini DisplayPort cablevision to connect a Mini DisplayPort display.

Mini DisplayPort

These Mac models have Mini DisplayPort:

  • MacBook Pro introduced in belatedly 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 cable.

Mini DisplayPort is not the same as Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2. They have the same shape, only use different symbols on the cable and port.

FireWire

Use FireWire with devices that connect using a FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 cable.

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