Identify the ports on your Mac

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

These Mac models have Thunderbolt 4 ports:

14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, M2 Pro, M3 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Max, or M3 Max introduced in 2021 or later
16-inch MacBook Pro introduced in 2021 or later
Mac mini introduced in 2023
Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later
Mac Pro introduced in 2023

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

If you have a Mac Studio with M1 or M2 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:

14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 introduced in 2023 or later
iMac introduced in 2021 or later
MacBook Air introduced in 2020 or later
13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 or M2 introduced in 2020 or later

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

2021 iMac rear with ports enlarged

On iMac (2021 or later), the symbol appears above each Thunderbolt / USB 4 port. To connect a display, use either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .

Thunderbolt 3

These Mac models have Thunderbolt 3 ports:

Intel-based MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 through 2020
Intel-based MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 through 2020
iMac introduced in 2017 through 2020
iMac Pro introduced in 2017
Mac mini introduced in 2018
Mac Pro introduced in 2019

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

USB-C

These Mac models have USB-C ports:

iMac with four ports introduced in 2021 or later
MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

On Mac Studio models with M1 or M2 Max, use the USB-C 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-C 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 laptop 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:

14-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later
16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later
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 Studio introduced in 2022 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:

14-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later
16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later
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
Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later
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 with networks and devices that connect using an Ethernet (RJ45) cable.

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

Use the power port on your Mac laptop to connect your computer to AC power using a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable and USB-C power adapter, MagSafe 2 power adapter, or MagSafe power adapter. Some Mac laptops have a dedicated charging port while others use only USB-C ports to charge.

Learn how to identify your Mac power adapter and how to fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

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

Audio

Use Audio-Out — or — with headphones, speakers, and other audio-output devices that connect using an audio cable that has a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) audio jack. On compatible Mac computers, you can connect high-impedance headphones to the 3.5mm audio jack.

Use Audio-In with a microphone or other audio-input device that connects using an audio cable that has a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) audio jack.

USB-A

Use these ports with devices that connect using a USB-A cable. USB ports are sometimes known by the USB specification of the port, such as USB 2 or USB 3.

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 cable.

Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort . They have the same shape, but use different symbols on the cable and port. However, this port does support Mini DisplayPort for video output, so you can use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect a Mini DisplayPort display.

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 cable.

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

FireWire

FireWire 400

FireWire 800

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

Learn more

Adapters for the Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port on your Mac

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Published Date: November 28, 2023