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:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy it.

  2. 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.

  3. Click the specs page for your Mac.

Thunderbolt 4

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These Mac models have Thunderbolt 4 ports:

You can connect external displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt 4No alt supplied for Image cable, Thunderbolt 3No alt supplied for Image 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 adaptor to connect it.

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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

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These Mac models have Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports:

You can connect a single external display and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3Thunderbolt 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 adaptor to connect it.

2021 iMac rear with ports enlarged

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

Thunderbolt 3

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These Mac models have Thunderbolt 3 ports:

Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3No alt supplied for Image cable or USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C power adaptor and cable If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adaptor to connect it.

USB-C

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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 symbolThunderbolt 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 symbolThunderbolt 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 adaptor and cable If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adaptor to connect it.

HDMI

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These Mac models have an HDMI port:

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

SD card

These Mac models have an SDXC card slot:

Use the SD card slot with SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC and UHS-II media cards, such as those used by digital cameras.

Ethernet

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Use EthernetNo alt supplied for Image 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 adaptor. If your Mac or power adaptor doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet adaptor.

Power

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

Find out how to identify your Mac power adaptor and how to fast-charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

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

Audio

Use Audio-OutNo alt supplied for Image or Audio-OutNo alt supplied for Image with headphones, speakers and other audio-output devices that connect using an audio cable that has a 3.5mm audio jack. On compatible Mac computers, you can connect high-impedance headphones to the 3.5mm audio jack.

Use Audio-InNo alt supplied for Image with a microphone or other audio-input device that connects using an audio cable that has a 3.5mm audio jack.

USB-A

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

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

Thunderbolt

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These Mac models have Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports:

Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using a ThunderboltThunderboltcable.

Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPortMini DisplayPort. They are the same shape but have 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

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These Mac models have Mini DisplayPort:

  • MacBook Pro introduced between late 2008 and 2010

  • MacBook Air introduced between late 2008 and 2010

  • Mac mini introduced in 2009 and 2010

  • iMac introduced in 2009 and 2010

  • Mac Pro introduced between 2009 and 2012

Use this port with displays that connect using a Mini DisplayPortNo alt supplied for Image cable.

Mini DisplayPort is not the same as Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2No alt supplied for Image. They are the same shape but have different symbols on the cable and port.

FireWire

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FireWire 400

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FireWire 800

Use FireWire FireWireNo alt supplied for Image with devices that connect using a FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 cable.

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