Apple gadgets include a spread of ports into which you plug equipment, chargers, and different exterior gadgets. However, with expertise continuously altering and bringing new {hardware} options to outdated issues, how will you sustain with the present openings in your Apple gadgets?
From HDMI to USB-C and every part in-between, right here’s our fast reference information. The primary part lists the ports on every main Apple machine. The second part explains what every port does and what it’s used for.
iPhone ports
In 2023, Apple launched the iPhone 15 lineup that changed the Lightning port with USB-C. Going ahead, USB-C would be the port in all new iPhones. Right here is the port configuration for the iPhones Apple at present sells:
| Mannequin | USB-C | Lightning | MagSafe |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max | • (USB 3) | • | |
| iPhone 15 | • (USB 2) | • | |
| iPhone 14 | • | • | |
| iPhone 13 | • | • | |
| iPhone SE | • |
MacBook ports
Apple at present gives two totally different MacBook fashions, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Professional. Apple gives totally different port configurations for every mannequin and measurement. Right here’s a have a look at what every laptop computer has:
| Mannequin | Thunderbolt/USB 4 | MagSafe 3 | SDXC | HDMI 2.1 | 3.5mm headphone jack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13″ MacBook Air | 2 | • | • | ||
| 15″ MacBook Air | 2 | • | • | ||
| 14″ MacBook Professional | 2 | • | • | • | • |
| 16″ MacBook Professional | 3 | • | • | • | • |
Desktop Mac ports
Apple at present gives 4 desktop Mac fashions: the Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Professional. Listed below are the ports for every mannequin:
| Mannequin | Thunderbolt/ USB 4 |
USB 3 | USB-A | Ethernet | HDMI | SDXC | 3.5mm headphone jack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 Mac mini | 2 | 2 | • | • (v2.0) | • | ||
| M2 Professional Mac mini | 4 | 2 | • | • (v2.1) | • | ||
| iMac (8-core GPU) | 2 | • | |||||
| iMac (10-core GPU) | 2 | 2 | • | • | |||
| M2 Max Mac Studio | 4 | 2 | 2 | • (10 Gb) | • (v2.1) | • | • |
| M2 Extremely Mac Studio | 6 | 2 | • (10 Gb) | • (v2.1) | • | • | |
| Mac Professional* | 8 | 2 | 2 (10 Gb) | 2 (v2.1) | • |
Mac enter gadgets
Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse have Lightning connectors. They do embody Lightning to USB-C cables for pairing and charging every machine. Since Apple is phasing out Lighting with the iPhone and has phased it out within the iPad, it’s anticipated that these inout gadgets will ultimately sport USB-C, however Apple is in no rush to take action–they don’t must be up to date to adjust to the European Union’s Radio Gear Directive.
iPad ports
Apple had used Lightning connectors with its iPads, but it surely began utilizing USB-C within the iPad Professional, which was ultimately changed with Thunderbolt/USB 4. USB-C additionally changed Lightning within the non-pro iPads. Right here is the port configuration for the iPads Apple at present sells.
| Mannequin | Thunderbolt/USB 4 | USB-C | Sensible Connector |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Professional | • | • | |
| iPad Air | • | • | |
| iPad (tenth gen) | • | • | |
| iPad (ninth gen) | • | ||
| iPad mini | • |
Apple Watch ports
When the Apple Watch (no matter mannequin) must make a connection, it does so wirelessly, counting on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It doesn’t have any knowledge ports, but it surely does make a magnetic induction connection when connected to a charger. (Apple doesn’t seek advice from Apple Watch’s charger as a MagSafe charger.)
For the pedantic, Apple Watch does have connectors on the high and backside for watch bands. These don’t switch knowledge in any respect.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional ports
Apple doesn’t count on customers to attach the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional to something, so it doesn’t have built-in knowledge ports. It depends on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity.
Nonetheless, Apple does have what it calls a Developer Strap that replaces the suitable audio strap on the Imaginative and prescient Professional. The Developer Strap has a USB-C connector that builders use to connect the Imaginative and prescient Professional to a Mac. The $300 machine isn’t meant to be offered to most people.
The Imaginative and prescient Professional does have a charging port. The exterior battery has a USB-C port for charging.
AirPods ports
The AirPods reside has a mixture of Lightning and USB-C connectors. Lightning is on its method out and ultimately will now not be provided, however for now, it’s nonetheless out there on a number of gadgets. Listed below are the ports out there on the totally different AirPods Apple at present sells:
| Mannequin | USB-C | Lightning | MagSafe |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods (2nd gen) | • | ||
| $169 AirPods (third gen) | • | ||
| $179 AirPods (third gen) | • | ||
| AirPods Professional (2nd gen) | • | • | |
| AirPods Max | • |
Apple TV 4K ports
Apple TV 4K is accessible with or with out an ethernet port. An ethernet connection offers higher, extra dependable efficiency than Wi-Fi, however it’s important to run an ethernet cable from the machine to your property’s router.
| Mannequin | HDMI 2.1 | Ethernet |
|---|---|---|
| $129 Apple TV 4K | • | |
| $149 Apple TV 4K | • | • |
HomePod and HomePod mini ports
The HomePod and HomePod mini depend on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity. They don’t have any knowledge ports.
Thunderbolt/USB 4 FAQ
What does Thunderbolt/USB 4 appear like? The Thunderbolt/USB 4 port is an oblong oval. For those who look inside a tool port, you’ll see a skinny line straight throughout the middle–that’s a male connector inside the port. For those who look inside a Thunderbolt/USB 4 cable connector, you gained’t discover that skinny line, which means it’s a feminine connector.
Some Apple gadgets have each Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and USB-C ports (see the subsequent part under). On sure machines, Apple identifies the Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports with a Thunderbolt icon atop the port.
The MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports on one facet.
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What does Thunderbolt/USB 4 do? The Thunderbolt/USB 4 port is a bit more difficult than most. The explanation for the twin title is that the port takes on the bodily properties of USB-C, however the entire thing is powered by Thunderbolt 4 expertise. Study extra about Thunderbolt and USB 4.
Apple makes use of Thunderbolt/USB 4 as its high-performance port; it gives quick 40Gbps knowledge charges. The USB-C ports that Apple additionally use implement the USB 3.1 protocol that tops out at 10Gbps. It’s additionally able to sending electrical energy on the similar time, so it may energy or cost a linked machine.
What can I connect with Thunderbolt/USB 4? As with all earlier USB ports, Thunderbolt/USB 4 is a one-stop store for connecting all peripherals, equipment, docks, hubs, and anything you wish to connect with your Apple machine. You’ll be able to join Thunderbolt or USB-C gadgets to the port. It additionally helps shows, however you’ll have to verify with every Mac’s specs to see what the boundaries are. When you have a peripheral that has a special connector, you could possibly use a USB-C adapter.
USB-C FAQ
What does USB-C appear like? A USB-C port/connector seems to be precisely like a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port. If an Apple machine has each Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and USB-C ports, the USB-C ports are those with out a Thunderbolt icon.
On an iMac with 4 ports, the 2 on the left with out the icon labels are USB-C ports. The opposite two ports are Thunderbolt/USB 4 and have Thunderolt icons.
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What does USB-C do? Apple’s implementation of USB-C depends on the USB 3.1 protocol, which assist knowledge charges of 10Gbps. It’s not as quick as Thunderbolt/USB 4, but it surely’s cheaper for Apple to make use of, so it’s in gadgets that don’t want high-speed knowledge charges (like AirPods) or gadgets which can be at Apple’s shopper worth degree. It’s additionally able to sending electrical energy on the similar time, so it may energy or cost a linked machine.
What can I connect with USB-C? USB-C is for connecting all peripherals, equipment, hubs, docks, and anything you wish to connect with your Apple machine. It additionally helps shows, however you’ll have to verify with every Apple machine’s specs to see what the boundaries are. When you have a peripheral that has a special connector, you could possibly use a USB-C adapter. Since Thunderbolt and USB-C use the identical connector, you is likely to be questioning for those who can join a Thunderbolt machine to USB-C on an Apple machine. A tool implements Thunderbolt to make the most of the quicker knowledge charge–a charge that USB-C doesn’t match. So, you’ll be able to join a Thunderbolt machine to a Mac’s USB-C port, however it could not work correctly or in any respect.
USB-A FAQ
What does USB-A appear like? The USB-A slot is rectangular, with smaller plastic rectangles taking over one half of the house inside. You’ll discover it solely on the Mac mini and Mac Studio in Apple present Mac lineup.
What does USB-A do? The Common Serial Bus has been round because the late Nineteen Nineties to standardize how peripherals linked to varied computer systems. The USB-A kind port was used for a few years, so it’s usually the port you discover on USB gadgets.
The Mac mini has two USB-A ports on the suitable facet of its rear panel.
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The USB-A ports on the Mac mini and Mac Studio implement the USB 3.1 Gen 2 protocol, which has knowledge charges of 10Gbps. It’s slower than the Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports discovered on most Macs,
What can I connect with USB-A? The little rectangular ports can be utilized with exterior keyboards, disk drives, thumb drives, microphones, desk lights, and a mess of different peripherals. It might probably even join an iPhone or iPad if in case you have the right cable. USB-A will also be used to cost or energy gadgets.
MagSafe FAQ
What does MagSafe appear like? On a MacBook, it’s a skinny oval with a black sliver within the middle with 5 steel contacts. On an iPhone, you’ll be able to’t see it, but it surely’s beneath the again panel.
What does MagSafe do? It’s used for charging. On MacBooks, it’s a magnetic connector that can break free if it’s yanked with a good quantity of effort. It’s a helpful connector to make use of for those who’re charging whereas utilizing the MacBook in a distant location–if somebody journeys over the cable, the connector breaks away and saves the laptop computer from falling off a desk or your lap. (On MacBooks, Apple refers it’s as “MagSafe 3.”)
The MagSafe 3 connector on the 16-inch MacBook Professional is subsequent to 2 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports.
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On iPhones, it’s additionally a magnetic connector, but it surely’s a hoop on the again–you’ll be able to’t see it as a result of it’s beneath the panel. An iPhone MagSafe charger seems to be nothing like a MacBook MagSafe charger; the iPhone model can take many shapes but it surely’s usually a round disc. (On iPhones, Apple refers to it as “MagSafe.”) On many circumstances for MagSafe iPhones, there’s ring on the again to indicate the place a MagSafe connector ought to connect.
Lightning FAQ
What does the Lightning port appear like It’s a small rectangular oval port that appears lots like a smaller USB-C or Thunderbolt/USB 4 port. Lighting is a feminine connector, so it doesn’t have a line on the middle. A male Lightning connector has 4 steel contacts on all sides.
What does the Lightning port do? When Apple launched the iPhone 5 and the 4th-generation iPad, it changed the 30-pin connector that had featured on all of the earlier fashions with Lightning expertise. In addition to being a lot smaller (and thus permitting extra room for expertise contained in the gadgets) Lightning was absolutely digital and may very well be inserted both method up.
The Lightning port is primarily employed for charging gadgets however may carry knowledge to and from linked Macs or PCs. Lightning will also be used to attach wired headphones; Apple provided Lightning earphones, or a Lightning to three.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter can be utilized.
Lighting remains to be utilized in Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse.
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What can I connect with Lightning? Older iPhones and iPads use Lightning. Apple’s Mac enter gadgets nonetheless use Lightning, as do some fashions of the AirPods. Apple is phasing out Lightning in favor of USB-C, so it gained’t be on new Apple gadgets.
HDMI FAQ
What does the HDMI port appear like? The HDMI port is a protracted rectangle with the 2 decrease corners minimize off. Inside there’s a skinny line throughout the middle, which is a male connector. HDMI cables have feminine connectors and thus lack the middle connector.
What does HDMI do? Excessive-Definition Multimedia Interface lets you ship high-definition video and audio out of your Mac to an exterior show. This show generally is a desktop Mac’s foremost show or a second show on a MacBook Professional.
What can I connect with HDMI? Any show, projector, or TV that provides HDMI. The resolutions your show can run relies on the protocol the HDMI port is utilizing. The M2 Mac mini’s HDMI port is operating model 2.0 of the HDMI protocol, so its most show decision and refresh charge is 4K at 60Hz. The opposite Macs with HDMI use model 2.1, which assist a most of 8K decision at 60Hz or 4K decision at 240Hz.
THe HDMI port on a MacBook Professional is the port closest to the hinge.
Thiago Trevisan
Ethernet FAQ
What does the ethernet port appear like? The ethernet port is a sq. with two rectangles within the high left and proper hand corners, and a grill-like rectangle alongside the underside.
What does the ethernet port do? An ethernet port lets you plug straight right into a router, utilizing an RJ-45 cable, to get the very best sign to your web connection. It may be quicker and extra dependable than Wi-Fi.
When you have a Mac with each ethernet and Wi-Fi, you should utilize solely one after the other to connect with a community.
What Apple gadgets have ethernet? The Mac mini and high-end iMac have gigabit ethernet ports, whereas a quicker 10Gb ethernet port is an choice on the Mac mini, and customary on the Mac Studio and Mac Professional. On the Apple silicon iMacs, the ethernet port is constructed into the charger because the machine itself is simply too skinny to assist it.
In order for you ethernet on an iMac, it’s important to get the ability adapter with an ethernet port.
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SDXC FAQ
What does the SDXC slot appear like? The SDXC slot is a skinny rectangular opening, about an inch lengthy.
What does the SDXC slot do? SD playing cards are a type of storage often related to digital cameras. You’ll be able to take an SD card from a tool and insert it into the Mac’s SDXC slot, and it’ll learn the cardboard as an exterior storage machine.
What forms of SD Playing cards can the SXDC slot learn? The SDXC slot will settle for any sort of SD card, apart from the Micro SD playing cards you would possibly discover in some digicam, recording gadgets, or Android telephones. For this you’ll want an adapter.
3.5mm headphone jack FAQ
What does the three.5mm headphone jack appear like? A small round port discovered on the perimeters of MacBooks and the iMac, and the again of the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Professional.
What does the three.5mm headphone jack do? This aperture lets you plug in wired headphones or earbuds once you wish to escape the noise and distraction of the world at massive.
The jack in Apple present Mac lineup helps high-impedance headphones, which are sometimes utilized in audio manufacturing or audiophiles. The jack can be utilized with typical consumer-level wired headphones.
Though it’s known as a headphone jack, it may be used with audio system with a 3.5mm wired plug.
