orchard apple tree devices get with a compass of ports into which you plug accessories , chargers , and other outside gimmick . But , with applied science constantly convert and bringing new hardware solutions to old problems , how can you keep up with the current opening on your Apple equipment ?
From HDMI to USB - C and everything in - between , here ’s our speedy mention pathfinder . The first section lists the ports on each major Apple gimmick . The second section explain what each port does and what it ’s used for .
iPhone ports
In 2023 , Apple introduced the iPhone 15 lineup that replaced the Lightning port wine with USB - C. pass frontwards , USB - C will be the port in all raw iPhones . Here is the port configuration for the iPhones Apple currently sells :
MacBook ports
Apple presently offer two different MacBook models , the MacBook Air , and the MacBook Pro . Apple offer different porthole configurations for each model and size . Here ’s a look at what each laptop has :
Desktop Mac ports
Apple currently offers four background Mac models : the Mac mini , iMac , Mac Studio , and Mac Pro . Here are the ports for each model :
Mac input devices
Apple ’s Magic Keyboard , Magic Trackpad , and Magic Mouse have Lightning connectors . They do let in Lightning to USB - light speed cable system for pairing and charging each gadget . Since Apple is phasing out kindling with the iPhone and has phased it out in the iPad , it ’s expected that these inout devices will eventually sport USB - C , but Apple is in no haste to do so – they do n’t need to be updated to comply with the European Union’sRadio Equipment Directive .
iPad ports
Apple had used Lightning connectors with its iPads , but it started using USB - C in the iPad Pro , which was finally replaced with Thunderbolt / USB 4 . USB - C also replaced Lightning in the non - pro iPads . Here is the port configuration for the iPads Apple presently sells .
Apple Watch ports
When the Apple Watch ( irrespective of theoretical account ) ask to make a connection , it does so wirelessly , relying on Wi - Fi and Bluetooth . It does n’t have any data port , but it does make a magnetic inductive reasoning connexion when attached to a charger . ( Apple does n’t relate to Apple Watch ’s charger as a MagSafe charger . )
For the pedantic , Apple Watch does have connectors at the top and bottom for lookout man bands . These do n’t transfer datum at all .
Apple Vision Pro ports
Apple does n’t expect users to connect theApple Vision Proto anything , so it does n’t have built - in data ports . It rely on Wi - Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity .
However , Apple does have what it calls a Developer Strap that replaces the correct audio strap on the Vision Pro . The Developer Strap has a USB - C connector that developer use to attach the Vision Pro to a Mac . The $ 300 equipment is not meant to be sold to the general populace .
The Vision Pro does have a consign port . The outside electric battery has a USB - C port for charging .
*The Mac Pro has internal connectors: one USB-A port and two Serial ATA ports.
AirPods ports
The AirPods live has a intermixture of Lightning and USB - C connectors . Lightning is on its way out and finally will no longer be offer , but for now , it ’s still useable on several devices . Here are the ports available on the dissimilar AirPods Apple presently sells :
Apple TV 4K ports
Apple TV 4 kelvin is available with or without an ethernet port . An ethernet connection provide dear , more reliable performance than Wi - Fi , but you have to run an ethernet cable from the gimmick to your home ’s router .
HomePod and HomePod mini ports
The HomePod and HomePod mini rely on Wi - Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity . They do not have any data point ports .
Thunderbolt/USB 4 FAQ
What does Thunderbolt / USB 4 look like?The Thunderbolt / USB 4 porthole is a orthogonal oval . If you look inside a gimmick port , you ’ll see a tenuous line right away across the essence – that ’s a manlike connection within the port . If you look inside a Thunderbolt / USB 4 line connexion , you wo n’t find that slight line , entail it ’s a female connector .
Some Apple devices have both Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and USB - speed of light embrasure ( see the next division below ) . On certain machines , Apple identifies the Thunderbolt / USB 4 porthole with a Thunderbolt image atop the port wine .
The MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports on one side .
*The Mac Pro has internal connectors: one USB-A port and two Serial ATA ports.
Foundry
What does Thunderbolt / USB 4 do?The Thunderbolt / USB 4 port is a petty more complicated than most . The reason for the dual name is that the interface take on the forcible property of USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate , but the whole thing is powered by Thunderbolt 4 engineering science . Learn more about Thunderbolt and USB 4 .
Apple use Thunderbolt / USB 4 as its mellow - carrying into action port ; it offers debauched 40Gbps data rate . The USB - C port that Apple also employ implement the USB 3.1 protocol that tops out at 10Gbps . It ’s also capable of sending electricity at the same time , so it can power or tear a connected gadget .
On an iMac with four ports, the two on the left without the icon labels are USB-C ports. The other two ports are Thunderbolt/USB 4 and have Thunderolt icons.
What can I connect to Thunderbolt / USB 4?As with all previous USB port , Thunderbolt / USB 4 is a one - stopover shop class for connecting all peripherals , accessories , wharf , hub , and anything else you want to connect to your Apple twist . you’re able to connect Thunderbolt or USB - ascorbic acid equipment to the port . It also supports showing , but you ’ll necessitate to check with each Mac ’s specification to see what the limits are . If you have a computer peripheral that has a different connector , you may be able-bodied to use a USB - C adapter .
USB-C FAQ
What does USB - blow look like?A USB - C port / connector look exactly like a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port wine . If an Apple machine has both Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and USB - atomic number 6 porthole , the USB - coke ports are the oneswithouta Thunderbolt picture .
On an iMac with four ports , the two on the left wing without the icon label are USB - C port . The other two ports are Thunderbolt / USB 4 and have Thunderolt icons .
What does USB - C do?Apple ’s implementation of USB - C relies on the USB 3.1 protocol , which support information rates of 10Gbps . It ’s not as fast as Thunderbolt / USB 4 , but it ’s flash for Apple to use , so it ’s in gimmick that do n’t postulate gamy - amphetamine data rates ( like AirPods ) or devices that are at Apple ’s consumer price level . It ’s also equal to of sending electricity at the same time , so it can power or charge a connected gimmick .
The M2 Pro Mac mini (pictured here) has HDMI 2.1. The M2 Mac mini supports HDMI 2.0.
What can I connect to USB - C?USB - C is for connecting all peripherals , accessories , hubs , docks , and anything else you want to join to your Apple gadget . It also supports displays , but you ’ll postulate to check with each Apple equipment ’s specifications to see what the limits are . If you have a peripheral that has a dissimilar connector , you may be able to use a USB - C adapter . Since Thunderbolt and USB - C habituate the same connector , you might be wondering if you may connect a Thunderbolt machine to USB - C on an Apple gimmick . A machine follow up Thunderbolt to take reward of the faster data rate – a charge per unit that USB - C does n’t match . So , you could plug into a Thunderbolt equipment to a Mac ’s USB - C larboard , but it may not work properly or at all .
USB-A FAQ
What does USB - A looking like?The USB - A slot is rectangular , with small credit card rectangle taking up one half of the space inside . You ’ll find it only on the Mac mini and Mac Studio in Apple current Mac card .
What does USB - A do?The Universal Serial Bus has been around since the late nineties to standardise how peripherals connected to various figurer . The USB - A type porthole was used for many years , so it ’s often the port wine you find on USB devices .
The M2 Pro Mac miniskirt ( picture here ) has HDMI 2.1 . The M2 Mac miniskirt supports HDMI 2.0 .
The MagSafe 3 connector on the 16-inch MacBook Pro is next to two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports.
Fooundry
The USB - A ports on the Mac miniskirt and Mac Studio implement theUSB 3.1 Gen 2protocol , which has datum rates of 10Gbps . It ’s slow than the Thunderbolt / USB 4 port found on most Macs ,
What can I connect to USB - A?The small rectangular ports can be used with external keyboards , disc drives , ovolo driving force , mike , desk lights , and a pack of other peripheral . It can even touch base an iPhone or iPad if you have the right cable . USB - A can also be used to charge or index devices .
Lighting is still used in Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse.
MagSafe FAQ
What does MagSafe look like?On a MacBook , it ’s a sparse ellipse with a black sliver in the center with five metal contacts . On an iPhone , you ca n’t see it , but it ’s underneath the back control panel .
What does MagSafe do?It ’s used for bear down . On MacBooks , it ’s a magnetic connector that will break away if it ’s yanked with a decent amount of effort . It ’s a handy connector to utilize if you ’re charge while using the MacBook in a distant location – if someone trips over the cable , the connection breaks away and save the laptop from falling off a mesa or your lap . ( On MacBooks , Apple refer it is as “ MagSafe 3 . ” )
The MagSafe 3 connector on the 16 - inch MacBook Pro is next to two Thunderbolt / USB 4 port .
THe HDMI port on a MacBook Pro is the port closest to the hinge.
On iPhones , it ’s also a magnetized connection , but it ’s a pack on the back – you ca n’t see it because it ’s underneath the jury . An iPhone MagSafe charger looks nothing like a MacBook MagSafe charger ; the iPhone version can take many shapes but it ’s often a orbitual disc . ( On iPhones , Apple refers to it as “ MagSafe . ” ) On many eccentric for MagSafe iPhones , there ’s ring on the back to denote where a MagSafe connection should attach .
Lightning FAQ
What does the Lightning port look likeIt ’s a small orthogonal oval larboard that looks a portion like a minor USB - C or Thunderbolt / USB 4 port . Lighting is a female connector , so it does n’t have a descent at the kernel . A male Lightning connector has four metal contacts on each side .
What does the Lightning port do?When Apple launch the iPhone 5 and the 4th - contemporaries iPad , itreplaced the 30 - pin connectorthat had featured on all the former models with Lightning engineering . As well as being much smaller ( and thus earmark more room for engineering inside the devices ) Lightning was fully digital and could be inserted either way up .
The Lightning larboard is in the main employ for charge machine but can also carry data to and from connected Macs or PCs . Lightning can also be used to unite wired headphones ; Apple supplied Lightning earphones , or aLightning to 3.5 millimetre Headphone Jack Adaptercan be used .
If you want ethernet on an iMac, you have to get the power adapter with an ethernet port.
Lighting is still used in Apple ’s Magic Keyboard , Magic Trackpad , and Magic Mouse .
What can I plug into to Lightning?Older iPhones and iPads use Lightning . Apple ’s Mac input devices still utilize Lightning , as do some model of the AirPods . Apple is phasing out Lightning in favor of USB - C , so it wo n’t be on new Apple machine .
HDMI FAQ
What does the HDMI interface look like?The HDMI port is a long rectangle with the two lower corner cut off . Inside there is a fragile line across the center , which is a manly connection . HDMI cable have female connectors and thus lack the heart connector .
What does HDMI do?High - Definition Multimedia Interface set aside you to send gamy - definition video recording and sound from your Mac to an outside display . This show can be a desktop Mac ’s primary video display or a 2nd show on a MacBook Pro .
What can I connect to HDMI?Any display , projector , or video that offers HDMI . The resolutions your show can run depends on the communications protocol the HDMI larboard is using . The M2 Mac mini ’s HDMI porthole is hunt version 2.0 of the HDMI protocol , so its maximal exhibit resolution and refresh rate is 4 kB at 60Hz . The other Macs with HDMI utilise version 2.1 , which support a utmost of 8 grand resolving power at 60Hz or 4 K resolution at 240Hz .
THe HDMI port wine on a MacBook Pro is the port closest to the hinge .
Ethernet FAQ
What does the ethernet port look like?The ethernet porthole is a square with two rectangles in the top odd and right hand corner , and a grill - like rectangle along the bottom .
What does the ethernet port do?An ethernet port wine allow you to plug straight into a router , using an RJ-45 cable , to get the best possible signal for your internet link . It can be faster and more honest than Wi - Fi .
If you have a Mac with both ethernet and Wi - Fi , you’re able to expend only one at a time to connect to a web .
What Apple gadget have ethernet?The Mac mini and in high spirits - end iMac have gigabit ethernet port , while a quick 10Gb ethernet interface is an option on the Mac miniskirt , and standard on the Mac Studio and Mac Pro . On the Apple silicon iMacs , the ethernet port wine is built into the charger since the gimmick itself is too flimsy to stomach it .
If you desire ethernet on an iMac , you have to get the power adaptor with an ethernet larboard .
SDXC FAQ
What does the SDXC slot look like?The SDXC slot is a slight orthogonal opening , about an inch long .
What does the SDXC slot do?SD cards are a form of storage commonly associated with digital cameras . you could take an SD card from a twist and introduce it into the Mac ’s SDXC slot , and it will read the card as an external storage equipment .
What types of SD Cards can the SXDC slot read?The SDXC time slot will accept any type of Coyote State card , except for the Micro SD card you might find in some camera , recording gimmick , or Android phones . For this you ’ll need an arranger .
3.5mm headphone jack FAQ
What does the 3.5 mm earphone jack look like?A small circular port found on the side of MacBooks and the iMac , and the back of the Mac mini , Mac Studio , and Mac Pro .
What does the 3.5 mm headphone jack do?This aperture allows you to punch in wired earpiece or earbuds when you desire to escape the noise and distraction of the world at large .
The diddlysquat in Apple current Mac lineup supports high - resistivity earpiece , which are often used in audio production or audiophiles . The jack can be used with distinctive consumer - degree wire phone .
Even though it ’s called a earpiece jack , it can be used with speaker unit with a 3.5 mm wired plug .
