Apple equips its Macs with Thunderbolt ports that are compatible with USB - C. The MacBook Pro make out with either two or three of these larboard , calculate on the mannequin you pick . A Modern MacBook Air has a pair . A 24 - column inch iMac fall with two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports ; some model also admit two USB - C ports . A Mac Studio has four Thunderbolt 4 port . The Mac mini has two or four Thunderbolt 4 ports .
You probably have machine that expend USB - A , Thunderbolt 1 , Thunderbolt 2 , DisplayPort , HDMI , or something else . How do you link up these gadget ? With an adapter .
If you ’re be after to buy a Modern 24 - inch iMac , Mac Studio , Mac mini , MacBook Pro , or MacBook Air , make certain you set aside a considerable amount of cash for the adapters you need . Apple does n’t admit any in the boxwood , except for a great power adapter . Even if you are stupefy a Mac Studio , Mac miniskirt , or 14- or 16 - in MacBook Pro that has a lot of ports other than Thunderbolt , you may need to turn to an adaptor , dock , or hub if you have a lot of gear wheel to tie in .
Apple USB-C to USB Adapter
Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter with Type-C Charging Port
Your best bet is to get a combination dock , like the Satechi Slim Aluminum Type - C Multi - Port Adapter ( $ 48/£70on Amazon ) . It connects via USB - C and includes a USB - C slip away - through porthole , two USB 3.0 ports , and an HDMI port wine with 4 K ( 30Hz ) reenforcement . With this , you do n’t have to carry around multiple adaptor .
The most elegant solution is to habituate a docking post , which can have up to 18 port . Smaller multiport hubs are also available . We ’ve rounded up thebest USB - C hubs and adaptors for Macas well as thebest Thunderbolt and USB - atomic number 6 docking post .
If you do n’t desire a bobtail , or you ca n’t ascertain a loading dock with the mix of association you need , Apple or another society in all likelihood has an arranger for you . We ’ve come up with this guide to help you sort out what you need , and we yoke to the appropriate arranger in the online Apple Store or on Amazon . Quoted prices are dependent to change without observation .
Apple USB-C to USB Adapter
Be certain to check the return policies ; sometimes adapter from third parties do n’t put to work . Read exploiter reviews whenever possible , and read the specification to check that the adapter can do what you want it to do .
If there ’s a connection we miss , or you have advice on what transcriber to grease one’s palms , let us know onTwitterorFacebook .
How to connect USB-C devices
The Thunderboltportsin the current Mac Studio , 24 - column inch iMac , Mac miniskirt , MacBook Pro , and MacBook Air study with USB - degree Celsius devices , which have the same connector human body . If you want to apply a USB - C twist , you could just plug it into one of the Thunderbolt port . No adaptor is necessary .
Now , there is an issue on whether a cable can carry dataandprovide enough mightiness to charge a machine . We have a separate article that explainshow to order whether a USB - C cable can carry high - electrical power power and Thunderbolt 3 datum .
How to connect USB-A devices
Apple USB-C to USB Adapter
USB - A is the USB connector with which you ’re in all probability most conversant . It ’s the USB connector that was on the previous MacBooks . ( Terms likeUSB 4,USB 3andUSB 2refer to the speed at which data locomote through the connector . )
you may get a dock , like the before - mentioned Satechi . Or you’re able to get Apple’s$19/£16(Amazon ) USB - vitamin C to USB - A Adapter cable . Anker sells a two - pack of place gray USB - A ( female person ) to USB - C ( male ) adapters for$17/£11on Amazon .
Apple
If you need to plug into multiple USB - A devices , get a USB - degree Celsius to USB - A hub . UGreen sells a USB - C to 4 - Port USB 3.0 Hub ( $ 14 on Amazonor£15 on Amazon UK ) that bring home the bacon four USB - A port .
How to connect micro B SuperSpeeddevices
This connective is often used with international computer storage devices . You ’ll need a new cable television , like the$16/£13(Amazon ) StarTech USB - C to Micro USB overseas telegram .
The name of the cable is perplexing because it could be slip for micro USB . But if you match theproduct Thomas Nelson Page on StarTech ’s website , you could see a clear shot of the micro B SuperSpeed connector on the transmission line , which is quite different from micro USB .
How to connect an iPhone or iPad
Lightning to USB Cable (1 m)
For the iPhone and iPad , if you are still using the USB - A to Lightning ( or 30 - pin if you ’re using an old twist ) cable that came with your twist , you may get theUSB - C to USB Adaptermentioned above in the USB - A section .
Do n’t need an adapter ? Buy a $ 19/£19Lightning to USB - C Cable(1 m ) . you could also get a2 - meter versionfor $ 29/£29 .
More recent iPhones and iPads let in a USB - C to Lightning cable , and the iPad Pro include a USB - C charging cable , so you do n’t take the adapter for those devices .
How to connect the Lightning EarPods
Anker constitute a USB - C to Lightning adapter for$33/£27on Amazon . This adapter has afemaleLightning connecter on one end , so you could plug away in your Lightning earphones . The other side is a stock USB - C connector that you stop up into your Mac .
How to connect headphones with a 3.5mm headphone plug
You ’re in luck . The MacBook Pro , MacBook Air , Mac Studio , Mac miniskirt , and 24 - in iMac have a 3.5 mm headphone jack . Just plug it in and you ’re good to go . That was easy .
The MacBook Pro really has a earphone diddly . Really , it does .
Now , say you need a 2d earpiece doodly-squat . you could use a rail-splitter , like the StarTech Headphone Splitter ( $ 6/£6onAmazon ) .
Anker’s USB-C to Lightning Audio Adapter
How to connect Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 devices
Older versions of Thunderbolt have a unlike connector than the Thunderbolt connector on the current MacBook Air , MacBook Pro , Mac mini , Mac Studio , and 24 - inch iMac . The adapter you need is Apple ’s $ 49/£49Thunderbolt 3 ( USB - C ) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter .
Apple Thunderbolt 3 USB - C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
How to connect an external display
This one can eat up a chunk of your budget because there are so many different type of show connective . Be prepared to buy several adapters .
We also cover how to connect a display to a Mac here : How to link up your Mac to an extra proctor .
Apple’s Thunderbolt Display and older displays
If you ’re a longtime Mac user , maybe you invested in Apple ’s Thunderbolt video display some years ago . you may use Apple’sThunderbolt 3 ( USB - C ) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapterto connect these display to an Intel Mac .
However , masses online have report problem with using the Thunderbolt Display or Apple ’s LED Cinema Display with Apple ’s M1 Macs . Asdetailed by Macworld , these video display show a line of flash picture element at the top right of the screen . Apple publish a fix for this in macOS Monterey 12.3 , so if you run into this job , update macOS .
DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort
To connect to a DisplayPort exhibit , you need a USB - C to DisplayPort cable or transcriber . Amazon sells theCable Matters USB - snow to DisplayPort Adapter cablefor $ 19 ( £ 18 on Amazon UK ) , and it supports 4 grand video at 60Hz .
To connect a showing with mini DisplayPort , you want an adapter like the StarTech.com USB - century to Mini DisplayPort adaptor ( $ 39 on Amazon;£29 on Amazon UK ) .
HDMI
If you have the 14- or 16 - inch M1 Pro / Max MacBook Pro or Mac Studio , they have a full - sized HDMI 2.0 port . you may use a steady HDMI line like the Amazon Basic HDMI cablegram ( $ 17/£12on Amazon ) and plug it in . Keep in mind that the port back up HDMI 2.0 , so the maximum resolution and refresh rate it can run is 4k at 60Hz .
The M2 Pro / Max 14- and 16 - inch MacBook Pro has an HDMI 2.1 port wine and can run a 4 K display at 240Hz , or up to an 8 K presentation at 60Hz . For an 8 1000 presentation , you ask an HDMI 2.1 cable with reenforcement for 48Gbps bandwidth , such as the Belkin Ultra HD HDMI 2.1 Cable ( $ 28/£42on Amazon )
For other Macs , Apple offer up theUSB - C Digital AV Multiport Adapter , a $ 69/£75 machine that also provides a USB - A port and a USB - hundred port that ’s for charging only . Be warned : Apple released a new version of this adapter ( modelling phone number A2119 ) in August 2019 that supports HDMI 2.0 . The older version ( role model number A1621 ) supports HDMI 1.4 . When shopping , check out the manakin phone number ( at an Apple storage , you likely will get the new model ) . Apple has asupport documentthat detail the differences between the two adapters .
The MacBook Pro actually has a headphone jack. Really, it does.
Apple USB - C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
If you do n’t want to pass that much , you could get an adapter that ’s just a USB - blow to HDMI adaptor , such as Anker ’s USB - speed of light to HDMI Adapter ( $ 18/£20on Amazon ) . When shopping for such adaptor , look out for at least 1080p support .
DVI
Cable Matters has a 6 - foot USB - ampere-second to DVI Adapter ( $ 22 onAmazonor £ 20 onAmazon UK ) . They also deal 3 - foot ( $ 19 ) and 10 - understructure ( $ 23 ) versions .
VGA
To connect a VGA display , Apple has a USB - ampere-second VGA Multiport Adapter ( $ 64/£42on Amazon ) . In gain to a VGA to USB - vitamin C connection , it also provide a USB - A port for connecting a USB twist , and a USB - C charging porthole to keep your laptop battery happy .
On the more affordable side but without the USB ports is the Benfei USB - degree centigrade to VGA Adapter , which is available on Amazon for$12/£9 .
Multiple displays on M1/M2 Mac
Macs with an M1 or M2 C.P.U. can course two displays total ; on a MacBook , that ’s the laptop showing plus an external video display . If you require to run more show , you involve to look ing adockor another gimmick . The Plugable USB - C Quad HDMI Adapter ( $ 119/£140 ) allow these Macs run four 1920×1080 displays at 60Hz .
How to connect to ethernet
You ’ll probably use Wi - Fi most of the time , but using an ethernet connectedness has its advantages . To connect to an ethernet mesh , you require an adapter like the Anker USB - C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter , which is available on Amazon for$23/£17 .
How to connect SD cards
If you use a DLSR or other character of stand - alone camera , it might have a way to transplant your data file wirelessly . If not , you demand an adapter to get at the South Dakota calling card , like the SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS - II USB - one C Card Reader($21 onAmazonor £ 21 onAmazon UK ) .
If you have a USB - A card lector , you could try using Apple ’s $ 19/£19USB - C to USB Adapter , or get a USB - C dock .
How to connect FireWire devices
If you have a FireWire to USB - A overseas telegram , you’re able to try out using Apple ’s $ 19/£19USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate to USB - A Adapter . If you have a equipment with a FireWire 1394 4 - fall connecter — it was commonly used on picture cameras andlooks like this — and you need a fashion to connect , you could try using a USB - A to FireWire 1394 4 - pin cablegram ( $ 8/£10 onAmazon ) with the Apple’sUSB - C to USB Adapter .
Trying to touch base FireWire 400 and 800 gadget gets iffy . Apple has aThunderbolt to FireWire Adapterfor $ 29/£29 , but it has an former Thunderbolt connector that does n’t plug into the Thunderbolt larboard on a Modern MacBook Pro , MacBook Air , or 24 - inch iMac .
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
Apple Thunderbolt 3 USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
You could try daisy - chaining adapters , but that ’s always risky and may not bring , not to mention potentially bad for the adaptor . Plug the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter into Apple ’s $ 49/£49Thunderbolt 3 ( USB - C ) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapterand then stop up that into the Mac .
How to connect a printer with USB-B
Many printing machine today have wireless support , so there ’s no need for a cable . But maybe you have an old printer , or you find wireless printing unreliable . Most consumer printers have a USB - B port . It ’s a squarish connector , much unlike from USB - A or USB - C.
You need a cable like theCable Matters USB C Printer Cable , which has a USB - C to USB - B connection . A 1 - measure cable is$8/£7on Amazon ; other lengths are available .
Cable Matters USB C Printer Cable
Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
If you already have aUSB - vitamin C to USB Adapter , you may take the USB - A to USB - B cable that came with your printer and punch it into the adapter . Then you plug away the arranger into the laptop computer .
How to add a classic MagSafe power connector to the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
The power adapter that come with the 13 - inch MacBook Pro and M1 MacBook Air does n’t have a breakawayMagSafeconnector . MagSafe was a laptop computer lifesaver in instances where someone tripped over the top executive cable .
But you could still add a MagSafe connexion , and you could find several charging cablegram with magnetic connectors that can break away when the cable is yanked . A lot of the adapter that you find on Amazon seem to be the same product but are label by different sellers . And with Amazon user reassessment fraud so rampant , it ’s hard to swear on those reviews for advice .
Without having test these cable length ourselves , the best advice we can give is to look for cables that patronise Apple fast charging , have a length long enough for you to use ( at least 6 feet ) , and is made with good character textile ( like a braided cable ) . Some cable’s length can also be used for datum transfers , so you should check the data rate . Some have a right - angle connector ; insure to ensure such a connecter does n’t block the port next to it . And plainly , remark the guarantee and return policy .
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
Also , readHow to add more ports to a MacBook . In a separate article , we take to the woods through the differentcables and connection you demand to connect an supererogatory monitor to your Mac . We also discussWhich Mac has the most portsand iPhone and iPad ports are include in ourguide to Mac , iPad and iPhone port .
Cable Matters USB C Printer Cable
