What are the USB ports on my Mac?

USB Ports have changed over several generations of Macs, this will help you identify the ports on your machine.

A USB port — short for Universal Serial Bus port — is a type of connection found on nearly all modern computers, tablets, and many other electronic devices. It allows you to connect, transfer data, and provide power between devices such as external drives, keyboards, mice, printers, smartphones, and more.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

USB Type-A

USB-A, short for Universal Serial Bus Type-A, is the classic rectangular connector most people recognize from years of plugging in flash drives, keyboards, mice, and countless other accessories. It’s the original USB design that helped standardize how devices connect to computers and share power or data. The plug has a single, flat shape that only fits one way (which has led to plenty of “flip it over” moments), and it’s commonly found on older laptops, desktops, and chargers. While newer connectors like USB-C are smaller, reversible, and faster, USB-A remains widely used thanks to its reliability and massive compatibility with existing devices and cables. Macs cannot charge via the USB-A ports.

Here’s a list of Mac models that include USB-A ports — those familiar rectangular connectors still used for countless accessories like flash drives, printers, and wired keyboards:

💻 MacBook Air Models with USB-A

MacBook Air (2017) and earlier
- 2 × USB 3 (Type-A) ports
MacBook Air (2015)
MacBook Air (2013)
MacBook Air (2012)
MacBook Air (2011)
MacBook Air (2010)
(All Intel-based MacBook Airs before the 2018 redesign feature USB-A.)

💻 MacBook Pro Models with USB-A

MacBook Pro (2015) and earlier
- 2 × USB 3 (Type-A) ports
MacBook Pro (2012–2015, Retina and non-Retina)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010–2011)
(The 2016 redesign removed USB-A in favor of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3.)

🖥️ iMac Models with USB-A

iMac (2020 Intel)
iMac (2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012, and earlier)
- Typically 4 × USB-A ports on the back

🖥️ iMac Pro with USB-A

iMac Pro (2017)
- 4 × USB 3 (Type-A) ports on the back

🧊 Mac mini Models with USB-A

Mac mini (2020, M1) — 2 × USB-A ports
Mac mini (2018, Intel) — 2 × USB-A ports
Mac mini (2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, and earlier) — 4 × USB-A ports

🧱 Mac Pro with USB-A

Mac Pro (2019, Tower) — 2 × USB-A ports (rear)
Mac Pro (2013, “Trash Can”) — 4 × USB-A ports
Older Mac Pro towers (2010, 2012, etc.) — multiple USB-A ports

✅ In summary:
USB-A ports are found on nearly all Macs made before 2016, and even some later desktop models like the Mac mini (M1) and Mac Pro (2019) still include them for backward compatibility.

USB Type-C

USB-C is the modern, oval-shaped connector that’s quickly become the universal standard for charging, data transfer, and even video output across today’s devices. Unlike the older USB-A port, USB-C is reversible, meaning there’s no “wrong way” to plug it in—a small but glorious improvement for anyone tired of flipping cables. It’s also much more powerful and versatile: USB-C can deliver faster data speeds, higher power for charging laptops, and even handle 4K or 8K video output through the same port. On Macs, USB-C often doubles as a Thunderbolt port, boosting performance even further with ultra-fast connections to external drives, monitors, and docks. Sleek, compact, and future-focused, USB-C represents Apple’s shift toward simplicity and efficiency, letting one tiny port do the job of many.

Here’s a complete list of Mac models that include USB-C ports — the small, reversible connectors used for charging, data transfer, and display output.

💻 MacBook Models with USB-C

MacBook (12-inch, 2015–2017)
- 1 × USB-C port (supports charging and data)
- Apple’s first Mac with USB-C!

💻 MacBook Air Models with USB-C

MacBook Air (M4, 2025)
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
MacBook Air (M2, 2022–2023)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
MacBook Air (Retina, 2018–2019, Intel)
- 2 × Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports

💻 MacBook Pro Models with USB-C

MacBook Pro (M4, 2025)
MacBook Pro (M3, 2023–2024)
MacBook Pro (M2, 2022)
MacBook Pro (M1, 2020–2021)
MacBook Pro (Intel, 2016–2020)

🖥️ iMac Models with USB-C

iMac (M3, 2023–2024) — 2 × Thunderbolt / USB-C + 2 × USB-C
iMac (M1, 2021) — 2 × Thunderbolt / USB-C (base) or 4 total (higher trims)
iMac (Intel, 2020–2017) — 2 × Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
- First introduced USB-C on iMac in 2017 models.

🖥️ iMac Pro

iMac Pro (2017) — 4 × Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports

🧊 Mac mini Models with USB-C

Mac mini (M4, expected 2025) — TBD, but expected 2–4 USB-C ports
Mac mini (M2 / M2 Pro, 2023) — 2 × USB-C (M2) or 4 × USB-C (M2 Pro)
Mac mini (M1, 2020) — 2 × USB-C / Thunderbolt 3
Mac mini (Intel, 2018) — 4 × Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
- The 2018 Mac mini was the first to include USB-C ports.

🧱 Mac Pro Models with USB-C

Mac Pro (M2 Ultra, 2023) — 8 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports total
Mac Pro (Intel, 2019) — 4 × Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports standard

✅ In summary:

Every Mac released since 2016 includes at least one USB-C port.
Mac desktops and laptops now rely on USB-C for nearly all modern connectivity — from charging to displays to external storage.

While USB Type-A and USB Type-C are the most common on Macs today, there have been several other USB connector types over the years. Let’s walk through all of them — what they look like, what they do, and whether they’re found on Macs or just used with Macs through adapters or accessories.

The Complete Family of USB Connector Types

USB Type-B (Standard-B)

Shape: A squarish connector, often with a beveled top.
Common on: Printers, scanners, and external hard drives.
Purpose: Device-side connector; usually plugs into the accessory, not the Mac.
Mac compatibility:
- Never appeared on Macs themselves.
- Always used with Macs via a USB-A or USB-C cable.

✅ Found on Macs: No.
✅ Can be used with Macs: Yes, through USB-A or USB-C cables.

USB Mini-B

Shape: Small trapezoid, thicker than micro-USB.
Common on: Older cameras, GPS units, external drives, and early MP3 players.
Purpose: Peripheral-side connector.
Mac compatibility:
- Never built into Macs.
- Works perfectly via USB-A or USB-C adapters.

✅ Found on Macs: No.
✅ Can be used with Macs: Yes, via adapters or cables.

USB Micro-B

Shape: Thin, flat connector with two edges and a tapered side.
Common on: Older Android phones, portable drives, and Bluetooth accessories.
Variants:
- Standard Micro-B: Data + power (most common).
- Micro-B SuperSpeed: Wider plug with extra pins for USB 3.0 speeds.
Mac compatibility:
- Never built into Macs.
- Works fine via USB-A or USB-C to Micro-B cables.

✅ Found on Macs: No.
✅ Can be used with Macs: Yes, via adapter or cable.

USB Mini-A

Shape: Similar to Mini-B but more rectangular; rarely used.
Common on: Very early USB On-The-Go (OTG) devices like cameras or PDAs.
Mac compatibility: Practically nonexistent — Apple never supported it directly.

✅ Found on Macs: No.
✅ Can be used with Macs: In theory, yes (with proper cable), but almost no current device uses it.

USB Micro-A

Shape: Flat and rectangular, slightly wider than Micro-B.
Common on: Some early USB On-The-Go accessories.
Mac compatibility: Rare and obsolete.

✅ Found on Macs: No.
✅ Can be used with Macs: Technically yes, but not relevant today.

💡 Quick Reference Table

USB Type	Physical Port on Mac?	Can Be Used with Mac?	Common Use
Type-A	✅ Yes (older Macs)	✅ Yes (with adapter)	Keyboards, drives
Type-B	❌ No	✅ Yes	Printers, scanners
Mini-A	❌ No	⚠️ Rarely	Early cameras (obsolete)
Mini-B	❌ No	✅ Yes	Cameras, drives
Micro-A	❌ No	⚠️ Rarely	Early OTG devices
Micro-B	❌ No	✅ Yes	Phones, external drives
Type-C	✅ Yes (new Macs)	✅ Yes	Everything — power, data, display

Compatibility with Macs in Practice

Even though Macs never included Mini or Micro USB ports, macOS recognizes nearly any USB device you connect through an adapter or hub. That’s because USB communication is standardized — Apple’s operating system handles the protocol seamlessly.

So:

A USB-C MacBook can connect to a USB-B printer with a simple USB-C to USB-B cable.
An older iMac with USB-A can connect to a Micro-B external drive using a USB-A to Micro-B cable.
Even ancient Mini-B cameras can transfer photos via an adapter and macOS’s Image Capture or Photos app.

What the USB connections look like

What Can I do with USB on a Mac?

A Mac can do an incredible range of things via USB — it’s one of the most versatile and powerful connection systems ever built into Apple computers. Whether your Mac uses traditional USB-A ports or modern USB-C connections, the USB interface acts as a bridge for power, data transfer, communication, and expansion. Through USB, your Mac becomes a hub that can charge devices, connect peripherals, move files, record music, output video, and more.

One of the most essential functions of USB on a Mac is power delivery. Macs can charge other devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and countless third-party accessories through their USB ports. Modern USB-C ports can provide between 15 watts and 100 watts of power — and even up to 240 watts on the latest USB Power Delivery (PD 3.1) standard. That means your Mac can charge a phone or tablet while it’s in use, or even power other accessories connected through a USB-C hub. Likewise, USB-C is also how newer Macs charge themselves. Instead of a proprietary connector, Apple’s laptops now use universal USB-C power adapters, allowing users to charge from monitors, docking stations, or even portable power banks. It’s a sleek, universal approach that keeps your workspace cleaner and more flexible.

USB is also the primary method for transferring data and expanding storage. Macs can connect directly to external hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, and memory card readers. These devices appear automatically in Finder, letting you move files, back up data, or even run macOS from an external boot drive. With modern USB-C and USB 3.2 technology, transfer speeds can exceed 1,000 MB per second — making it practical to edit video or large design projects directly from an external drive. Macs also use USB for direct connections to iPhones, iPads, and digital cameras, allowing you to back up, sync, or import photos using Finder or Photos without relying on wireless connections. macOS’s built-in drivers make this process seamless, with no setup or configuration required.

In the world of music and audio production, USB has become the backbone of creative setups. Macs connect easily to USB audio interfaces, MIDI keyboards, microphones, and headphones. A USB audio interface allows musicians to record vocals or instruments with professional quality, while MIDI controllers plug directly into GarageBand, Logic Pro, or other music software. Audiophiles can even connect USB DACs or headphones for high-fidelity sound playback. For podcasters or musicians, the ability to power an entire studio setup through a single USB-C hub — without needing separate power supplies — makes the Mac an especially attractive choice for portable or home recording.

USB also plays a huge role in video output and display connectivity. Modern Macs with USB-C support DisplayPort and HDMI output via adapters, making it easy to connect external monitors, projectors, or even 4K and 6K displays. This flexibility allows you to mirror or extend your desktop for productivity or creative workflows. USB is also used for webcams, video capture devices, and streaming gear, allowing you to connect cameras, HDMI capture cards, and lighting equipment directly. For professionals who livestream, teach online, or record video content, USB makes it simple to create a reliable, high-quality setup with minimal cables.

Beyond creative work, USB remains the standard for connecting everyday input devices. Keyboards, mice, trackballs, drawing tablets, and styluses all plug in seamlessly and work instantly on a Mac. macOS automatically recognizes standard functions and shortcuts, and drawing tablets from companies like Wacom or XP-Pen integrate deeply with creative applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Even specialized accessories like numeric keypads or video-editing consoles connect via USB without additional software, giving users full control and customization options.

While Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dominate networking today, USB still plays a critical role in wired and mobile connections. With a simple USB Ethernet adapter, a Mac can connect to wired networks for faster, more stable internet — a must for IT environments and studios. USB cellular modems allow mobile internet access without Wi-Fi, and iPhones can share their data connections with a Mac through USB tethering. This direct wired connection offers greater reliability and speed than wireless hotspots, making it ideal for travel or backup connectivity.

USB’s versatility extends to creative, professional, and technical gear. It powers cameras, LED lights, external DVD or Blu-ray drives, audio mixers, barcode scanners, label printers, and even microcontroller boards like Arduino or Raspberry Pi. macOS recognizes most of these devices automatically using standard USB communication protocols, meaning they work right out of the box with little to no configuration. The USB system also supports advanced accessories such as YubiKey security keys for passwordless login, bootable recovery drives, and diagnostic tools used by technicians.

USB hubs and docking stations expand what your Mac can do even further. With a single USB-C port, you can connect multiple displays, drives, audio devices, and accessories. Many hubs also include HDMI, Ethernet, SD card readers, and extra USB-A ports, turning one Mac port into a full desktop setup. macOS handles all these connections natively, so you can plug in nearly anything without needing extra drivers or software. This level of expandability makes Macs surprisingly adaptable for everything from travel to studio or office use.

In short, USB is the invisible hero of the modern Mac. It’s what lets your computer charge devices, move files, connect peripherals, power creative gear, display video, record sound, and secure your data. It’s a universal system that unites nearly every kind of digital device through a single, standardized connection. Whether you’re editing a film, designing art, writing code, or just charging your phone, your Mac’s USB ports are working quietly to make it all possible.

In essence, a Mac’s USB ports are like a digital Swiss Army knife — connecting, powering, charging, transferring, displaying, recording, and expanding your world, one connection at a time.