Apple equips its Macs with Thunderbolt ports which are suitable with USB-C. A brand new MacBook Professional comes with both two or three of those ports, relying on the mannequin you choose. A brand new MacBook Air has a pair. A 24-inch iMac comes with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports; some fashions additionally embody two USB-C ports. A Mac Studio has 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports.
You most likely have gadgets that use USB-A, Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, DisplayPort, HDMI, or one thing else. How do you join these gadgets? With an adapter.
When you’re planning to purchase a brand new 24-inch iMac, MacBook Professional, or MacBook Air, be sure to put aside a substantial amount of money for the adapters you want. Apple doesn’t embody any within the field, aside from an influence adapter. Even in case you are getting a Mac Studio or 14- or 16-inch MacBook Professional that has a variety of ports apart from Thunderbolt, you might want to show to an adapter, dock, or hub in case you have a variety of gear to attach.
Your finest guess is to get a mix dock, just like the Satechi Slim Aluminum Sort-C Multi-Port Adapter ($60 on Amazon
). It connects by way of USB-C, and features a USB-C pass-through port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port with 4K (30Hz) help. With this, you don’t have to hold round a number of adapters.When you don’t need a dock, or you possibly can’t discover a dock with the combo of connections you want, Apple or one other firm most likely has an adapter for you. We’ve provide you with this information that can assist you type out what you want, and we link to the suitable adapter within the on-line Apple Retailer or on Amazon.
You should definitely verify the return insurance policies; typically adapters from third events don’t work. Learn person evaluations each time doable, and browse the specs to verify the adapter can do what you want it to do.
If there’s a connection we missed, or you’ve got recommendation on what adapters to purchase, tell us on Twitter or Fb.
The right way to join USB-C gadgets
The Thunderbolt ports within the present Mac Studio, 24-inch iMac, MacBook Professional, and MacBook Air work with USB-C gadgets, which have the identical connector form. If you wish to use a USB-C machine, you possibly can simply plug it into one of many Thunderbolt ports. No adapter vital. Whew.
The right way to join USB-A gadgets
USB-A is the USB connector with which you’re most likely most acquainted. It’s the USB connector that was on the earlier MacBooks. (Phrases like USB 4, USB 3 and USB 2 consult with the pace at which information travels by means of the connector.)
You may get a dock, just like the before-mentioned Satechi. Or you will get Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Adapter
.
Apple USB-C to USB Adapter
Apple
If you’ll want to join a number of USB-A gadgets, get a USB-C to USB-A hub. Anker sells a USB-C to 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub
($26 on Amazon) that gives 4 USB-A ports.The right way to join micro B SuperSpeed gadgets
This connector is commonly used with exterior storage gadgets. You’ll want a brand new cable, just like the $15 StarTech USB C to Micro USB Cable
.The title of the cable is complicated, as a result of it could possibly be mistaken for micro USB. However when you verify the product web page on StarTech’s web site, you possibly can see a transparent shot of the micro B SuperSpeed connector on the cable, which is kind of totally different from micro USB.
The right way to join an iPhone or iPad
For the iPhone and iPad, in case you are nonetheless utilizing the USB-A to Lightning (or 30-pin when you’re utilizing an older machine) cable that got here together with your machine, you will get the USB-C to USB Adapter
talked about above within the USB-A bit.Don’t need an adapter? Purchase a $19 Lightning to USB-C Cable
(1m). You may as well get a 2-meter model for $29.More moderen iPhones and iPads embody a USB-C to Lightning cable, and the iPad Professional features a USB-C charging cable, so that you don’t want the adapter for these gadgets.
The right way to join the Lightning EarPods
There’s a USB-C to Lightning adapter, because of the oldsters at Anker. It’s $25 on Amazon
. This adapter has a feminine Lightning connector on one finish, so you possibly can plug in your Lightning earphones. The opposite aspect is a regular USB-C connector that you simply plug into your Mac.
The right way to join headphones with a 3.5mm headphone plug
You’re in luck. The MacBook Professional, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, Mac mini, and 24-inch iMac have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Simply plug it in and also you’re good to go. That was straightforward.

The MacBook Professional truly has a headphone jack. Actually, it does.
Now, say you want a second headphone jack. You should utilize a splitter, just like the Belkin Speaker and Headphone 3.5 mm AUX Audio Cable Splitter ($9 on Amazon
). The $10 Boompods Multi Headphone Audio Splitter plugs into the headphone jack and provides 4 jacks.The right way to join Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 gadgets
Older variations of Thunderbolt have a distinct connector than the Thunderbolt connector on the present MacBook Air, MacBook Professional, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and 24-inch iMac. The adapter you want is Apple’s $49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
.
Apple Thunderbolt 3 USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Apple
The right way to join an exterior show
This one can eat up a piece of your price range as a result of there are such a lot of various kinds of show connectors. Be ready to purchase a number of adapters.
Apple’s Thunderbolt Show and older shows
When you’re a longtime Mac person, perhaps you invested in Apple’s Thunderbolt show some years in the past. You should utilize Apple’s Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter to attach these shows to an Intel Mac.
Nonetheless, folks on-line have reported issues with utilizing the Thunderbolt Show or Apple’s LED Cinema Show with Apple’s M1 Macs. As detailed by Macworld U.Ok., these shows present a line of flashing pixels on the prime proper of the display. The show remains to be usable, however the flashing pixels are a distraction.
Apple has not addressed the difficulty, which looks as if it could possibly be a compatibility downside with the M1’s GPU. Apple declared these shows as “Classic” in July 2021, which signifies that the corporate is not going to provide elements for repairs, nor do they promise to supply OS help. So there most likely will likely be no repair coming from Apple.
DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort
To hook up with a DisplayPort show, you want a USB-C to DisplayPort cable or adapter. Amazon sells the Cable Issues USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter cable
for $18, and it helps 4K video at 60Hz.To attach a show with mini DisplayPort, you want an adapter just like the Answin USB C to Mini DisplayPort adapter ($18 on Amazon
).HDMI
If in case you have the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Professional or Mac Studio, they’ve a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port. You should utilize a daily HDMI cable and plug it in. Remember that the port helps HDMI 2.0, so the utmost decision and refresh price it may run is 4k at 60Hz.
For different Macs, Apple gives the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
, a $69 machine that additionally gives a USB-A port and a USB-C port that’s for charging solely. Be warned: Apple launched a brand new model of this adapter (mannequin quantity A2119) in August 2019 that helps HDMI 2.0. The older model (mannequin quantity A1621) helps HDMI 1.4. When buying, verify the mannequin quantity (at an Apple retailer, you possible will get the brand new mannequin). Apple has a help doc that particulars the variations between the 2 adapters.
Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
Apple
When you don’t wish to spend that a lot, you will get an adapter that’s only a USB-C to HDMI adapter, corresponding to Anker’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($17 on Amazon
). We actually just like the Nonda USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($18 on Amazon ). When searching for such adapters, look out for at the least 1080p help. The Nonda adapter has 4K video help.DVI
Cable Issues has a 6-foot USB-C to DVI Adapter ($20 on Amazon
). Additionally they promote 3-foot ($19) and 10-foot ($23) variations.VGA
To attach a VGA show, Apple has a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter ($69 on Amazon
). Along with a VGA to USB-C connection, it additionally gives a USB-A port for connecting a USB machine, and a USB-C charging port to maintain your laptop computer battery completely satisfied.On the extra inexpensive aspect however with out the USB ports is the Benfei USB-C to VGA Adapter, which is obtainable on Amazon for $16.
How to hook up with ethernet
You’ll most likely use Wi-Fi more often than not, however utilizing an ethernet connection has its benefits. To hook up with an ethernet community, you want an adapter just like the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, which is obtainable on Amazon
for $35.
Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
The right way to join SD playing cards
When you use a DLSR or different kind of stand-alone digital camera, it may need a method to switch your recordsdata wirelessly. If not, you want an adapter to entry the SD card, just like the Cable Issues Twin Slot USB C Card Reader ($10 on Amazon ).

Cable Issues Twin Slot USB C Card Reader
If in case you have a USB-A card reader, you possibly can attempt utilizing the Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Adapter
, or get a USB-C dock.The right way to join FireWire gadgets
If in case you have a FireWire to USB-A cable, you possibly can attempt utilizing Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Adapter. If in case you have a tool with a FireWire 1394 4-pin connector—it was generally used on video cameras and appears like this—and also you want a method to join, you possibly can attempt utilizing a USB-A to FireWire 1394 4-pin cable ($8 on Amazon) with the Apple’s USB-C to USB Adapter.
Making an attempt to attach FireWire 400 and 800 gadgets will get iffy. Apple has a Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
for $29, but it surely has a older Thunderbolt connector that doesn’t plug into the Thunderbolt port on a brand new MacBook Professional, MacBook Air, or 24-inch iMac.
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
Apple
You possibly can attempt daisy-chaining adapters, however that’s all the time dangerous and will not work, to not point out doubtlessly unhealthy for the adapters. Plug the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter into Apple’s $49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
after which plug that into the Mac.The right way to join a printer with USB-B
Many printers these days have wi-fi help, so there’s no want for a cable. However perhaps you’ve got an older printer, otherwise you discover wi-fi printing unreliable. Most shopper printers have a USB-B port. It’s a squarish connector, a lot totally different from USB-A or USB-C.
You want a cable just like the Cable Issues USB C Printer Cable, which has a USB-C to USB-B connection. A 1 meter cable is $10; different lengths can be found.

Cable Issues USB C Printer Cable
If you have already got a USB-C to USB Adapter
, you possibly can take the USB-A to USB-B cable that got here together with your printer and plug it into the adapter. Then you definitely plug the adapter into the laptop computer.The right way to add a traditional MagSafe energy connector to the MacBook Air or MacBook Professional
The facility adapter that comes with the 13-inch MacBook Professional and MacBook Air doesn’t have a breakaway MagSafe connector. MagSafe was a laptop computer lifesaver in cases the place somebody tripped over the facility cable.
However you possibly can nonetheless add a MagSafe connector, and you will discover a number of charging cables with magnetic connectors that may break free when the cable is yanked. A variety of the adapters that you simply discover on Amazon appear to be the identical product however labeled by totally different sellers. And with Amazon person assessment fraud so rampant, it’s onerous to depend on these evaluations for recommendation.
With out having examined these cables ourselves, the most effective recommendation we can provide is to search for cables that help Apple quick charging, have a size lengthy sufficient so that you can use (at the least 6 toes), and is made with good high quality materials (like a braided cable). Some cables will also be used for information transfers, so it is best to verify the info price. Some have a right-angle connector; verify to verify such a connector doesn’t block the port subsequent to it. And clearly, word the assure and return coverage.
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