MacBooks do have USB ports. They just don't have the rectangular USB-A ports you're used to. Apple replaced USB-A with USB-C because it's 8 times faster, 45% smaller, reversible, and can carry power, data, and video through one cable.
If you just bought a MacBook and can't find a place to plug in your flash drive or external hard drive, you're not alone. The familiar rectangular USB port is gone. Apple made this change starting with the MacBook Pro, and every MacBook since then uses only USB-C ports. The good news is that USB-C is still USB. It's just a different shape with better technology inside.
What Ports Do MacBooks Actually Have?
Every MacBook sold today comes with USB-C ports. These oval shaped ports look different from the rectangular USB-A ports on older computers, but they work with all USB devices when you use the right cable or adapter.
The MacBook Air has two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3 or 4, depending on the model. The MacBook Pro has three or four USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support. These ports handle everything from charging your laptop to connecting external monitors, hard drives, and accessories.
Older MacBooks had the rectangular USB-A ports along with other connections like HDMI and an SD card slot. Apple removed all of these in favor of USB-C because one port type can now do everything those separate ports used to do.
Why Apple Made the Switch
Apple didn't remove USB-A ports just to sell adapters. There are real engineering reasons behind this decision that benefit users over time.
USB-C Is Much Smaller
A USB-A port measures about 0.47 x 0.18 inches (12mm x 4.5mm). A USB-C port is only 0.33 x 0.10 inches (8.4mm x 2.6mm). That's roughly 45% smaller. This size difference matters when you're building a laptop that's less than half an inch thick. The USB-A connector is simply too tall to fit in modern thin laptop designs without creating a bulge.
USB-C Transfers Data Much Faster
The fastest USB-A ports (USB 3.0) max out at 5 Gbps. USB-C ports on MacBooks support Thunderbolt, which runs at 40 Gbps. That's 8 times faster. When you're backing up photos, editing video from an external drive, or moving large files, this speed difference saves real time.
According to the USB Implementers Forum, the organization that develops USB standards, USB4 (which uses USB-C connectors) can reach 80 Gbps, with future versions planned for even higher speeds.
USB-C Delivers More Power
USB-A ports can only deliver about 4.5 watts of power. That's enough to charge a phone slowly, but not much else. USB-C with Power Delivery can provide up to 100 watts, which is enough to charge a MacBook Pro while you use it. The newest USB-C specification supports up to 240 watts, though no MacBooks currently need that much.
This is why MacBooks charge through the same USB-C ports you use for data. One cable type handles everything.
USB-A has a plastic piece inside that only allows the plug to go in one way, but the outside of the port looks nearly identical from both directions. This creates what engineers call "superposition," where both orientations appear equally correct until you try one. Studies have shown that people succeed on the first attempt only about 50% of the time, matching pure chance. USB-C solved this by making the connector symmetrical inside and out. Engineers call this a "reversible" connector, and it's one of the most requested improvements that finally came to USB.
USB-C Carries Video Signals
USB-A can only transfer data. USB-C can carry DisplayPort and HDMI video signals through the same cable. This means you can connect a 4K or even 6K monitor to your MacBook using a single USB-C cable. Some monitors also provide power back to the laptop through that same cable, so one connection handles video, data, and charging at once.
How to Connect Your Old USB Devices
You don't have to throw away your USB-A devices. Adapters and hubs let you connect anything with a rectangular USB plug to your MacBook's USB-C ports.
Simple USB-A to USB-C Adapters
The cheapest solution is a small adapter that plugs into your MacBook's USB-C port and provides a USB-A port on the other end. These cost between $8 and $15 and work with flash drives, keyboards, mice, and external hard drives. The adapter doesn't slow down your devices. A USB 3.0 flash drive will still run at USB 3.0 speeds through the adapter.
USB-C Hubs with Multiple Ports
If you need to connect several devices at once, a USB-C hub is more practical than carrying multiple adapters. A typical hub plugs into one USB-C port and provides several USB-A ports, plus extras like HDMI output, an SD card reader, and an Ethernet port.
Hub prices vary based on features:
- Basic hubs with 4 USB-A ports: $20 to $40
- Mid range hubs with HDMI, Ethernet, and SD card slots: $50 to $80
- Thunderbolt docking stations with dual monitor support: $150 to $300
Docking Stations for Desktop Setups
If you use your MacBook at a desk with monitors, a keyboard, and other accessories, a docking station simplifies everything. You connect one Thunderbolt cable to your MacBook, and the dock provides connections for your monitors, USB devices, Ethernet, audio, and power. When you need to leave, you unplug one cable and go.
Compatibility Tip: When buying a hub or dock, check that it supports your MacBook's Thunderbolt version. A Thunderbolt 4 dock works with a Thunderbolt 3 MacBook, but you won't get full speed. A Thunderbolt 3 dock works fine with Thunderbolt 4 MacBooks.
USB-A vs USB-C Comparison
Here's why USB-C is the better technology, even if the transition requires buying a few adapters.
| Feature | USB-A (USB 3.0) | USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 5 Gbps | 40 Gbps |
| Power Delivery | 4.5 watts | 100 watts |
| Video Output | Not supported | Dual 4K or single 6K |
| Connector Size | 0.47 x 0.18 in (12 x 4.5mm) | 0.33 x 0.10 in (8.4 x 2.6mm) |
| Reversible | No | Yes |
Which MacBooks Still Have USB-A?
No MacBook sold today has USB-A ports. Apple stopped including them years ago. If you need a MacBook with USB-A, you would have to buy a used or refurbished model.
Here's when Apple removed USB-A from each MacBook line:
- MacBook Pro: USB-A removed in late 2016
- MacBook Air: USB-A removed in late 2018
- 12-inch MacBook: Never had USB-A (discontinued)
Buying an older MacBook just for USB-A ports isn't recommended. Those models have outdated processors, less RAM, and won't receive macOS updates for much longer. The cost of a few adapters is much less than the performance and security you'd give up with an old machine.
Will USB-A Ever Come Back to MacBooks?
Almost certainly not. The entire computer industry is moving to USB-C. The European Union now requires USB-C charging ports on laptops sold in EU countries. Most Windows laptops, tablets, and phones already use USB-C. Even accessories like external hard drives and flash drives increasingly come with USB-C connectors.
Apple brought back some ports that users missed, like HDMI and the SD card slot on recent MacBook Pro models. But USB-A is different because USB-C does everything USB-A does, just better. There's no technical reason to bring back the older, larger, slower connector.
Tips for Living with USB-C Only
After a short adjustment period, most people find USB-C more convenient than the old mix of different ports. Here are some ways to make the transition easier:
- Keep one small USB-A adapter in your laptop bag for emergencies
- When buying new accessories, choose USB-C versions when available
- Get a hub with the ports you use most often and leave it at your desk
- Use USB-C cables that support both data and charging so you need fewer cables
- Check if your monitor has USB-C input, which can replace a separate dock
Cable Warning: Not all USB-C cables are the same. Some only carry power, not data. Some support 5 Gbps, others support 40 Gbps. When buying cables, check the specifications to make sure they support the speeds and features you need.
Key Takeaway
- MacBooks have USB ports, just USB-C instead of USB-A
- USB-C is 8x faster, 45% smaller, and delivers 22x more power
- Simple adapters ($8 to $15) connect all your old USB-A devices
- One USB-C port can handle charging, data, and video at once
- No current MacBook has USB-A, and it's unlikely to return
The Bottom Line
MacBooks don't have USB-A ports because USB-C is better in every measurable way. It's smaller, faster, more powerful, and more versatile. The transition requires buying a few adapters, but those adapters let you use all your existing devices while also giving you access to faster speeds and features that USB-A could never provide. As more devices ship with USB-C, the need for adapters will decrease until USB-A becomes as rare as the floppy disk drive.