It's been some time since Apple built in an ethernet port to its MacBook Pro lineup. With the introduction of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 to the MacBook lineup in 2016, adding ethernet and other ports back to your MacBook is easier than ever. Here's how you can add ethernet to your MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.

Products used in this guide

Plug in your USB Adapter, with a live ethernet cable. Open System Preferences, and go to the Network Pane. Hit the + button in the bottom right, select the 'USB 2.0 10/100M Ethernet Adapter', and hit add. Plug in the adapter while the computer is running. Check Device Manager (you can get there by right-clicking Start). You should see a listed Apple device with a little yellow exclamation mark next to it, saying Windows can't load the driver. Go to the website listed in the blog post and find the driver for your OS. How to add ethernet to your USB-C MacBook Pro Acquire a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter. Plug USB-C end of the adapter into your Mac. Plug ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the adapter. With a small size, this model is also the ideal travel companion if you own a laptop or a tablet. The price is extremely affordable for a USB to Ethernet adapter. As this unit supports USB 3.0, you should expect much faster speeds than USB 2.0 models. If you have a USB 3.0 port you will probably see at least a doubling of network speeds.

Amazon: Anker USB-C-to-Ethernet Adapter ($23)
Apple: MacBook Pro ($1,299)

How to add ethernet to your USB-C MacBook Pro

Acquire a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter.
Plug USB-C end of the adapter into your Mac.
Plug ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the adapter.

Note that you might find that you need to download driver software for your adapter to work at its full capacity. If you purchased the adapter recommended in this guide, head to Anker's website to get the necessary driver.

Our top equipment picks

To add ethernet support to your MacBook Pro (or any Mac laptop from 2018 on), you'll just need a basic adapter.

Mac Usb Ethernet Adapter Speed

Get wired

Anker USB-C-to-Ethernet Adapter

Bring ethernet back to your Mac.

This adapter plugs right into one of the Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports on your MacBook Pro and adds gigabit ethernet to your Mac. Small enough to go with you anywhere.

Lightweight and compact, Anker's adapter features gigabit ethernet support and works not just with your MacBook Pro, but any other computing device with a USB-C port like a 2018 iPad Pro. It has three status LED indicators: red to indicate power is on, green when the ethernet cable is connected, and blue when it's connected to your network.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3

Your entry level Pro.

While any MacBook Pro released since 2016 will feature at least two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, this is your least-expensive option, even if its processors are a little outdated. If you want something more recent, you can also choose from the other available models.

The modern MacBook Pro is thin and sleek, but it's had to sacrifice some ports to get there. The 13-inch models have two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, one of which you'll need to use for your ethernet adapter.

Additional Equipment

Mac Usb To Ethernet Adapter Best Buy

If you don't have a spare ethernet cable, you'll need to pick one up to make use of your new adapter.

Mediabridge Ethernet Cable($6 at Amazon)

If you don't already have an ethernet cable, this 15-foot cable is available at a great price right now.

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Buyers Guide

Usb To Ethernet Adapter Best Buy

A hardshell case for your MacBook Pro is protective and stylish

Usb To Ethernet Adapter Mac Address

Protecting the outside of your MacBook is a great way to protect its precious insides. Pick up a hard shell cover and save it from scratches and bumps. Here are our favorites!

Mac Usb To Ethernet Adapter Amazon

Easily connect your Mac computer to an Ethernet network with the Apple USB Ethernet Adapter. Small and light, it connects to the USB 2.0 port of your Mac and provides an RJ-45 connector that supports 10/100BASE-T performance.
Apple USB Ethernet Adapter with built-in 4.6-inch USB cable
Connections
USB 2
Mac computer with available USB 2.0 port
Mac Models
- MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015 - 2017)
- MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012 - 2015)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012 - 2015)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 - 2015)
- Mac mini (Late 2014)

2 out of 5 stars
Number of stars	Percentage	Number of reviews
5 Stars(Read all reviews)	2reviews
4 Stars(Read all reviews)	0reviews
3 Stars(Read all reviews)	0reviews
2 Stars(Read all reviews)	2reviews
1 Star(Read all reviews)	2reviews

Used to work perfectly
To all the folks complaining about the limited speed and giving out one star ratings... did you read the product description? It literally says '10/100BASE-T pe To all the folks complaining about the limited speed and giving out one star ratings... did you read the product description? It literally says '10/100BASE-T performance' which limits the connection to 100Mbps. If you are lucky enough to have higher bandwidth than that, buy the Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter. Either way, the device stopped working for us after updating to the newer OS. It now requires a 3rd party driver and that failed after a few days. Another quality product that we are forced to upgrade.
181 of 190 people found this useful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Works well until it breaks
I have used this product for less than 6 months and it doesn't work anymore. The wires got frayed at the base of the cord and just doesn't work. Really don't kn I have used this product for less than 6 months and it doesn't work anymore. The wires got frayed at the base of the cord and just doesn't work. Really don't know why this happens to all apple cables for as much money we pour into them.
90 of 98 people found this useful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best for Business!
I purchased this item and I have no wifi connectivity issues anymore! I can work without worrying that I might disconnect from the internet or losing signal ov I purchased this item and I have no wifi connectivity issues anymore! I can work without worrying that I might disconnect from the internet or losing signal over Wifi.
46 of 70 people found this useful

Warning!
Important to note that this is only a 100Mbps device, not a 1Gbps device. It works as advertised, but honestly, it's obsolete and should be replaced.
40 of 66 people found this useful