Using Standard PC Headset w/Microphone on a new Macbook Pro 2020 with 3.5mm USB C Port Adapter

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Using Standard PC Headset w/Microphone on a new Macbook Pro 2020 with 3.5mm USB C Port Adapter

I have a 13" Macbook Pro 2020 with 4 USB C ports and an Intel chip.

I purchased the 3.5mm USB C to headset w/mic adapter. The plug fits perfectly using a standard PC gaming headset with built-in microphone.

After resetting my PRAM and SMC several times, my Mac refuses to see the 3.5mm port or the headset.

Has anyone else found a way to make the USB C 3.5mm audio adapter work with their 2020 Macbook Pro?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Apr 4, 2022 7:14 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

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199,315 points

Apr 4, 2022 9:26 AM in response to Tim Mc.

Tim Mc. wrote:

The Macbook Pro 2020 13" has 4 USB C ports and no built-in 3.5mm jack, unfortunately...

Not possible, all 2020 MacBook Pros have a 3.5mm headphone jack on the right side. Both the Intel versions released in May as well as the M1 versions released in October.

The headset jack has 3 black lines around it and fits perfectly into the adapter, and should replicate speaker audio and headphone microphones - unless I'm wrong?

Correct.

Can you tell us what you see then in the Sound settings in System Preferences for output? Are the Headphones plugged in?

For example, I see this:

and when I plug in an adapter:

The USB PnP device is the headphone jack adapter when Headphones are plugged in to it.

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Answer 2

Tim Mc. Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 4, 2022 8:36 AM in response to Phil0124

The Macbook Pro 2020 13" has 4 USB C ports and no built-in 3.5mm jack, unfortunately. The adapter doesn't make anything show up in Sound settings for output or input.

I'm using the official Apple adapter:

Buy USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter - Apple

"The USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect devices that use a standard 3.5 mm audio plug — like headphones or speakers — to your USB-C devices."

The headset jack has 3 black lines around it and fits perfectly into the adapter, and should replicate speaker audio and headphone microphones - unless I'm wrong?

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Answer 3

Apr 4, 2022 7:46 AM in response to Tim Mc.

If you go to Settings->Sound->Output, is the USB-C headphone jack visible there?

Any reason you don't use the builtin 3.5mm headphone jack?

Can you tell us which adapter exactly you bought? Did it say it was compatible with Macs?

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Answer 4

Tim Mc. Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 4, 2022 10:06 AM in response to Phil0124

Ok just... wow.

You're right.

It's above the 2 Thunderbolt ports on the right side.

Totally missed it.

Plugged in my gaming headset and it instantly found it, mic now set as default.

Appreciate it!

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Using Standard PC Headset w/Microphone on a new Macbook Pro 2020 with 3.5mm USB C Port Adapter

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