The Touch Bar (currently available on the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro) is a touch-based OLED bar that replaces the row of function keys on your keyboard. Depending on which app is active on your screen, the bar's options change to reflect the best controls for that program. EveryMac.com's Touch Bar MacBook Pro FAQ (13/15/16-Inch, 2016-2020) covers software, differences, performance, battery, hacks and more.

Touch Bar MacBook Pro FAQ @ EveryMac.com

Update Published December 12, 2020

Also see: MacBook Pro Specs | All Mac Q&As

EveryMac.com's 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro Q&A answers questions about the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 MacBook Pro models that are crafted from a single piece of aluminum, have a 13-Inch, 15-Inch, or 16-Inch display, and have Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Most 13-Inch models (A1706, A1989, A2159, A2251, and A2289); all 15-Inch models (A1707, A1990); and all 16-Inch models (A2141); have a 'Touch Bar' that replaces the traditional function keys with a touch-sensitive control that adapts for different applications and provides Touch ID login support.

Even though early entry-level 13-Inch models (A1708) do not have a 'Touch Bar' -- and instead have traditional function keys -- EveryMac.com has grouped this model with the 'Touch Bar' line for the sake of Q&A reader convenience.

Questions range from 'What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the models replaced?' to 'How do you upgrade the storage in the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible?' and include everything in between.

Please note that 13-Inch '4 TB 3 2020' MacBook Pro and 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models are currently shipping. All other models have been discontinued, but this Q&A also covers them in detail.

The earlier 'Retina' MacBook Pro models do not have a name on the display bezel (they only say 'MacBook Pro' on the bottom of the notebook). They also have a full complement of ports.

These 13' and 15' notebooks are model numbers A1398, A1425 and A1502.

Later 13' MacBook Pro models (2020+) look practically identical, but use a completely different internal architecture. They can be identified by the A2338 model number.

EveryMac.com offers a separate 'Retina' MacBook Pro Q&A and Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A that cover these earlier and later models, respectively.

Additionally, EveryMac.com has a separate 'Unibody' MacBook Q&A, 'Unibody' MacBook Pro Q&A and Original MacBook Pro Q&A, that cover even earlier models.

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Most Frequently Asked Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&As:

What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 15-Inch '2019' models replaced?

How fast are the MacBook Pro 16-Inch '2019' models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?

What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?

What are the major differences between the Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models? Which is ideal for my needs?

What SSD storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch (2020) and 16-Inch (2019) MacBook Pro models? Which is best suited for my needs?

Macbook Pro Touch Bar Apps

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?

What is Thunderbolt 3? What is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3? What Thunderbolt 3 adapters and docks are available?

What type of power connector do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Is it compatible with 'MagSafe' power connectors? Are third-party options available?

What is an eGPU? What is the advantage of an eGPU? Do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models support one? Which is best for me?

Software Compatibility Q&As:

What version of macOS is pre-installed on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?

How do you install software on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro without an optical drive?

How do you transfer data from an older Mac to a 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters requred?

How do you restore the operating system on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?

Can the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro run iPad apps?

Can the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro run Windows or Linux?

Comparison & Performance Q&As (Current):

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models and the '2019' models replaced?

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch (2020) and 16-Inch (2019) MacBook Pro models? Which is best suited for my needs?

How fast are the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the 13-Inch models replaced?

What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?

What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 15-Inch '2019' models replaced?

How fast are the MacBook Pro 16-Inch '2019' models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?

What are the major differences between the Retina MacBook and 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?

What are the major differences between the Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models? Which is ideal for my needs?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

Comparison & Performance Q&As (2019 - Discontinued):

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?

What are all the differences between the '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 'Mid-2018' models replaced?

How fast are the '2019' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?

What are the major differences between the Retina MacBook and 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2018 - Discontinued):

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?

What are all the differences between the 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models and the 'Mid-2017' models replaced?

How fast are the 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2017 - Discontinued):

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?

What are all the differences between the 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models and the 'Late 2016' models replaced?

How fast are the 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced? How fast are they compared to the non-Pro MacBook?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

Comparison & Performance Q&As (Late 2016 - Discontinued):

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models?

What are all the differences between the 13-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models? What are the differences between these models and the 'Early 2015' models replaced?

What are all the differences between the 15-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models? What are the differences between these models and the 'Mid-2015' models replaced?

How fast are the 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

Upgrades & Expansion Q&As:

What custom processor options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Do they have a processor that can be upgraded?

Best Macbook Pro Touch Bar Apps

What type of RAM do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Which RAM upgrade options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the RAM?

What SSD storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?

What external storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters required?

What is an eGPU? What is the advantage of an eGPU? Do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models support one? Which is best for me?

Battery, Power & Connectivity Q&As:

What is the 'real-world' battery life of the 'Late 2016' Touch Bar MacBook Pro models? How does the battery life compare to the models replaced?

What is the 'real-world' battery life of the 'Mid-2017' Touch Bar MacBook Pro models? How does the battery life compare to the models replaced?

How do you replace the battery in the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible?

What is Thunderbolt 3? What is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3? What Thunderbolt 3 adapters and docks are available?

What type of power connector do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Is it compatible with 'MagSafe' power connectors? Are third-party options available?

What external storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters required?

How do you use an SD card with the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? What is the best option?

How do you connect the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro to a wired Ethernet network? Is it even possible?

Design, Configuration, & Purchasing Q&As:

Who designed the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro?

Where can I buy a 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro?

What are the custom configuration options for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?

What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?

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