The Apple T2 (Apple's internal name is T8012) is an ARM system on a chip (SoC) tasked with providing security and controller features to Apple's Intel-based Macintosh computers. It is a 64-bit ARMv8 SoC and runs bridgeOS. T2 has its own RAM and is essentially a special embedded controller of its own, running in parallel to and responding to requests by the main computer that the user interacts with.

The main application processor in T2 is a variant of the Apple A10, which is a 64-bit ARMv8.1-A based CPU. It is manufactured by TSMC on their 16 nm process, just as the A10. Analysis of the die reveals a nearly identical CPU macro as the A10 which reveals a four core design for its main application processor, with two large high performance cores, "Hurricane", and two smaller efficiency cores, "Zephyr". Analysis also reveals the same amount of RAM controllers, but a much reduced GPU facility; three blocks, only a quarter the size compared to A10.

The die measures 9.6 mm × 10.8 mm, a die size of 104 mm², which amounts to about 80% of the size of the A10.

It serves as a co-processor to its Intel based host, providing of facilities for handling a variety of functions not present in the host. It is designed to stay active even if the main computer is in a halted low power mode. The main application processor in T2 is running an operating system called bridgeOS.

The secondary processor in T2 is an 32-bit ARMv7-A based CPU called Secure Enclave Processor (SEP) which has the task of generating and storing encryption keys. It is running an operating system called "sepOS" based on the L4 microkernel.

The T2 module is built as a package on a package (PoP) together with its own LP-DDR4 RAM. Mac configurations with 1 TB of SSD storage or greater receive 2 GB LP-DDR4, while lower storage configurations receive 1 GB.

The bridgeOS of Apple T2 is stored in a firmware partition of the Mac's built-in SSD, which is hidden in macOS and Windows.

The T2 communicates with the host via a USB-attached Ethernet port.