Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a hybrid interface for serial and parallel communication. An embodiment of a method includes initializing a first apparatus for transmission of data to or reception of data from a second apparatus, switching an interface for the first apparatus to a first mode for a parallel interface, the parallel interface including a first plurality of pins, and transmitting or receiving parallel data in the first mode via the first plurality of pins. The method further includes switching the interface of the first apparatus to a second mode for a serial interface, the serial interface including a second plurality of pins, the first plurality of pins and the second plurality of pins both including an overlapping set of pins, and transmitting or receiving serial data in the second mode via the second plurality of pins.