Questions & Answers for Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
138 Questions + 235 Answers
138 Questions from the Community
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Will this adapter allow me to connect an LG 27UK850 monitor (with USB-C) to my MacBook Pro (13", Early 2015) using a Thunderbolt 2 cable?
External Display to MacBook Pro Early 2015
- Asked by Philip B from Rancho Murieta
- 22/04/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this adapter allow me to connect an LG 27UK850 monitor (with USB-C) to my MacBook Pro (13", Early 2015) using a Thunderbolt 2 cable?)
AnswerNo (except read below). The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter is only for Thunderbolt devices.
The LG 27UK850 is not a Thunderbolt display. It has 3 inputs: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode (not Thunderbolt).
The USB-C port of the LG 27UK850 cannot be used to power the MacBook Pro 2015. It can be used to power the MacBook or a MacBook Pro 2016 or later (but only provides 60W where the MacBook Pro might consume more during heavy usage).
For video output to the display, the simplest connection to your MacBook Pro 2015 to the LG 27UK850 can be done with a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable (not included). To use the USB downstream ports of the display (for keyboard or mouse or thumb drive or whatever you like), you need to connect a USB-C to USB-A cable (not included). The downstream ports will work as USB 3.0 (5Gbps) in this configuration.
There is a way to get video over USB-C to the LG 27UK850 from the MacBook Pro 2015. Connect a Thunderbolt 3 device that has two Thunderbolt 3 ports (such as a Thunderbolt 3 dock or RAID drive) to the MacBook Pro 2015 using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. The second Thunderbolt 3 port of the Thunderbolt 3 device can be used to connect a USB-C cable to the LG 27UK850 for video and USB data.
Note that if you're using USB-C for video, then the downstream USB ports of the LG 27UK850 can only work as USB 2.0 (480 Mbps). This is because a 4K 60Hz display requires all four super-speed lines of the USB-C cable for the DisplayPort signal.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 23/04/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this adapter allow me to connect an LG 27UK850 monitor (with USB-C) to my MacBook Pro (13", Early 2015) using a Thunderbolt 2 cable?)
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Does this adapter provide power to a MacBook Pro 2016 when connected to an Elegato Thunderbolt 2 dock? I want to power my MacBook Pro this way. Thanks
I use this adapter connected to a Thunderbolt 2 cable which is directly connected to an Elgato Thunderbolt 2 dock. The dock is powered by an AC adapter. Can I power my MacBook Pro 2016 this way without its external power adapter? Thanks
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Will this adapter allow to me connect a second screen to my Mac?
- Asked by Zach H from Rathdrum
- 10/03/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this adapter allow to me connect a second screen to my Mac?)
AnswerOnly if it is a Thunderbolt display. So most likely no. It will not allow you to connect a second screen.
- Answered by Saul B from Pittsburgh
- 17/03/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this adapter allow to me connect a second screen to my Mac?)
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Will the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter work with windows 10 or do i need to buy a different adapter?
I bought the apple adapter and it doesn't seem to be connecting to my HP Spectre x360, I'm told the "Thunderbolt device functionality may be limited" when i plug it in.
- Asked by Jason P from Grapevine
- 19/04/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter work with windows 10 or do i need to buy a different adapter?)
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is this what I will need to connect my iPhone to my MacBook
- Asked by Rebecca B from Watertown
- 21/02/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (is this what I will need to connect my iPhone to my MacBook)
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Will this work for connecting my Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Audio Interface (Thunderbolt 2) Along with a USB-C cable, to my 2017 iMac?
- Asked by Jaret A from Kitchener
- 19/03/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this work for connecting my Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Audio Interface (Thunderbolt 2) Along with a USB-C cable, to my 2017 iMac?)
AnswerConnect the Apollo's Thunderbolt 2 cable into the Thunderbolt port on this adapter. Then connect the USB-C port of the adapter into the iMac's USB-C port. Easy Peasy.
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Does the Apple Thunderbolt Display charge the new MacBook Pro 2016 over this adapter or should I use an external power supply for the computer?
- Asked by Martin V from Eindhoven
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Does the Apple Thunderbolt Display charge the new MacBook Pro 2016 over this adapter or should I use an external power supply for the computer?)
Best Answer:No. The thunderbolt display does not provide power back over it's thunderbolt connection.
The thunderbolt display can only provide power via its Magsafe connector, but that can't be used to provide power to the USB-C ports on the MacBook Pro's. (unless some sort of MagSafe to USB-C adapter comes along, but I have not heard of such thing yet.) -
Can I use this to connect a Samsung T5 SSD to my Mac Pro 2013?
Hi, I have a Mac Pro (Late 2013) with 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports, I need extra hard drive space and would like to take advantage of the 20 Gbps Thunderbolt speeds. I see the Samsung T5 SSD is USB-C.
So if I buy this adapter will it connect a Mac Pro to a Samsung T5?
I know similar questions have been asked but I couldn't see a clear Yes or No answer...- Asked by Mark L from Ballina
- 30/01/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I use this to connect a Samsung T5 SSD to my Mac Pro 2013?)
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Best Answer:
I have to disagree with the answers above. I have succefully connected an old Cinema Display to a current 2016 MacBook Pro 15" (touchbar). The path is DVI (from monitor) to HDMI adaptor, into the HDMI input of a USB C hub. Works without problem, including sleep/wake, mirroring and dual display.
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Thunderbolt 2 port to connect to an external drive which is Type C based
Dear Professional, I just bought a Samsung T5 external SSD it is a USB type C based port. I am using mac book pro early 2015 version which only provided with thunderbolt 2. I would like to connect and transfer data with high speed, so I wish to use the thunderbolt 2 port on my Mac to the external hard drive which is USB type c based. Is that any solution for it?
Thank you!- Asked by Lim W from New Taipei City
- 22/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Thunderbolt 2 port to connect to an external drive which is Type C based)
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Can I use the apple "USB-C adaptor to Thunderbolt" to daisy chain a "Thunderbolt to HDMI" (moshi), or even a "Thunderbolt to VGA" (apple) adaptor?
I'm trying to connect to the standard montitors and projectors that my customers have, but I also have a Cinema Display at my home. So I purchased a "USB-C to Thunderbolt" to connect to my cinema display, and thought I could daisy chain my thunderbolt to VGA or HDMI adaptors to connect to customers projectors and monitors. I'm having a hard time and am wondering if there is any software I can use, or maybe I'm doing something wrong. Otherwise, all my "thunderbolt to xxx" adaptors are garbage and I have to buy new USB- to HDMI, etc.
thanks!- Asked by Franklin F from Costa Mesa
- 18/04/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I use the apple "USB-C adaptor to Thunderbolt" to daisy chain a "Thunderbolt to HDMI" (moshi), or even a "Thunderbolt to VGA" (apple) adaptor?)
Best Answer:No, you cannot.
- Answered by Ben R from San Francisco
- 26/05/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I use the apple "USB-C adaptor to Thunderbolt" to daisy chain a "Thunderbolt to HDMI" (moshi), or even a "Thunderbolt to VGA" (apple) adaptor?)
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Answer
Yes, you can, according to Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".
However, this is only useful for Thunderbolt networking (read Apple support document HT206909 "Networking two Mac systems directly with a Thunderbolt 3 cable requires Thunderbolt-enabled hosts") and Target Disk Mode (read Apple support document HT201462 "Use target disk mode to share files between two Mac computers").
The 2017 iMac does not support Target Display Mode (read Apple support document HT204592 "Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode") so you cannot use the 2017 iMac as a display for the MacBook Pro.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 13/12/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (does this work for connecting a 2015 macbook pro 13 retina to a 2017 5k imac?)
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eGPU Akitio Thunder 3 to MacBook Air
i just wanted to know is it possible to connect the TH3 to the TH3 port on the back of a eGPU and have a male TH2 to male TH2 connect to the macbook air? would that work?
- Asked by Shaun J from Shailer Park
- 27/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (eGPU Akitio Thunder 3 to MacBook Air)
AnswerThat should work, according to the Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".
The Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter can be used to connect Thunderbolt 2 devices to Thunderbolt 3 computers, or Thunderbolt 3 devices to Thunderbolt 2 computers.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 19/12/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (eGPU Akitio Thunder 3 to MacBook Air)
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Can this adapter be used to connect a USB C monitor to a Mac Mini (which only has USB A and Thunderbolt ports)?
In particular, I'd like to connect an AOC i1601fwux monitor which would need both power and video from the single USB C cable.
- Asked by Michael P from Waban
- 28/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can this adapter be used to connect a USB C monitor to a Mac Mini (which only has USB A and Thunderbolt ports)?)
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Is there a way to connect an external TB2 disk to a new MacBook? When using this connector a warning: this MacBook doesn't support TB2 devices appears
I have several several TB2 external disks with USB-3 option that at least can connect; BUT I have a 12 TB TB2-only connectivity that I cannot connect. Do I have an option with my new MacBook to connect to the 12TB TB2.
Can a new MacBook "PRO" connect to a TB2 device? What about an iMac?- Asked by Alejandro G from South Padre Island
- 21/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Is there a way to connect an external TB2 disk to a new MacBook? When using this connector a warning: this MacBook doesn't support TB2 devices appears)
AnswerThe MacBook has USB-C ports that only support USB, DisplayPort 1.2, and HDMI 1.4 (using passive adapters). Active adapters can convert DisplayPort to VGA, Dual Link DVI, and HDMI 2.0.
USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 devices may include a billboard USB device or USB Power Delivery (PD) information that can tell the computer what kind of device it is. This way, your MacBook can tell that the device is Thunderbolt 2 and give you that information that it won't work.
The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter will work to connect Thunderbolt 2 devices/computers to Thunderbolt 3 devices/computers which includes the MacBook Pro, iMac, and your TB2 disks.
There is no way to connect a Thunderbolt device to a computer that doesn't have Thunderbolt.
There is no way to add Thunderbolt to a computer (unless it's a PC with Thunderbolt add-in card support).
What you can do is transfer the hard disk inside the TB2 disk to an enclosure that uses USB.
Or you can connect the TB2 disk to a computer with Thunderbolt, enable file sharing on that computer, and connect to that computer from your MacBook.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 19/12/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Is there a way to connect an external TB2 disk to a new MacBook? When using this connector a warning: this MacBook doesn't support TB2 devices appears)
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Can i connect a wacom cintiq with this adapter to a new iMac ? I used to connect my Wacom cintiq 27 hd touch, with a thunderbolt 2 to my old iMac
- Asked by Ignacio Rafael B from Texcoco
- 9/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can i connect a wacom cintiq with this adapter to a new iMac ? I used to connect my Wacom cintiq 27 hd touch, with a thunderbolt 2 to my old iMac)
AnswerYou did not connect this with Thunderbolt 2. You connected it with mini DisplayPort. Same connector. Different signals.
The Cintiq 27QHD touch uses DisplayPort for the display connection and USB for the peripheral connections.
The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter does not pass DisplayPort signals. It is only for Thunderbolt devices.
The iMac has Thunderbolt 3 ports which can also output USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI. You need a USB-C (DisplayPort alt mode) to DisplayPort cable or USB-C to DisplayPort adapter.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 10/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can i connect a wacom cintiq with this adapter to a new iMac ? I used to connect my Wacom cintiq 27 hd touch, with a thunderbolt 2 to my old iMac)
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Will I get USB 3.1 speeds (10Gbps) if I'm using this in a Thunderbolt 2 port?
If I have a USB 3.1 enclosure holding an M.2 SSD (capable of 10Gbps speeds) and plug this adapter into my 2015 MacBook Pro's Thunderbolt 2 port, will I get the full 10Gbps speeds? The M.2 is capable of 1.5Gbps write and 2.5Gbps read.
- Asked by Eric H from Randolph
- 16/11/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Will I get USB 3.1 speeds (10Gbps) if I'm using this in a Thunderbolt 2 port?)
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Best Answer:
The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter is for Thunderbolt devices only.
The Samsung Portable T5 2TB USB 3.1 SSD is a USB device. It comes with a USB-C to USB-A connector so you can connect it to one of the iMac's USB ports.
The iMac's USB ports are USB 3.0 allowing up to 5 Gb/s which might get you up to 430 MB/s from the T5.
To add USB 3.1 gen 2 (up to 10 Gb/s) to the iMac, you could use a Thunderbolt 3 dock attached to the iMac using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. You would connect the T5 to the second Thunderbolt 3 port of the Thunderbolt 3 dock which could allow you to get up to 540 MB/s from the T5.
A Thunderbolt 3 dock to get one USB 3.1 gen 2 port is not worth the expense.
Another option is a Thunderbolt 2 PCIe enclosure (or Thunderbolt 3 PCIe enclosure plus Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter) with a USB 3.1 gen 2 PCIe card which would get you at least two USB 3.1 gen 2 ports. But that is still expensive.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 30/09/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (I'm looking to get a Samsung Portable T5 2TB USB 3.1 SSD and have an iMac with tb2 ports would this adapter work?)