Questions & Answers for Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
137 Questions + 233 Answers
137 Questions from the Community
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Will this adapter allow me to connect a blackmagic intensity thunderbolt to a brand new imac? Thunderbolt 2 output on the intensity and Thunderbolt 3?
Will this adapter allow me to connect a blackmagic intensity thunderbolt to a brand new imac? Thunderbolt 2 output on the intensity and Thunderbolt 3 on the IMAC? I am habving problems with my video feed blipping. or going black and its fine on the camera.
No answers yet
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Answer
This should be possible. Thunderbolt 2 allows 20 Gbps. A 4K 60 Hz display takes about 16 Gbps over Thunderbolt. This leaves 4 Gbps for everything else (for transmit, and up to 20 Gbps for receive).
That will reduce the write speed of a USB 3.0 device (normally 5 Gbps) or a USB 3.1 gen 2 device connected to one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports (normally 10 Gbps). The read speed should not be affected.
You may wish to connect the 4K display directly to your MacBook Pro 2013 instead of the dock so that the write speeds aren't affected.
According to apple technical support document HT206587 "Using 4K displays, 5K displays, and Ultra HD TVs with your Mac", the MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) doesn't support 4K at 60 Hz unless it is a MST display?
You did not specify if your MacBook Pro is 13 inch or 15 inch, or if it is early 2013 or late 2013. Your MacBook Pro may be limited to 4K at 30 Hz. In that case, the display will use about 8 Gbps over Thunderbolt, allowing 12 Gbps for transmitting.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 6/09/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I connect a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock to a Thunderbolt 2 MacBook Pro 2013 with this adapter? The dock will have a 4K screen, keyboard etc.)
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Does this work with the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display? And all functions work? (camera, speakers, brightness control, USB, etc).
And does it work with the 12" Macbook as well, to connect to and Apple Thunderbolt display?
- Asked by Michael C from Seattle
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this work with the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display? And all functions work? (camera, speakers, brightness control, USB, etc).)
AnswerSee the Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".
You can connect Thunderbolt devices. The 12" MacBook does not have Thunderbolt.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 20/12/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Does this work with the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display? And all functions work? (camera, speakers, brightness control, USB, etc).)
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Can this connect a tunderbold3 device to a macbook pro 2015?
I have a 8 in 1 usb hub that has thunderbolt 3 and I haven't noticed when i bought it that it has thunderbolt 3, so I would need and adapter to connect that to a macbook pro 2015? Would this work? I am asking because from photos doesn't seem so, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
- Asked by Vrinceanu V
- 3/02/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can this connect a tunderbold3 device to a macbook pro 2015?)
AnswerThe MacBook Pro 2015 has Thunderbolt 2. I was able to use this adapter to connect a Thunderbolt 3 hard drive to a MacBook Pro 2015 and it worked.
The document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter" on Apple's support website lists compatibility information.
It will not work if your device is one of these:
1) A Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) bus-powered device. Your device needs to have it's own power cord.
2) A USB-C device that doesn't have Thunderbolt. Note that a USB-C connector does not mean it's Thunderbolt 3.
Thunderbolt 3 uses a USB-C connector and supports USB 3.1 gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3 protocols, as well as DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4.
The MacBook with USB-C connector (not MacBookPro 2016) does not have Thunderbolt, but it does support USB 3.1 gen 1, DisplayPort 1.2, and HDMI 1.4.
You did not state which USB hub you have. I think your USB hub might not have Thunderbolt at all. A USB hub wouldn't include Thunderbolt unless it also has ports that are not USB. Actually, USB-C docks can have non-USB ports too.
If you're hub does not have Thunderbolt, then the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter will not help, unless you also have a Thunderbolt 3 dock which has a USB-C port that you can connect your USB hub to.
I am unaware of any Thunderbolt 2 to USB (not Thunderbolt 3) adapters except for Thunderbolt 2 docks. Thunderbolt 2 docks usually include USB 3.0 ports that are USB-A, so in that case you would need a USB-C male to USB-A male cable for your hub (only if the cable that connects your hub to the computer can be replaced, otherwise you would need a USB-C female to USB-A male adapter but I don't think any of those comply with the USB Type-C specification so I would stay away from them).- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 10/02/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can this connect a tunderbold3 device to a macbook pro 2015?)
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Can MacBook Pro (2016) models be charged from a 3rd party Thunderbolt 2 monitor (like the LG 34UC98-W) through this?
Does the design of this adapter allow power to come back from a Thunderbolt 2 device if that device supports sending power? Or does the adapter itself make that impossible.
Thanks,
Colin- Asked by Colin F from Toronto
- 18/11/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Can MacBook Pro (2016) models be charged from a 3rd party Thunderbolt 2 monitor (like the LG 34UC98-W) through this?)
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I have a hard drive with a Thunderbolt 3(USB-C) cable and need to convert to a Thunderbolt 2 to plug my Macbook Pro Retina (2013). How can I do this?
I basically need the opposite of this cable. ( A USB-C female to Thunderbolt 2 male) Can anyone help me figure out how I can connect these? Is this possible?
Note: I have Glyph Blackbox Pro 8TBAnswerThe Glyph Blackbox Pro 8TB is a USB 3.1 gen 2 device that has a USB-C connector. It is not a Thunderbolt device.
You need a USB-C to USB-A cable to connect it to your MacBook Pro's USB port. The MacBook Pro's USB port is only 5 Gb/sec though but that is more than enough for the 8TB drive.
Since you don't have a Thunderbolt 3 device, you may ignore the following:
The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter works in either direction but it is only for Thunderbolt devices.
It allows a Thunderbolt 3 computer to use Thunderbolt 2 devices.
It also allows a Thunderbolt 2 computer to use Thunderbolt 3 devices.
You need a Thunderbolt 2 cable to connect your MacBook Pro to the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
If System Information.app says a Thunderbolt 3 device is not supported, then you may need to use a Thunderbolt 3 enabler patch "tb3-enabler".- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 12/03/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (I have a hard drive with a Thunderbolt 3(USB-C) cable and need to convert to a Thunderbolt 2 to plug my Macbook Pro Retina (2013). How can I do this?)
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Monitor compatibility
I have a apple monitor with a thunderbolt 2 cable and a new PC with a thunderbolt 3 port. Will this adapter work to connect them?
- Asked by Shelby K from Marietta
- 6/02/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Monitor compatibility)
AnswerIt should. The document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter" on Apple's support website says that the adapter will allow Thunderbolt displays to work with the Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro 2016.
I've used the adapter on a PC to connect a Thunderbolt 2 dock.
I've read that people are able to use Thunderbolt displays on PC's that have Thunderbolt 2 ports.
Apple says (in HT204154) that Mac computers can use a Thunderbolt display in Windows.
Since the adapter works on both Mac or PC products to allow connecting Thunderbolt 2 devices, and that Thunderbolt displays are Thunderbolt 2 devices, and that Thunderbolt displays work in Windows, then it should work.
Actually, I found a video on youtube that showed an Apple Thunderbolt Display connected to a PC with a Thunderbolt 3 add-in card using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 10/02/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Monitor compatibility)
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Can you daisy chain thunderbolt 2 drives?
I have a drive with two ports that has another drive with two ports connected and that second drive again another drive. In short: daisy chained drives (one is used as Time Machine drive). All their own power brick). This works fine now, but will the adapter also allow this daisy chain? So one thunderbolt 2 drive will get the adapter and there it will have daisy chained Thunderbolt 2 drives.
Will this work as it works now?- Asked by F V
- 6/06/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can you daisy chain thunderbolt 2 drives?)
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I have a Thunderbolt Display and will be ordering the new MacBook Pro. Will this adapter allow me to use my thunderbolt display with the new MBP?
- Asked by Adam S from St. John's
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (I have a Thunderbolt Display and will be ordering the new MacBook Pro. Will this adapter allow me to use my thunderbolt display with the new MBP?)
AnswerYes.
- Answered by Douglas B from San Jose
- 18/11/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (I have a Thunderbolt Display and will be ordering the new MacBook Pro. Will this adapter allow me to use my thunderbolt display with the new MBP?)
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If I connect this adapter to a USB-C port of LG 43UD79-B monitor (displayport over usb-c), can I use my Mac Pro 2013 (thunderbolt 2)?
- Asked by Jungdon C from Ann Arbor
- 14/10/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (If I connect this adapter to a USB-C port of LG 43UD79-B monitor (displayport over usb-c), can I use my Mac Pro 2013 (thunderbolt 2)?)
AnswerThe Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not pass DisplayPort signals. It can pass a Thunderbolt encoded DisplayPort stream over Thunderbolt to a Thunderbolt display, but the LG 43UD79-B is not a Thunderbolt display.
The LG 43UD79-B has a DisplayPort input that you can use instead. For the USB-C port, it may be possible to use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable (I think they're reversible) but you wouldn't be able to use the USB features of the display (which might include audio, unless audio is handled over DisplayPort).
For a display that has only a USB-C input, you can use a DisplayPort to USB-C converter. These don't exist, except as a PCIe card such as the Sunix UPD2018 or Delock 89582 for USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode. A Thunderbolt add-in card such as the GC-ALPINE RIDGE can also work to convert DisplayPort to USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode for USB-C displays, and can also convert DisplayPort and dual DisplayPort to Thunderbolt for Thunderbolt displays. PCIe cards require power from a PCIe slot, but the slot doesn't need to be connected to the same computer to support DisplayPort conversion. If you also want to use the other features of the cards (USB or Thunderbolt controller) then the card needs to be in a PCIe slot that is accessible by the computer. A Thunderbolt card must be placed in a PCIe slot that supports a Thunderbolt add-in card only if you want to use the USB controller or PCIe transmission over Thunderbolt. Conversion of DisplayPort to USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode or to Thunderbolt does not require a PCIe slot that supports Thunderbolt.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 15/10/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (If I connect this adapter to a USB-C port of LG 43UD79-B monitor (displayport over usb-c), can I use my Mac Pro 2013 (thunderbolt 2)?)
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Will this also deliver power from an Apple thunderbolt display?
...and would that be sufficient to charge the MBP?
- Asked by Ben D
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this also deliver power from an Apple thunderbolt display?)
AnswerNo, the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not pass power to charge the MacBook Pro.
Read Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 18/03/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this also deliver power from an Apple thunderbolt display?)
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Answer
Yes. See the Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".
- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 20/12/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this work for Thunderbolt 1 devices too? - Eg I have a Thunderbolt Audio Interface)
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Can I daisy chain with the TB2 to TB3 adapter?
Can I daisy chain a Lacie D2 w/ TB2 to a TB3 external hard drive with the apple adapter? I would like the keep a TB3 connection open.
- Asked by Ian N from Vacaville
- 9/11/2017
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I daisy chain with the TB2 to TB3 adapter?)
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Will this work with a monitor (e.g. Dell P2715Q 4K Monitor) that has a Mini Display Port?
mDP is the same connector as TB2 and you could drive mDP displays from TB2
- Asked by Steven R from Warriewood
- 29/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this work with a monitor (e.g. Dell P2715Q 4K Monitor) that has a Mini Display Port?)
AnswerThe Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter is only for Thunderbolt devices. It will not pass DisplayPort signals.
You need a USB-C to DisplayPort cable.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 17/03/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this work with a monitor (e.g. Dell P2715Q 4K Monitor) that has a Mini Display Port?)
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Is it possible to use THUNDERBOLT 2 cable with this adapter to act as thunderbolt 3 extender?
The TB2 extender is a 30M fiber. The better is possible to use the exiting corning thunderbolt optical cable for thunderbolt 3. Thanks.
- Asked by Yan M from Brooklyn
- 1/12/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Is it possible to use THUNDERBOLT 2 cable with this adapter to act as thunderbolt 3 extender?)
AnswerProbably, but Thunderbolt 3 devices on the other end will be limited to Thunderbolt 2 speeds.
- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 8/06/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Is it possible to use THUNDERBOLT 2 cable with this adapter to act as thunderbolt 3 extender?)
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I have a thunderbolt display and I want to connect it to the new MacBook Pro with USB - C. Is this the correct adapter?
I ask this question because my thunderbolt display has a power and thunderbolt 2 adapter in one. What do I do with the Power adapter?
AnswerYes you can. You'll leave the power connector unconnected, since it cannot be used to power the new MacBook Pro.
Read Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 18/03/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (I have a thunderbolt display and I want to connect it to the new MacBook Pro with USB - C. Is this the correct adapter?)
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Can I daisy chain two Thunderbolt displays to the MacBook Pro using the USB-C Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter? MBP->Adapter->TBD-(chain)->TBD?
Does the new USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter allow this chaining? My old MBP is connected to two Thunderbolt Displays in a daisy chain like this, and I want to continue the same approach
Best Answer:Confirming (I bought the adapter and tried it) this indeed works
- Answered by Richard J from Raleigh
- 4/05/2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I daisy chain two Thunderbolt displays to the MacBook Pro using the USB-C Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter? MBP->Adapter->TBD-(chain)->TBD?)
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Does this adapter also include the display port video pass-through?
I have some displays, for example the Apple LED Cinema Display that use DisplayPort. I could plug them into my previous MBP Thunderbolt 2 port. Will the same functionality exist with Thunderbolt 3/USB C ports and this adapter?
- Asked by Brian S from Los Altos
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this adapter also include the display port video pass-through?)
AnswerNo. See the Apple support document HT207266 "Connect devices and displays with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter".
Use a USB-C to MiniDisplay Port cable instead.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 20/12/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Does this adapter also include the display port video pass-through?)
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Can this adapter be used on a Windows platform/OS?
- Asked by Otis W from Brampton
- 28/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate (Can this adapter be used on a Windows platform/OS?)
Best Answer:If you are attempting to connect a Thunderbolt 3 device to a Thunderbolt 2 computer, or to connect a Thunderbolt 2 device to a Thunderbolt 3 computer, then yes, this adapter will work regardless of platform/OS.
- Answered by Thomas N from Aurora
- 30/10/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can this adapter be used on a Windows platform/OS?)