Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

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  • Overview

    The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter lets you connect Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices — such as external hard drives and Thunderbolt docks — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro.

    As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port and macOS Sierra.

    In addition, it can be used to connect Thunderbolt-enabled displays — such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display and LG Thunderbolt 2 displays — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro. However, using this adapter with an Apple Thunderbolt Display requires a power source, because the display does not provide power through the adapter.

    Note: This adapter does not support DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays. For more information, visit the Apple Support page for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter.

    What’s in the Box

    Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

    Tech Specs

    Thunderbolt 2

    Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)

    USB-C

  • 2.5 Average
    2 out of 5 stars
    Number of stars Percentage Number of reviews
    5 Stars(Read all reviews)
    22%
    		47reviews
    4 Stars(Read all reviews)
    10%
    		21reviews
    3 Stars(Read all reviews)
    2%
    		5reviews
    2 Stars(Read all reviews)
    4%
    		9reviews
    1 Star(Read all reviews)
    61%
    		130reviews
    Write a review
    • 1.0 out of 5 stars

      Problems with chained displays, waking up from sleep / restarts

      This adapter does NOT duplicate the functionality of the Thunderbolt ports on MacBook Airs and legacy MacBook Pros when daisy-chaining accessories together. For This adapter does NOT duplicate the functionality of the Thunderbolt ports on MacBook Airs and legacy MacBook Pros when daisy-chaining accessories together. For example, I have a external hard drive chained to a DisplayPort monitor. On my old MacBook Air, the two would be recognized right away. I could wake up my computer from sleep (clamshell shut, hooked to external monitor and keyboard / mouse) and the hard drive would spin up and the monitor would turn on. With my new MacBook Pro and this adapter, however, waking up the computer from sleep, with the exact same connections, and the hard drive turns on but the monitor doesn't. If I open the lid of the laptop, then magically both displays will start working. Similarly, if I try to restart the computer in clamshell mode when the monitor is recognized and working (again, daisy-chained to the hard drive), upon being restart the monitor isn't recognized. If I try to open the lid of the laptop, then the MacBook Pro's own display won't even turn on, making me have to restart it. In short, this adapter doesn't work unless you have the most basic Thunderbolt setup. Don't expect anything daisy-chained to work. Don't expect restarts to work. Don't expect waking up from sleep to have your plugged-in accessories to work the same as when you put your computer to sleep.

      • Written by Josh H from Washington

      481 of 552 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?Problems with chained displays, waking up from sleep / restarts

    • 5.0 out of 5 stars

      Thunderbolt Display

      Just brought this home to use on my new late-2016 MacBook Pro 13. This adaptor allowed me to use my Thunderbolt display. Very happy!

      • Written by Gregory H from San Diego

      310 of 391 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?Thunderbolt Display

    • 1.0 out of 5 stars

      Doesn't work with my Dell P2715Q 4k on mini-displayport

      Tried multiple mode (SST, MST Seconday) neither is working. it just does not detect my display at all. worthless for 2016 MacBook Pro. returning tomorrow.

      • Written by Gonghua D from Mason

      383 of 637 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?Doesn't work with my Dell P2715Q 4k on mini-displayport

    • 1.0 out of 5 stars

      I feel so screwed over.

      Of all the overpriced Apple cables that I own (and I have A LOT of them), this is the most useless one. It doesn't work if both devices you're trying to connect Of all the overpriced Apple cables that I own (and I have A LOT of them), this is the most useless one. It doesn't work if both devices you're trying to connect don't have their own power source. Which means it won't work on most external harddrives. Since that's the only thing I needed it for, I'm feel cheated. There should at least be a big red sticker on the package stating how this thing doesn't provide power. I can't believe I paid 55 euro's for this. I know it's been a long long time since Apple actually cared about its customers. But this a whole new level of disrespecting people. It makes me want to quite Apple products altogether.

      • Written by Jeroen H from Amsterdam

      2 of 3 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?I feel so screwed over.

    • 1.0 out of 5 stars

      Adapters are garbage and should be pulled/discontinued

      I have x2 of these, one purchased last week and another purchased a year ago. Neither of these will connect my G-RAID storage device to my mac pro 2013 (Sierra I have x2 of these, one purchased last week and another purchased a year ago. Neither of these will connect my G-RAID storage device to my mac pro 2013 (Sierra). The USB-C connects it fine to my macbook pro, the USB connects to both computers, but using these adapters to go from USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 does not work. Garbage! I decided to purchase a thunderbolt 3 device over a thunderbolt 2 because of the existence of this adapter. Thanks apple!! My loyalty was already waining... I can't keep up the charade any longer. You guys have really abandoned any common sense here.

      • Written by Erica H from North VANCOUVER

      7 of 9 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?Adapters are garbage and should be pulled/discontinued

    • 5.0 out of 5 stars

      2017 iMac + Thunderbolt Display

      There are WAY too many negative reviews on this adapter --- and most are likely nonsense. Just connected my 2017 iMac (27" Retina) with this adapter directly There are WAY too many negative reviews on this adapter --- and most are likely nonsense. Just connected my 2017 iMac (27" Retina) with this adapter directly to my Thunderbolt Display (purchased in 2015). Works FLAWLESSLY! It recognized it, fired right up and there are no issues. Stop reading all the negative reviews -- if your set-up is like mine ... This cable will work. Buy it and move on!

      • Written by Brynnlee B from Carlisle

      6 of 7 people found this useful

      Is this review useful?2017 iMac + Thunderbolt Display

    Read all 212 customer reviews

  • Answers from the community

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