Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Name: Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
Price: 49.0 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 2.5 (203 reviews)

$49.00
2.5 out of 5 stars

Get help buying. or call 1‑800‑MY‑APPLE.

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%	45reviews
4 Stars(Read all reviews)	10%	20reviews
3 Stars(Read all reviews)	2%	4reviews
2 Stars(Read all reviews)	4%	9reviews
1 Star(Read all reviews)	62%	125reviews

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
- Nov 7, 2016
440 of 507 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
- Oct 30, 2016
287 of 365 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
- Nov 17, 2016
366 of 593 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
useless

I guess I should have heeded the other reviews that said this thing does not work. Indeed it does not. I bought this to connect a usb-c external drive to my iMa I guess I should have heeded the other reviews that said this thing does not work. Indeed it does not. I bought this to connect a usb-c external drive to my iMac's thunderbolt port but the drive wont mount. Drive works with the usb-c to usb cable.
- Written by Nat K from Woodacre
- Jun 29, 2018
Is this review useful?useless
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works like a champ....

Seeing a lot of negative reviews. It is one direction. Your main device must have USB-C port. It will not work if you are going reverse with a Thunderbolt 2 Seeing a lot of negative reviews. It is one direction. Your main device must have USB-C port. It will not work if you are going reverse with a Thunderbolt 2 cable to the adapter and then to USB-C external drive. It works as intended with my G-Tech ev All-Terrain Case with Thunderbolt. I attach the USB-C end to my latest Macbook Pro and then attach the other end to my external drive. It powers it up and i am able to mount it.
- Written by Albert W from Hercules
- May 29, 2018
6 of 8 people found this useful
Is this review useful?Works like a champ....
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worked like a champ

I saw all the reviews saying the adapter didn't work, and I was leery about buying it. I went to the Apple store, took my laptop(MBP 2014), and my Lacie 6TB Thu I saw all the reviews saying the adapter didn't work, and I was leery about buying it. I went to the Apple store, took my laptop(MBP 2014), and my Lacie 6TB Thunderbolt 3 hard drive, and setup the config with the adapter. I plugged the Thunderbolt 3 male end into the Lacie drive, plugged Thunderbolt 2 cable to the female end of adapter and to my laptop. Drive appeared on my MBP within seconds. Data transfer is flowing much faster now :) I'd post a pic of the setup, but I don't see that option.
- Written by Lo-Cal M from Eugene
- May 24, 2018
9 of 10 people found this useful
Is this review useful?Worked like a champ

Read all 203 customer reviews

Answers from the community
Most Interesting

Recently Answered

I have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor but getting a new PC laptop that has a Thunderbolt 3 (UCB C) adapter. Will this adapter allow PC to Mac monitor?

Asked by Michael T from MCKINNEY

on Jun 3, 2018

Answer now(I have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor but getting a new PC laptop that has a Thunderbolt 3 (UCB C) adapter. Will this adapter allow PC to Mac monitor?)
1 Answer(I have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor but getting a new PC laptop that has a Thunderbolt 3 (UCB C) adapter. Will this adapter allow PC to Mac monitor?)

Will this adapter allow me to connect a MacBook Air or a 15" MacBook Pro Mid-2012 to an LG UltraFine 22MD4KA-B display?

Asked by Jean-François B from Montreal

on Jun 19, 2018

Answer now(Will this adapter allow me to connect a MacBook Air or a 15" MacBook Pro Mid-2012 to an LG UltraFine 22MD4KA-B display?)
1 Answer(Will this adapter allow me to connect a MacBook Air or a 15" MacBook Pro Mid-2012 to an LG UltraFine 22MD4KA-B display?)

Can i use this cable to transfer data from a 2011 mac air to a 2017 MacBook pro?

Asked by Louise H from Pittsboro

on May 31, 2018

Answer now(Can i use this cable to transfer data from a 2011 mac air to a 2017 MacBook pro?)
1 Answer(Can i use this cable to transfer data from a 2011 mac air to a 2017 MacBook pro?)

Would this work to connect a Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder to my late 2016 MacBook Pro?

Asked by James H from Charleston

on Dec 8, 2016

Answer now(Would this work to connect a Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder to my late 2016 MacBook Pro?)
1 Answer(Would this work to connect a Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder to my late 2016 MacBook Pro?)

Can I connect Mac Pro 2013 (Thunderbolt 2) to a Thunderbolt 3 device, like the OWC Envoy Pro EX, using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter?

Asked by Thomas C from Hilton Head

on May 1, 2018

Answer

Yes, if you mean the OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3 or other Thunderbolt 3 device. There is also an Yes, if you mean the OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3 or other Thunderbolt 3 device. There is also an OWC Envoy Pro EX that uses USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) which does not require an adapter (it is much slower than Thunderbolt 3's 40 Gbps). Apple Support document HT207266 "About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter" has more information in the last paragraph. For some reason, Apple removed the statement that says "Support for Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter is limited to devices that require less than 10W of power". The OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3 has a captive (non-detachable) Thunderbolt 3 cable. The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter also has a captive Thunderbolt 3 cable. Therefore, you also need another Thunderbolt 3 device that has two Thunderbolt 3 ports (such as a dock, raid, or PCIe expansion box) to connect both the adapter and the OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3. The specs for the Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3 doesn't state if it takes more than 10W of power, but that doesn't matter because it will be connected to a different Thunderbolt 3 device that will supply all the power. Some older Thunderbolt 3 devices created before the first Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro are not compatible with macOS without a Thunderbolt enabler patch. Thunderbolt 2 is slower than Thunderbolt 3, so the Thunderbolt 3 drive will not perform at full speed when connected to a Thunderbolt 2 Mac, but it should still be faster than 10 Gbps USB 3.1 gen 2 (which the Mac Pro doesn't have either but you can add it with a Thunderbolt 3 device or a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis and USB 3.1 gen 2 PCIe card).

Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley

on May 2, 2018

Answer now(Can I connect Mac Pro 2013 (Thunderbolt 2) to a Thunderbolt 3 device, like the OWC Envoy Pro EX, using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter?)
1 Answer(Can I connect Mac Pro 2013 (Thunderbolt 2) to a Thunderbolt 3 device, like the OWC Envoy Pro EX, using the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter?)

Can i use this cable to connect an AVID Mbox 3 Pro, with a Thinderbolt2 to Firewire Adapter?

Asked by CARLOS P from BOGOTA

on Apr 29, 2018

Answer now(Can i use this cable to connect an AVID Mbox 3 Pro, with a Thinderbolt2 to Firewire Adapter?)
1 Answer(Can i use this cable to connect an AVID Mbox 3 Pro, with a Thinderbolt2 to Firewire Adapter?)

See all 144 Questions

^††We approximate your location from your Internet IP address by matching it to a geographic region or from the location entered during your previous visit to Apple.

Shop by Product

Shop by Category

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Overview

What’s in the Box

Tech Specs

Problems with chained displays, waking up from sleep / restarts

Thunderbolt Display

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

useless

Works like a champ....

Worked like a champ

Answer

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Product Information

Overview

What’s in the Box

Tech Specs

Ratings & Reviews

Problems with chained displays, waking up from sleep / restarts

Thunderbolt Display

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

useless

Works like a champ....

Worked like a champ

Questions & Answers

Answer

Looking for something?