Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
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$49.00
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
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Answers from the community
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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
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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
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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?
- Asked by Philip B from Rancho Murieta
- on Apr 21, 2018
Answer
No (except read below). The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter is only for Thunderbolt devices. No (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
- on Apr 22, 2018
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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
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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
- Asked by Chris L
- on Apr 11, 2018
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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
- on Mar 18, 2018
Answer
Connect the Apollo's Thunderbolt 2 cable into the Thunderbolt port on this adapter. Then connect the Connect 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.
- Answered by Patrick O from CORK
- on Mar 19, 2018
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