Thunderbolt 2 male to thunderbolt 3 female adapter

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 or later. 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.

  • The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter lets you connect Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices o any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on MacBook Pro
  • Can be used to connect Thunderbolt-enabled displays to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro
  • Can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port and macOS Sierra or later

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  • #1

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

  • #2

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

As far as I know, the only Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter is the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter (it's bidirectional). Connect the male Thunderbolt 3 end to the Thunderbolt 3 computer, then connect a Thunderbolt 2 cable from the adapter to the 2013 iMac.

The male Thunderbolt 3 end is only a problem when you want to connect a Thunderbolt 3 device that does not have a detachable Thunderbolt 3 cable to a Thunderbolt 2 computer or if the Thunderbolt 3 device requires Thunderbolt 3 power. In that case, you can connect the Thunderbolt 3 device to another Thunderbolt 3 device that has two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

  • #3

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

The Apple adapter is bidirectional. You’ll need a regular Thunderbolt cable as well, but honestly, if you’re spending ~$100 for all that, you’d be better off just getting a separate display. Target Display Mode seems pretty unreliable for a lot of people now.

  • #4

Thanks. I’ll get a thunderbolt 2 cable then!

  • #5

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

  • #6

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

The 12" MacBook does not have Thunderbolt and cannot connect to the iMac (or any other Thunderbolt device) as a display.

  • #7

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

The 2013 iMac requires a laptop with Thunderbolt to be used in Target Display mode. The 2012 and earlier only require DisplayPort which could be done over USB-C.

There's no way to make a 2016 MacBook drive a 2013 iMac in Target Display mode.

  • #8

The 2013 iMac requires a laptop with Thunderbolt to be used in Target Display mode. The 2012 and earlier only require DisplayPort which could be done over USB-C.

There's no way to make a 2016 MacBook drive a 2013 iMac in Target Display mode.

Any iMac that has Thunderbolt (2011-2014) requires Thunderbolt to work in Target Display Mode. Only the 2009-2010 iMacs can connect via DisplayPort.

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  • #9

Any iMac that has Thunderbolt (2011-2014) requires Thunderbolt to work in Target Display Mode. Only the 2009-2010 iMacs can connect via DisplayPort.

macOS User Guide

Learn how macOS features and apps can help you streamline your routine and use your Mac seamlessly with all your Apple devices.

support.apple.com

My error. I thought the 2013 iMac was the first with TB. But thinking back on it, that's clearly not the case.

Can Thunderbolt 2 connect to Thunderbolt 3?

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) / USB 4 ports on your Mac.

Can I plug a USB 2 into a Thunderbolt 3 port?

Can I connect USB devices to a Thunderbolt™ 3 port? Yes, Thunderbolt 3 ports are fully compatible with USB devices and cables.

Can I plug a USB

How to connect USB-C devices. The Thunderbolt ports in the current Mac Studio, 24-inch iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air work with USB-C devices, which have the same connector shape. If you want to use a USB-C device, you can just plug it into one of the Thunderbolt ports. No adapter is necessary.

Are Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 ports the same?

Unlike Thunderbolt 2, the Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB Type-C connector and is backward compatible with USB 3.1. Any Mac that features the Thunderbolt 3 port can also accept USB-C devices without the need for adapters. Up to 6 devices can be daisy-chained together to connect them via a single Thunderbolt port.

Is Apple Thunderbolt 2 the same as USB

USB-C ports and Thunderbolt ports are universal, but they're not entirely the same. Thunderbolt ports are fully compatible with USB-C devices and cables, but Thunderbolt ports offer several features that make them stand out from USB-C ports.

Is Thunderbolt 2 backwards compatible?

Thunderbolt 3 technology is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2, however adapters are required since Thunderbolt 3 uses a different interface than the previous generations. Additionally, some features unique to Thunderbolt 3 devices, such as charging capability, may not work when using adapters.