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Q: Using MacBook with iPhone. USB-C and Thunderbolt compatibility.

The new MacBook only has one USB-C port.

How do you connect an iPhone to the MacBook? It would seem that USB-C is not compatible with Thunderbolt. Does this mean the only way to connect is wirelessly?

It would also seem to mean that the combination requires two chargers. One for the MacBook using USB-C, and one for the iPhone using Thunderbolt.

Is this correct?

Posted on Mar 9, 2015 7:15 PM

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Q: Using MacBook with iPhone. USB-C and Thunderbolt compatibility.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Michael Paine,

    Michael Paine Michael Paine Mar 9, 2015 9:03 PM in response to Tokyo
    Level 2 (348 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2015 9:03 PM in response to Tokyo

    You can buy one of these:

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

    "The USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter lets you connect your MacBook with USB-C port to an HDMI display, while also connecting a standard USB device and a USB-C charging cable...or syncing and charging your iPhone, iPad, or iPod."

     

    A slight nuisance carrying this adapter around but it it still smaller than a separate phone charger.

     

    It does look like Thunderbolt will not work with the new Macbook - or at least it would be severely constrained if an adapter ever goes on sale.

  • by Tokyo,

    Tokyo Tokyo Mar 9, 2015 10:21 PM in response to Michael Paine
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2015 10:21 PM in response to Michael Paine

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    Is there a USB-C cable to connect to the various USB connectors? (USB2, USB3, USB mini, etc.)

    Can I get a USB-C to USB cable so I can connect an external drive directly to the MacBook.

    Does it mean that connecting the Thunderbolt to the iPhone, the USB end of this cable to a USB to USB-C cable. Then to the MacBook.

    If I want to run iTunes on the MacBook the best way would seem to be to use wifi. Using a cable would mean constant switching to gain access to the single port. It would make updating the iPhone with new songs easier.

  • by benwiggy,

    benwiggy benwiggy Mar 10, 2015 2:53 AM in response to Tokyo
    Level 4 (1,430 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2015 2:53 AM in response to Tokyo

    You need a Lightning connector (not Thunderbolt) for your iPhone. There may be a cable with USB-C at the other end, but if you want to power your MacBook at the same time, then you need a USB-A plug at the other end, PLUS the big USB-C adaptor with a USB-A port on it.

     

    Basically, unless you're doing everything wirelessly, you'll need an array of different cables, connectors and adaptors with you to do anything.

  • by Tokyo,

    Tokyo Tokyo Mar 10, 2015 7:17 AM in response to benwiggy
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2015 7:17 AM in response to benwiggy

    What is the difference between Thunderbolt and Lightening?

  • by benwiggy,

    benwiggy benwiggy Mar 10, 2015 7:22 AM in response to Tokyo
    Level 4 (1,430 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2015 7:22 AM in response to Tokyo

    Tokyo wrote:

     

    What is the difference between Thunderbolt and Lightening?

    There's a joke there somewhere.

     

    Thunderbolt is the multi-purpose high-speed port on a Mac. Lightning is the new-style iPhone connector.

  • by Tokyo,

    Tokyo Tokyo Mar 10, 2015 4:48 PM in response to benwiggy
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2015 4:48 PM in response to benwiggy

    Thanks.

     

    The USB-C looks a good option on the new MacBook, but to have no way to directly connect an iPhone does not make sense unless Apple think we will all go wireless.

     

    Does this mean that iTunes to iPhone or updated songs will use wifi?

     

    Although a hard drive can be directly connected to the MacBook, the easiest way would be to have the iTunes Library on a wifi connected drive.

  • by Matt West,

    Matt West Matt West Mar 11, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Tokyo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Tokyo

    Considering purchasing this macbook, but I have a lot of thunderbolt drives...

     

    Any chance Thunderbolt drives can be used (with an adapter) through USB-C? Otherwise i'm just left with a full bag of useless thunderbolt drives... :/

     

    Any input appreciated. Thanks!

    Matt

  • by Michael Paine,Helpful

    Michael Paine Michael Paine May 6, 2015 8:18 PM in response to Michael Paine
    Level 2 (348 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2015 8:18 PM in response to Michael Paine

    I now a have my new Macbook and 2 Apple USB-C adapters (HDMI and VGA) and the adapters cannot be piggybacked. The rMB and iPhone show not charging and the USB drive is not recognised

    An unpowered USB2 hub works fine when plugged into a single Apple adapter.

     

    rMB_with_piggyback.jpgrMB_with_usb_hub.jpg

    The Kensington hub can even be used to charge the iPhone

     

    rMB_with_usb_hub_iphone.jpg