Would appreciate an answer to this seemingly simple question: does 2018 Mac Mini support USB-C DisplayPort Alternative Mode?
I have a monitor that claims to be supporting it. Yet when I connected the monitor to the Mac Mini, the monitor was not aware of the connection and powered off eventually.
The cable is USB-C PD, which came with my MBP, and I know it is working fine.
Would greatly appreciate your help.
Robert
Mac mini 2018 or later
You are correct, unfortunately Apple's USB-C ports, in reality they are actually Thunderbolt 3 ports, on their Macs do not support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
You will need to use a Thunderbolt 3(USB-C) to DisplayPort adapter/cable: Moshi USB-C to DisplayPort Cable - Apple
More details on the Thunderbolt 3 ports and the adapters here: Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac or iPad Pro - Apple Support
You are correct, unfortunately Apple's USB-C ports, in reality they are actually Thunderbolt 3 ports, on their Macs do not support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
You will need to use a Thunderbolt 3(USB-C) to DisplayPort adapter/cable: Moshi USB-C to DisplayPort Cable - Apple
More details on the Thunderbolt 3 ports and the adapters here: Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac or iPad Pro - Apple Support
see > Connect multiple displays to your Mac mini (2018) - Apple Support
It looks like you should be able to use a > Moshi USB-C to DisplayPort Cable - Apple
If not, then you will need a > About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support
and a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable > Startech White Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable
(I used the Startech Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable for example)
What is the make and model of the monitor?
and what ports does it have?
just so you know, if you are going from USB-C to USB-C then there is no display port involved. Display port is a type of connection. You can't have display port over USB-C.
The USB-C port on the monitor would need to be a Thunderbolt port to accept a video connection directly. If its just a data port to run the monitor's other usb ports then it won't work.
Hi Phil,
It is an LG 29UM69G-B, and it has 3 ports at the back: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C (DP Alt Mode).
Based on what I read on the Internet, USB-C standard supports Alternative Mode, which is designed to allow USB connections to carry non-USB signal. As such, you can use it to carry DisplayPort signals without having to rely on Thunderbolt 3. https://www.anandtech.com/show/8558/displayport-alternate-mode-for-usb-typec-announced
And the article further suggested that USB-C PD cables also do support DP Alt mode by design. But USB-C has been quite confusing (for me) and I thought I should ask.
It is very likely that Mac Mini 2018 does not support USB-C DP Alt Mode, and I will need a USB-C to HDMI or to DisplayPort adaptor, if so, that's too bad. What frustrates me is that nowhere on the Internet I can find information about what USB-C standards Apple computers support.
Thx.
Hello,
From what I could find, you will need a dedicated USB-C to DisplayPort adapter that explicitly supports Macintosh.
Thanks, just to confirm, does that mean a direct USB-C from the Mac Mini to the USB-C port at the back of the monitor should not work?
Thx for the confirmation, Phil!
You're welcome.
Does 2018 Mac Mini support DisplayPort Alternative Mode?
