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Connecting macbook air to thunderbolt 3 display

Hi,


I recently bought a LG 24-inch UltraFine 4K USB-C Display. I want to connect my 2017 Macbook Air to this monitor.


My Macbook air only has thunderbolt 2 (mini displayport), so the included USB-C cable does not suffice.


What cable(s) do I need in order to properly connect them?


Kind regards


MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 17, 2020 2:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 17, 2020 3:28 AM

If the display is USB-C only (no lightning bolt icon next to any USB-C port), you can't use it, but if it's the LG UltraFine 4K Display sold by Apple

LG UltraFine 4K Display - Apple

it also supports Thunderbolt 3 on two of its USB-C ports. Connect a Thunderbolt 3 adapter

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

to one of those ports and connect a Thunderbolt cable

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m

from the adapter to the computer.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 17, 2020 3:28 AM in response to AllezLagaai

If the display is USB-C only (no lightning bolt icon next to any USB-C port), you can't use it, but if it's the LG UltraFine 4K Display sold by Apple

LG UltraFine 4K Display - Apple

it also supports Thunderbolt 3 on two of its USB-C ports. Connect a Thunderbolt 3 adapter

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple

to one of those ports and connect a Thunderbolt cable

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m

from the adapter to the computer.

May 17, 2020 5:02 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

It is indeed the lg monitor sold by apple.


I am concerned about the thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 cable.


I believe that the thunderbolt cable will transfer my MacBook data both ways.


But does the data also flow both ways in the thunderbolt-3-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?


So if I connect this thunderbolt cable which is plugged in my MacBook Air to the thunderbolt-3-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter which is plugged into this monitor, it will result in my MacBook Air screen being shown on the lg monitor?


Thank you in advance

Connecting macbook air to thunderbolt 3 display

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