Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

can i use a usb superdrive on a 2020 macbook pro?

I recently purchased a 2020 MacBook pro and i already had a USB Superdrive that I used with my 2015 MacBook Air. I tried to watch a movie with it this morning and I got an alert saying "USB Accessory Needs Power" and to connect it to a USB port with my model doesn't have. Is the superdrive not supported by this Mac?


Posted on Aug 5, 2020 9:58 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 10:40 AM

That article has not been updated since Nov 2018. Not sure it is applicable to current models.


You may need to call Apple. The "Compatibility" section in the SuperDrive's Apple Store listing does not look promising:


but conflicts with what's stated under "System Requirements" just above:



If you have another computer, Mac or Windows, with a functional optical drive, all is not lost— and you don't have to spend money:


Use the CD or DVD drive from another computer with your Mac - Apple Support

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 5, 2020 10:40 AM in response to rparker07

That article has not been updated since Nov 2018. Not sure it is applicable to current models.


You may need to call Apple. The "Compatibility" section in the SuperDrive's Apple Store listing does not look promising:


but conflicts with what's stated under "System Requirements" just above:



If you have another computer, Mac or Windows, with a functional optical drive, all is not lost— and you don't have to spend money:


Use the CD or DVD drive from another computer with your Mac - Apple Support

Aug 6, 2020 10:01 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan Jones wrote:
If you have another computer, Mac or Windows, with a functional optical drive, all is not lost— and you don't have to spend money:
Use the CD or DVD drive from another computer with your Mac - Apple Support

Except that the OP says he was trying to watch a movie, and Remote Disc doesn't support DVD movies.


FWIW (which admittedly is not much at this point), I have a SuperDrive and a new 16" MBP...but I haven't unpacked the SuperDrive yet so I can't say if it works. It's possible that the 16" MBP is able to provide more power over USB-C than the 13" MBP.


@rparker07, do make sure your Mac is plugged into AC power in one of the ports, with the SuperDrive connected (via adapter) to another.

Aug 5, 2020 4:01 PM in response to rparker07

Well, you are the one that has both the SuperDrive and the 2020 MacBook Pro. Your computer does have a USB-C port. You can connect the SuperDrive to a USB-C using an adapter.


However, the USB-C port on the 2020 MacBook Pro might not provide enough power for the SuperDrive. Apparently, the SuperDrive is one of those devices that can draw more than the USB standard. Apple used to account for such problems and designed its equipment to compensate and work properly. But that was years ago. It may not apply anymore.


The only one who can really say is you. You have to connect the SuperDrive to your MacBook Pro using a USB-A/USB-C dongle. If it works, great! If it doesn't work, then it won't. Don't try to use a USB hub. Try different ports. Disconnect other USB devices.

can i use a usb superdrive on a 2020 macbook pro?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.