The SanDisk external SSD has a USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen2) port. I'm thinking I can use Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter to connect to the SSD then use Thunderbolt 2 cable to connect the iMac to Apples adapter. Will this work ? Attaching the SSD to the iMacs USB 2.0 port is too slow
iMac 27″, macOS 10.13
The Apple Thunderbolt adapter requires the drive be Thunderbolt 3 (Lightning Bolt icon on the connector), not just USB-C. Also it will not provide power to the drive, so the drive needs its own power supply.
About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support
The Apple Thunderbolt adapter requires the drive be Thunderbolt 3 (Lightning Bolt icon on the connector), not just USB-C. Also it will not provide power to the drive, so the drive needs its own power supply.
About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support
It cannot work. Thunderbolt 1/2 do not support the
direct connection of any USB device. Only a Mac
with a Thunderbolt3 port will. You will need some
other "docking" device that has internal Thunderbolt
to USB conversion.
A simply TB3->TB2 adapter simply cannot work.
The only possible way a TB3->TB2 adapter will is if the
drive itself is TB and self powered.
That should work.
Attach an external Sandisk SSD to a Mid 2011 27" iMac
