How to connect Samsung T7 external SSD (USB C 3.2 V2) to Mac Pro 2013 (Thunderbolt 2)

Power is part of it, but the real reason it doesn't work because Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3.x are different protocols without mutual support for the other.

You would need some sort of Thunderbolt to USB 3 gen 2 translator/dock/device. Ideas:

• A Thunderbolt dock with USB 3 gen 2 output
• A PCIe Expansion box with a mac compatible USB 3.2 gen2 PCIe card.
• Give up on USB 3.2 gen-2 and either settle for 3.0 speed or switch to a self-powered Thunderbolt-3 SSD (bus-powered devices have power issues) or a legacy Thunderbolt-2 SSD.

I did more research and here is what I found. With the setup mentioned it will need a "powered" Thunderbolt 3 Dock which will allow the Samsung T7 to get up to 1000 MB/s transfer speed. Probably a bit less with the overhead we always have. I get 400 MB/s write speed (empty T7) and 420 MB/s read speed on a USB 3.0 port.

The Thunderbolt 3 docks aren't cheap so I'll see if my video editing is gonna work with 400 MB/s or if I need more. My internal SSD drive of my MBP2015 run at 650 MB/s.

So, yes it can be done. But its very expensive.

The Apple ThunderBolt-3 <--> ThunderBolt-2 adapter does not pass power.

About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support

If your drive does not have its own power supply, use a USB connection instead. The difference in speed is unlikely to be meaningful.

with all due respect. Thats 5 GB/s vs 10 GB/s.

I have the same drive, same adapter. Have been sold this at the apple store. Same problem, no power.

The TB2 to TB3/USB-c adapter is $90 and the Thunderbolt cable another $40.

Hi, Just checking in on this. Has anyone come up with a solid solution to the Thunderbolt 2 to USB 3 issue? Apple support is no help. I am also in a situation where I have to edit video from an external SSD.