I have an old Apple thunderbolt display that I cannot connect to my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports). BTW, I do have the right Apple adapter, thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2.
I have an older 2017 macbook pro and I can connect it to the monitor without any problems using the same cable and adapter.
Wondering if anyone has faced the same issue before.
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15
Hello, ddubon12!
After reviewing your post, it seems like you are running into an issue with using a second monitor with your Mac. We definitely understand that not having this work as expected can be a concern and we'd love to help. Let’s start by reviewing these articles:
Please let us know if you have follow-up questions, or if the issue remains unresolved. Have a great day!
Thanks for letting us know about that, Darwin. It definitely sounds like everything should be working as expected. The ports are still supported and this connection ability has not been altered. Let's try going through the steps in this article, which may help: Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac. If these issues persist, we want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your external display issue from here. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support.
Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities.
Thanks for getting back with us about this, ddubon12. It's good to know that the adapter, cable and monitor are working when connected to your older Mac, as that tells us they are likely functional, hardware-wise. Let's keep looking into this together. Do you happen to have access to a different external monitor you can connect to your newer Mac? If you are able to borrow one or test with a different one you own, please let us know how that works, so we can narrow down the source of this issue a bit further.
Thanks and take care!
I have an appointment tomorrow at my local Apple store, I am planning on bringing my different laptops so that they can do the testing.
I bought a new Apple thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter this week just to see that it is not an issue with the adapter - I still have the issue.
The support article did not work.
Hello Nicholas_82,
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately this did no solve my problems. My laptop is not detecting the Thunderbolt display.
Hi Mingos,
I can plugin the new MacBooks to other third party monitors with out any issues.
Darwin
Are you using a TB port on the MacBook? I don't think all the USB C ports are TBs.
j.
I have tried with all of the ports.
darwin
I had a similar setup with a 2019 MacBook, adapter and the display with no issues. Are you using Catalina? I will grab my sons, MacBook and give it a test a little later.
j.
Oh and I think the laptop has to be plugged into a power supply.
j.
On my work one I am running Catalina, I do have it plugged in. It almost feels like Apple dropped support for the Thunderbolt display on the latest macbooks pros.
Either that or you have a bad adapter. My son is still sleeping but has class in an hour or so, I'll do some experimenting and let you know.
Good news (I think), my sons 2016 MacBook Pro with Big Sur works fine with the Adapter and TB display. I would be surprised if it is the MBP more likely the adapter.
We appreciate that update. You will be in good hands, ddubon12. The Genius Bar agents will be happy to assist from here. Have a good day.
Cheers!
thunderbolt monitor
