Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter with portable TB2 drive

Trying to figure out if the Apple TB3 to TB2 Adapter will work in my instance. I have a Transcend portable TB2 drive that I'd like to use on my 2018 Mac Mini (TB3). Reviews are mixed regarding whether it'll work or not. Can someone with real world experience tell me if it will or not. Some folks on Amazon claim that it works, but Apple's description is ambiguous at best. Thanks.

Posted on Apr 29, 2021 7:06 PM

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Apr 30, 2021 6:43 AM in response to Harry Knuckles

The Transcend 2T portable drives that I see on-line have a USB 3.1 cable connection.

see > transcend 2tb external hard drive


Which means that the drive should plug directly into one of the 2018 Mac Mini's 3.1 USB ports.


If you have a later 2020 Mac Mini with only TB3/USB-C ports or want to plug the drive into one of the 2018 Mac Mini's TB3/USB-C ports, then you will need use a USB-C to USB 3.1 adapter.

For examples, see > https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

or > https://www.target.com/p/philips-usb-cable-3-0-c-to-usb-a-female-adapter-0-15m-black/-/A-53245266

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May 4, 2021 7:51 PM in response to Harry Knuckles

The adapter worked out great. My guess is this probably works with any portable Thinderbolt 2 drive as long as you're connecting it to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your computer -- not the other way around.

Anyway, hopefully the posters below will delete their posts. Hate to see bad info being spread around.

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May 1, 2021 11:28 AM in response to Harry Knuckles

You can't use the Apple TB 3 to TB 2 adapter in reverse with that Drive, because the Drive is not self-powered.


see > https://www.akitio.com/faq/373-can-i-connect-a-thunderbolt-3-device-to-a-thunderbolt-2-mac


To connect that drive up to your 2018 Mac mini, you will need to use the USB cable that was provided with the drive.


see > https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1091260-REG/transcend_ts1tsjm500_1tb_storejet_500_portable.html/specs



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May 1, 2021 4:18 AM in response to Harry Knuckles

Harry Knuckles wrote:

Prefer to use Thunderbolt connection as it provides Trim support --...

Check first with the manufacturer as to whether they

suggest the use of TRIM. Several external SSD manufacturers

explicitly tell you not to use TRIM as it interferes with the internal

SSD maintenance firmware and can actually reduce performance

and longevity as well (OWC for one tells you not to use TRIM).

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May 1, 2021 7:08 AM in response to Harry Knuckles

Harry Knuckles wrote:

Prefer to use Thunderbolt connection as it provides Trim support -- as well as being faster.

+1 you need to check with the manufacture about SSD Trim support. You have not told us exactlly which Transcend drive you have. It will only be a fast as the enclosure and connection method.

That said, are you confirming that the adapter will work?

Yes, however the Philips USB-C to USB 3.1 adapter will only run at the same speed as connecting the drive directly to the 2018 Mac Mini's USB 3.1 port.


Other USB-C to USB-A adapters in including Apple's, will only be USB 2.0 and much much slower.

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May 1, 2021 10:43 AM in response to den.thed

The drive is a Transcend Thunderbolt Solid State Drive StoreJet for MAC.


Tempted to take a chance on the adapter working connected via Thunderbolt. A few reviews on Amazon report success.


"We can use our old machines or our newest machines with our ultra-fast Thunderbolt portable drives."


"Works great with My Passport Pro portable hard drive"


"I've had no trouble with it on multiple Thunderbolt 2 drives I have been using (another Passport)"


Oh, well. Can always use it to turn our old iMac into a monitor if it doesn't.




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May 1, 2021 4:57 PM in response to den.thed

You're not getting it. The device I have is not a Thunderbolt 3 drive (as stated in your example). It is a Thunderbolt 2 drive. Again...I will be using the adapter to connect my thunderbolt 2 device to my my Mac Mini (Thunderbolt 3).

You are confusing the issue. Please stop replying with answers that have nothing to do with my original question.

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Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter with portable TB2 drive

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