Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

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Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

I use an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, to connect an iMac to a Thunderbolt Dock.

The Apple store website describes the adapter:

As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port and macOS Sierra or later.

What does this description mean?

What can be connected and how is it connected to use the bidirectional property of the adapter?

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple (UK)

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 1, 2022 10:29 AM

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Answer 1

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padams35

Level 4

3,307 points

Mar 1, 2022 12:00 PM in response to beyik_lmd

To connect to a Thunderbolt 2 computer you need a Thunderbolt 2 cable.

Plug one end of the TB2 cable into the computer, the other end into the adapter, and then plug the adapter into the TB3 device.

Note: The adapter does not reliably transfer power, so this only works if the thunderbolt device has its own power source. Also note this only works with 'Thunderbolt' devices. 'USB 3.1' devices are not supported this way.

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