I spoke 1h24m today to very helpful Mac staff. She eventually was able to confirm that the superdrive is NOT supported. It can read dvds through an HP reader drive but not write to it. She said to complain. Anyone lnow how to do that please. She sent no mechanidm via email and u cannot email complaints. Will telephone support again. Ridiculous situation. It is not fit for purpose.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.5
I don't know where you've read that the Apple USB Superdrive is not supported on an M1 Mac, but it simply is not true. many people are successfully using them with their M1 Macs. when people have issues with the superdrive not working it is usually because it is being connected to the Mac through a dock or hub. it will not operate that way. it needs to be connected directly to the Mac. and with the superdrive having an USB-A connector and the Mac having USB-C connection, you need to get an USB-C to USB Adapter to connect it directly.
I don't know where you've read that the Apple USB Superdrive is not supported on an M1 Mac, but it simply is not true. many people are successfully using them with their M1 Macs. when people have issues with the superdrive not working it is usually because it is being connected to the Mac through a dock or hub. it will not operate that way. it needs to be connected directly to the Mac. and with the superdrive having an USB-A connector and the Mac having USB-C connection, you need to get an USB-C to USB Adapter to connect it directly.
We see mixed success reports here on Apple's USB SuperDrive, that was last updated in Summer 2012 (😳).
With the proper USB-A to USB-C adaptor—Apple-branded ones seem most successful—and connecting the drive DIRECTLY to the computer (no hubs), people are getting them to work on M1 Macbook Pros.
Across various Mac models, the two most common causes of their not working are:
1) the SuperDrive is upside down, and
2) it is attached through hubs or docks.
That said, some people never get them to work,
Apple has feedback links for different product groups, but there is not one for peripherals. As the problem happens with your MacBook Pro, I recommend using the Macbook Pro feedback link:
Feedback - MacBook Pro - Apple
There are far better, more modern third-party options. I am considering buying this one for my iMac::
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3USD24/
Advantages over the SuperDrive:
Disadvantage:
Offered for your consideration.
Good news. I went to BRENT CROSS's (North London UK) Apple Genius Bar. We connected my 10y old barely used Superdrive via an Apple USB A female to USB C male converter to the MacPro M1 and bingo it read and wrote from Finder a file. Clearly my unpowered USB A to USB C Targus docking station had reduced the power to <500mAmps. Rather than buy the £19 lead (crazy price as ever) I purchased a simple adaptor for £5 and it works perfectly. It is not so wide that it does not allow another USB C to also go into the left hand side of the MacPro (there are two slots there). I wrote 4 MP4s to a RW DVD drive in the superdrive. Interestingly QuickTime was jumpy playing them but VLC was perfect. Another interesting point is that the Windows DVD drive which could read but not write through the Targus docking station can do neither when connected to the new adaptor.....go figure but I don't care.....Hope this helps others too.
I am sure a powered USB docking station would also solve the problem as others have kindly said in their responses, but this is a lot simpler and much more convenient and oh cheaper too.
Bazcook wrote:
I did not read it I was INFORMED by the genius expert
then you were informed by someone that was mistaken. just because they are a genius goes not mean that they know everything. no-one knows everything.
I am connecting both the HP and the Superdrive DVD R/Writer to a USBC Targus docking station. It does not have a separate power supply.
power supply or not, a superdrive will not operate properly if connected through a dock.
I did not read it I was INFORMED by the genius expert who checked with the Apple documentation. I see from Allan Jones (thanks) that there may be a way forward. I am connecting both the HP and the Superdrive DVD R/Writer to a USBC Targus docking station. It does not have a separate power supply. The wireless mouse works fine through it. The HP DVD player can read and play files but cannot write them. It comes up on the Finder listing and the desktop. The Superdrive works fine in my MacAir but has no power with the MacPro. A warning comes up on the desktop when I connect it that there is no power and I did wonder if this was the way forward. It came as a surprise from the APPLE expert that she thought there was no solution at present and I should lodge a complaint. I am going to see BRENT CROSS Apple tomorrow... Many thanks
Many thanks indeed for this: I was getting quite upset having spent £2.4K on the machine....
Superdive not work with MacPro M1
