Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!
📢 Newsroom Update
Apple unveils the new iMac with M4, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and available in fresh colors. Learn more >
Apple unveils the new iMac with M4, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and available in fresh colors. Learn more >
📢 Newsroom Update
Apple’s all-new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >
Apple’s all-new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >
I have a Seagate external HDD with a micro-B port that I would like to connect to one of the high speed (Thunderbolt 2) ports of my late 2014 MacMini. The variety of USB-C ports is a little confusing and I have tried two cables that don't work. Can anyone point me to a cable or adapter that will work?
Thanks.
Mac mini, macOS 10.14
You can not connect a USB drive to the Thunderbolt 2 port. That port is only for Thunderbolt 2 devices and displays using a Mini DisplayPort adapter.
What you need, is a USB-A to USB-C adapter so you can plug the Seagate's USB-C drive cable into your older Mac mini's USB-A port.
You can not connect a USB drive to the Thunderbolt 2 port. That port is only for Thunderbolt 2 devices and displays using a Mini DisplayPort adapter.
What you need, is a USB-A to USB-C adapter so you can plug the Seagate's USB-C drive cable into your older Mac mini's USB-A port.
Thanks for the quick reply. I was afraid of that...all 4 USB-A ports are in use, and one is connected to a powered USB-A hub. The cable that came with the Seagate drive actually has a USB-A connector, but when I plug it into the hub, the computer will not recognize it.
I'm just looking for an external drive that I can use for Time Machine backups; I'm not sure why the drive connected to the hub isn't seen by the MacMini.
Ah' OK.. got it. Move one of your other devices to the Hub and plug the Seagate drive directly into one of the Mac mini's USB ports.
If you need more USB ports or just have a cheap-o 4 port hub. Then replace that USB hub with a larger 7 port self-powered hub.
for a couple of examples,
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/best-buy-essentials-7-port-usb-2-0-hub-black/6453993.p?
https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Charging-Individual-Switches-Extension/dp/B07G8CMR18
how to connect micro-B drive to Thumderbolt 2 port
