new USB SuperDrive not working on my new iMac M1

or Apple have to replace the SuperDrive.

The SuperDrive has not been updated since 2012, so Apple cannot replace yours with one having a different connector.

This Apple article on the SuperDrive says to use a port adaptor with newer Macs like yours, and gives links to three adapter options available in the Apple online store:

How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive - Apple Support

The least expensive one should work fine.

You won’t see anything until a disc is inserted in the SuperDrive. And make sure the drive is plugged directly into a port on your iMac, NOT a port on a USB Hub.

My SuperDrive works perfectly well in my M1 Studio Max.

Yup, you are… I believe the SuperDrive has a USB-A connector on it, and your iMac M1 has USB-C sockets/ports on it…technically it’s Thunderbolt 3 but usb-c will do, so you’ll need a usb-a to usb-c adapter… USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple (CA)

Apple will sell you one, and makes one, but so do others

john B

lkrupp wrote:

You won’t see anything until a disc is inserted in the SuperDrive.

just for your further reference, with a superdrive, that is not entirely correct. if you have an empty superdrive connected to the Mac, it will show up in system preferences / settings. if there is one connected there will be a CDs & DVDs pane. even when empty.

in Ventura and Sonoma:

and with Monterey and before:

I was referring to the Desktop. The drive icon does not appear until a disc is inserted. And of course the drive also appears in the System Report app under USB as well as System Preferences when plugged in. Many users expect the SuperDrive to show up on the Desktop when plugged in like other storage devices and therefore claim the drive doesn’t work. Add to that the direct connection (not a hub) and adapter gotcha’s and it’s easy to see why questions arise, often followed by false claims that Apple Silicon Macs no longer support the SuperDrive.

You need an adapter like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Anker-High-Speed-Transfer-Notebook/dp/B08HZ6PS61/ref=sr_1_4?crid=7WI7JKNGBZNC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FMFUWKc99e3bkyWg9QaXz_zw1riVJhwmfWnotNr0VR803_CoXL3p9BYoNqsR9FVGEKJ8Hq18zGAkxo2vdKKIOPhSbxLGVOJKHBP3ytC4d-Dva4ZS1SDsZeSO0MYI4wyl67GqHAUFHeHpActnorpyY1yGgPt3ZCkZmxXq4kBuKjOr9tvWY7P2aNwxQVxfZD1UgoT7TfMb-y5WY6X3xGJxS0tHbEMKK5FyFAWPIqaJ6VQ._yneJvJXs0E1MpCoBKz9SFr6QIMWI87GotAwE3qxUew&dib_tag=se&keywords=usba+to+usb+c+adapter&qid=1714779123&sprefix=usba+to+usb+c+adapter%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4

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