Thunderbolt adapter guide: How to connect anything to a USB-C Mac

Apple equips its Macs with Thunderbolt ports which are appropriate with USB-C. A brand new MacBook Professional comes with both two or three of those ports, relying on the mannequin you choose. A brand new MacBook Air has a pair. A 24-inch iMac comes with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports; some fashions additionally embody two USB-C ports. A Mac Studio has 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports.

You in all probability have gadgets that use USB-A, Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, DisplayPort, HDMI, or one thing else. How do you join these gadgets? With an adapter.

For those who’re planning to purchase a brand new 24-inch iMac, MacBook Professional, or MacBook Air, be sure you put aside a substantial amount of money for the adapters you want. Apple doesn’t embody any within the field, aside from an influence adapter. Even if you’re getting a Mac Studio or 14- or 16-inch MacBook Professional that has numerous ports apart from Thunderbolt, it’s possible you’ll want to show to an adapter, dock, or hub if in case you have numerous gear to attach.

Your finest guess is to get a mixture dock, just like the Satechi Slim Aluminum Kind-C Multi-Port Adapter ($60/£60 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). It connects through USB-C, and features a USB-C pass-through port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port with 4K (30Hz) assist. With this, you don’t have to hold round a number of adapters.

There are bigger docking stations with as much as 18 ports; we’ve rounded up the most effective Thunderbolt docks for Mac.

For those who don’t need a dock, or you possibly can’t discover a dock with the combo of connections you want, Apple or one other firm in all probability has an adapter for you. We’ve give you this information that can assist you kind out what you want, and we hyperlink to the suitable adapter within the on-line Apple Retailer or on Amazon.

You’ll want to examine the return insurance policies; generally adapters from third events don’t work. Learn consumer opinions at any time when potential, and browse the specs to ensure the adapter can do what you want it to do.

If there’s a connection we missed, or you may have recommendation on what adapters to purchase, tell us on Twitter or Fb.

Learn how to join USB-C gadgets

The Thunderbolt ports within the present Mac Studio, 24-inch iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Professional, and MacBook Air work with USB-C gadgets, which have the identical connector form. If you wish to use a USB-C gadget, you possibly can simply plug it into one of many Thunderbolt ports. No adapter obligatory. Whew.

Learn how to join USB-A gadgets

USB-A is the USB connector with which you’re in all probability most acquainted. It’s the USB connector that was on the earlier MacBooks. (Phrases like USB 4, USB 3 and USB 2 consult with the velocity at which information travels by means of the connector.)

You may get a dock, just like the before-mentioned Satechi. Or you may get Apple’s $19/£19 USB-C to USB AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink.

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If you might want to join a number of USB-A gadgets, get a USB-C to USB-A hub. Anker sells a USB-C to 4-Port USB 3.0 HubEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink ($26 on Amazon) that gives 4 USB-A ports. 

Learn how to join micro B SuperSpeed gadgets

This connector is usually used with exterior storage gadgets. You’ll want a brand new cable, just like the $15/£14 StarTech USB C to Micro USB CableEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink. 

The title of the cable is complicated, as a result of it might be mistaken for micro USB. However in case you examine the product web page on StarTech’s web site, you possibly can see a transparent shot of the micro B SuperSpeed connector on the cable, which is sort of completely different from micro USB.

Learn how to join an iPhone or iPad

For the iPhone and iPad, if you’re nonetheless utilizing the USB-A to Lightning (or 30-pin in case you’re utilizing an older gadget) cable that got here along with your gadget, you may get the USB-C to USB AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink talked about above within the USB-A bit.

Don’t need an adapter? Purchase a $19 Lightning to USB-C CableEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink (1m). You can even get a 2-meter model for $29.

Newer iPhones and iPads embody a USB-C to Lightning cable, and the iPad Professional features a USB-C charging cable, so that you don’t want the adapter for these gadgets.

Learn how to join the Lightning EarPods

There’s a USB-C to Lightning adapter, due to the oldsters at Anker. It’s $25/£27 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink.Take away non-product hyperlink This adapter has a feminine Lightning connector on one finish, so you possibly can plug in your Lightning earphones. The opposite facet is a normal USB-C connector that you simply plug into your Mac.

Learn how to join headphones with a 3.5mm headphone plug

You’re in luck. The MacBook Professional, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, Mac mini, and 24-inch iMac have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Simply plug it in and also you’re good to go. That was simple.

Now, say you want a second headphone jack. You should use a splitter, just like the Belkin Speaker and Headphone 3.5 mm AUX Audio Cable Splitter ($9/£12 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). The $10/£9 Boompods Multi Headphone Audio Splitter plugs into the headphone jack and provides 4 jacks.

Learn how to join Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 gadgets

Older variations of Thunderbolt have a distinct connector than the Thunderbolt connector on the present MacBook Air, MacBook Professional, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and 24-inch iMac. The adapter you want is Apple’s $49/£49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink.

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Learn how to join an exterior show

This one can eat up a piece of your funds as a result of there are such a lot of various kinds of show connectors. Be ready to purchase a number of adapters.

Apple’s Thunderbolt Show and older shows

For those who’re a longtime Mac consumer, possibly you invested in Apple’s Thunderbolt show some years in the past. You should use Apple’s Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter to attach these shows to an Intel Mac.

Nevertheless, individuals on-line have reported issues with utilizing the Thunderbolt Show or Apple’s LED Cinema Show with Apple’s M1 Macs. As detailed by Macworld, these shows present a line of flashing pixels on the high proper of the display screen. The show remains to be usable, however the flashing pixels are a distraction.

Apple has not addressed the difficulty, which looks as if it might be a compatibility drawback with the M1’s GPU. Apple declared these shows as “Classic” in July 2021, which signifies that the corporate is not going to provide elements for repairs, nor do they promise to offer OS assist. So there in all probability will likely be no repair coming from Apple.

DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort

To connect with a DisplayPort show, you want a USB-C to DisplayPort cable or adapter. Amazon sells the Cable Issues USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter cableEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink for $18/£30, and it helps 4K video at 60Hz.

To attach a show with mini DisplayPort, you want an adapter just like the Answin USB C to Mini DisplayPort adapter ($18 on AmazonTake away product hyperlink).

HDMI

You probably have the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Professional or Mac Studio, they’ve a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port. You should use an everyday HDMI cable just like the LeadStar HDMI 2.0 cable ($8 on Amazon) and plug it in. Understand that the port helps HDMI 2.0, so the utmost decision and refresh fee it might run is 4k at 60Hz.

For different Macs, Apple provides the USB-C Digital AV Multiport AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink, a $69/£75 gadget that additionally supplies a USB-A port and a USB-C port that’s for charging solely. Be warned: Apple launched a brand new model of this adapter (mannequin quantity A2119) in August 2019 that helps HDMI 2.0. The older model (mannequin quantity A1621) helps HDMI 1.4. When buying, examine the mannequin quantity (at an Apple retailer, you probably will get the brand new mannequin). Apple has a assist doc that particulars the variations between the 2 adapters.

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For those who don’t need to spend that a lot, you may get an adapter that’s only a USB-C to HDMI adapter, corresponding to Anker’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($17/£18 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). We actually just like the Nonda USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($18/£20 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). When searching for such adapters, look out for not less than 1080p assist. The Nonda adapter has 4K video assist.

DVI

Cable Issues has a 6-foot USB-C to DVI Adapter ($22 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). In addition they promote 3-foot ($19) and 10-foot ($23) variations.

VGA

To attach a VGA show, Apple has a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter ($69/£69 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink). Along with a VGA to USB-C connection, it additionally supplies a USB-A port for connecting a USB gadget, and a USB-C charging port to maintain your laptop computer battery joyful.

On the extra inexpensive facet however with out the USB ports is the Benfei USB-C to VGA Adapter, which is accessible on Amazon for $16/£12.

How to connect with ethernet

You’ll in all probability use Wi-Fi more often than not, however utilizing an ethernet connection has its benefits. To connect with an ethernet community, you want an adapter just like the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, which is accessible on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink for $35.

Learn how to join SD playing cards

For those who use a DLSR or different kind of stand-alone digicam, it may need a option to switch your information wirelessly. If not, you want an adapter to entry the SD card, just like the Cable Issues Twin Slot USB C Card Reader ($9 on AmazonEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink).

You probably have a USB-A card reader, you possibly can strive utilizing the Apple’s $19/£19 USB-C to USB AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink, or get a USB-C dock.

Learn how to join FireWire gadgets

You probably have a FireWire to USB-A cable, you possibly can strive utilizing Apple’s $19/£19 USB-C to USB Adapter. You probably have a tool with a FireWire 1394 4-pin connector—it was generally used on video cameras and appears like this—and also you want a option to join, you possibly can strive utilizing a USB-A to FireWire 1394 4-pin cable ($8/£10 on Amazon) with the Apple’s USB-C to USB Adapter.

Attempting to attach FireWire 400 and 800 gadgets will get iffy. Apple has a Thunderbolt to FireWire AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink for $29/£29, nevertheless it has an older Thunderbolt connector that doesn’t plug into the Thunderbolt port on a brand new MacBook Professional, MacBook Air, or 24-inch iMac.

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You can strive daisy-chaining adapters, however that’s all the time dangerous and will not work, to not point out doubtlessly dangerous for the adapters. Plug the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter into Apple’s $49/£49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink after which plug that into the Mac.

Learn how to join a printer with USB-B

Many printers these days have wi-fi assist, so there’s no want for a cable. However possibly you may have an older printer, otherwise you discover wi-fi printing unreliable. Most client printers have a USB-B port. It’s a squarish connector, a lot completely different from USB-A or USB-C.

You want a cable just like the Cable Issues USB C Printer Cable, which has a USB-C to USB-B connection. A 1 meter cable is $10/£7; different lengths can be found.

If you have already got a USB-C to USB AdapterEdit non-product hyperlinkTake away non-product hyperlink, you possibly can take the USB-A to USB-B cable that got here along with your printer and plug it into the adapter. Then you definately plug the adapter into the laptop computer.

Learn how to add a basic MagSafe energy connector to the MacBook Air or MacBook Professional

The facility adapter that comes with the 13-inch MacBook Professional and M1 MacBook Air doesn’t have a breakaway MagSafe connector. MagSafe was a laptop computer lifesaver in situations the place somebody tripped over the facility cable.

However you possibly can nonetheless add a MagSafe connector, and you will discover a number of charging cables with magnetic connectors that may break free when the cable is yanked. Loads of the adapters that you simply discover on Amazon appear to be the identical product however labeled by completely different sellers. And with Amazon consumer overview fraud so rampant, it’s onerous to depend on these opinions for recommendation.

With out having examined these cables ourselves, the most effective recommendation we may give is to search for cables that assist Apple quick charging, have a size lengthy sufficient so that you can use (not less than 6 ft), and is made with good high quality materials (like a braided cable). Some cables will also be used for information transfers, so you need to examine the info fee. Some have a right-angle connector; examine to ensure such a connector doesn’t block the port subsequent to it. And clearly, observe the assure and return coverage.