--- product_id: 40301072 title: "Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter" brand: "apple" price: "£47.82" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Apple" url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/40301072-thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 3 speed Universal Mac & iPad support Bidirectional compatibility Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter **Brand:** apple **Price:** £47.82 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > ⚡ Future-proof your Mac setup with Apple’s ultimate Thunderbolt bridge! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter by apple - **How much does it cost?** £47.82 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/40301072-thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter) ## Best For - apple enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted apple brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Premium Apple Quality:** Engineered with high-grade components for reliable, uncorrupted data transfer every time. - • **Plug & Play Simplicity:** No drivers needed—just connect and power your Thunderbolt displays or external drives instantly. - • **Bidirectional Brilliance:** Plug in new Thunderbolt 3 devices to older Macs or vice versa—flexibility that fits your tech ecosystem. - • **Blazing Fast Data Transfer:** Experience up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds that keep your workflow lightning quick. - • **Seamless Legacy Meets Future:** Connect your Thunderbolt 2 devices effortlessly to the latest Thunderbolt 3 Macs—no compromises. ## Overview The Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter is a bidirectional connector that enables seamless compatibility between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 2 devices. Supporting up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds, it allows MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, and compatible iPads to connect legacy Thunderbolt 2 external drives and displays with ease. Designed for plug-and-play use on macOS Sierra and later, this premium adapter ensures high-quality, reliable data and video transmission, bridging the gap between past and future Apple hardware standards. ## Description The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter lets you connect Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices — external hard drives and Thunderbolt displays, for example — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro. As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port. Requires Mac OS Sierra.What's in the box Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter Review: Hideously Expensive. It Also Works Great. But Make Sure You Need It Before Purchasing! - I have an expensive portable Western Digital RAID drive (see it at WD 2TB My Passport Pro Portable External Hard Drive - Thunderbolt - WDBRMP0020DBK-NESN ) that uses a Thunderbolt 2 connection. When the new MacBook Pro 13 inch models came out, they had nothing but USB-C ports (running Thunderbolt 3: confused yet?). So, my portable RAID drive instantly became useless, because there was no way to connect that existing drive to the new MacBook Pro. This situation may never be a problem for you, unless you, like me, are attempting to connect a Thunderbolt 2 drive to one of the new Thunderbolt 3/USB 3 ports like those found on the new MacBookPros. But if you are, you'll need this adapter, which facilitates such a connection. It's one of the few of its type on the market, but if you need it, you NEED it. It is well-built, and I've had no trouble with it on multiple Thunderbolt 2 drives I have been using. It's physically larger than most dongle-style connectors, with a large, rounded plastic body on one end, undoubtedly where the circuitry and microchips reside to perform the data stream conversion between Thunderbolt 2 and 3. (It also very likely accounts for the high price of the connector, because of the requirement to use controller chips to make the Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 connection possible). So, I recommend it highly because it works so well, and is built with very high quality. But it is quite expensive. However, if you need it, I would go with this model than some third-party brand that might show up, because Thunderbolt (either 2 or 3) is a modern, high-speed transfer format, and you want to ensure maximum transfer speed with uncorrupted data transfer. Note: This entire subject discussion becomes even more complicated because, with the "old" Thunderbolt 2 standard, the physical plug is exactly the same as the "Mini Display Port" connector type. Who dreamed up that bright idea? One (Thunderbolt) transfers DATA AND VIDEO, and the other (MiniDisplayPort), VIDEO ONLY, but they are physically exactly the same! Now, to confuse us further, throw in Thunderbolt 3, and a simultaneous upgrade to USB in the form of USB 3, followed by the decision to make USB 3 and Thunderbolt 3 intra-compatible, you're sitting there, scratching your head sometimes. Do a web search for C|Net's Article on Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3, and they lay it out in all it's intertwined (no pun intended) glory. But, in spite of all the ways you can get confused, if you have a true Thunderbolt 3 connection with a Thunderbolt 3 drive, wow, is it fast (shockingly, up to 40 Gbps). This is the future of connections, so be ready for it. But the thing to note is that USB 3 is a description of a PHYSICAL CONNECTOR. That USB 3 connector might be running Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, and/or USB 3.1 (!). Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, USB 3.1, etc. are examples of PROTOCOLS, and each can run on the physical connector USB 3, but you have to determine what protocol your device and computer support whenever you are using USB 3. The cable may physically fit, but the devices on both ends (plus the cable itself) must all support the same protocol for them to work. Whew. Review: May be the only truly functional TB3/4 TB2 adapters on the market. - This is a very expensive part, but comprises much more functionality than most ordinary 'adapters', and it works bi-directionally. As far as I can tell, there is *no* functional equivalent on the market. TB/2/3/4 each have unique capabilities. Each generation of Thunderbolt has specific capabilities, but it's the attached equipment that determine which functions are used. There are far too many combinations and permutations of Thunderbolt and attached equipment to described applicable technical details, particularly when in reality, most product offer few hard specifications. TB applications include video, storage, and data transfer, but many applications concentrate on some sub-set of these, leaving the other uses as an afterthought or not mentioned at all. The two common different functions are: attachments for data storage, and for video equipment. Most specs focus on one of these, leaving the other an afterthought. Which get attention is determined by the vendor's primary market. The situation is so complex that the user can rarely determine whether or how well their combination of equipment will work, especially because bandwidth can be allocated to each function in ways that differ among vendors. In the gamer world, focus is on Thunderbolt display refresh rate using DisplayPort video/audio. Among "Professional" users, Thunderbolt is used for transfer and backup of video files produced by the 4K+ video cameras. The files are so large that high speed transfer is essential to get the daily tasks finished. Consequently, most products focus on one or the other of these, the remainder an afterthought, or un-mentioned. This is the nature of an industry that attempts to "standardize" everything, failing to recognize that "letting the marketplace decide" is to have, effectively, no standard. You're on your own. I suggest reading Wikipedia's overview of "USB" and its generations. Vendors have made a complete mess of that marketplace, and they're out to do the same for Thunderbolt. The bottom line for anyone interested in Thunderbolt can be bolded down to 1) look for "Intel Certified Thunderbolt" device, and 2) the lightning symbol, with a number on Thunderbolt cable ends, signifying the generation and supported data rate. Otherwise, they may be USB4, but they aren't Thunderbolt. ## Features - The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter lets you connect Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices — external hard drives and Thunderbolt displays, for example — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro. - As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port. - In addition, it can be used to connect Thunderbolt-enabled displays — such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display and LG Thunderbolt 2 displays — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your MacBook Pro. However, using this adapter with an Apple Thunderbolt Display requires a power source, because th - Note: This adapter does not support DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays. - Compatible with iPad mini, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro and Mac mini with thunderbolt ports ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Brand | Apple | | Color | white | | Compatible Devices | MacBook Air (M2, 2022), MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 - 2019), MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2, 2023), MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1, 2021), MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2, 2023), MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1, 2021), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 - 2019), iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019 - 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2018), Mac Pro (2019), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad 10th Generation Compatible Devices MacBook Air (M2, 2022), MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 - 2019), MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2, 2023), MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1, 2021), MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2, 2023), MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1, 2021), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 - 2019), iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019 - 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2018), Mac Pro (2019), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad 10th Generation See more | | Item dimensions L x W x H | 2.6 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches | | Specific Uses For Product | personal, gaming, business | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Apple - **Color:** white - **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 2.6 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches - **Specific Uses For Product:** personal, gaming, business ## Images ![Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31tlB0INbCL.jpg) ![Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41UZLdRQHGL.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Can this be used to connect a 27" 2012 imac to a 2017 macbook pro as a second display? please!** A: It works for me. I I have a late 27-inch 2012 iMac (with the thin edge) and I use it as a second display for my 2016 15-inch Touch bar Macbook Pro. You need this adapter (Thunderbolt 3 (Usb-C) To Thunderbolt 2 Adapter) and an Apple Thunderbolt 2 Cable (0.5 meter or 2.0 meter). You can probably use off-brand cables too but I haven't tried that. **Q: Is the male end Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 2? Thanks!** A: The male end is Thunderbolt 3, and the female end is Thunderbolt 2. I used this adapter and a previously owned Thunderbolt cable to connect a 2014 MacBook Air to a 2017 iMac for file transfer. **Q: Es compatible con computadoras PC?** A: Yes **Q: Does it fit on the MacBook Air?** A: yes, It fits the new MacBook Air, the one w/ Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Charge. It will not fit older MacBook Air, the ones with USB-3 and mag-safe chargers. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hideously Expensive. It Also Works Great. But Make Sure You Need It Before Purchasing! *by R***Y on October 2, 2018* I have an expensive portable Western Digital RAID drive (see it at WD 2TB My Passport Pro Portable External Hard Drive - Thunderbolt - WDBRMP0020DBK-NESN ) that uses a Thunderbolt 2 connection. When the new MacBook Pro 13 inch models came out, they had nothing but USB-C ports (running Thunderbolt 3: confused yet?). So, my portable RAID drive instantly became useless, because there was no way to connect that existing drive to the new MacBook Pro. This situation may never be a problem for you, unless you, like me, are attempting to connect a Thunderbolt 2 drive to one of the new Thunderbolt 3/USB 3 ports like those found on the new MacBookPros. But if you are, you'll need this adapter, which facilitates such a connection. It's one of the few of its type on the market, but if you need it, you NEED it. It is well-built, and I've had no trouble with it on multiple Thunderbolt 2 drives I have been using. It's physically larger than most dongle-style connectors, with a large, rounded plastic body on one end, undoubtedly where the circuitry and microchips reside to perform the data stream conversion between Thunderbolt 2 and 3. (It also very likely accounts for the high price of the connector, because of the requirement to use controller chips to make the Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 connection possible). So, I recommend it highly because it works so well, and is built with very high quality. But it is quite expensive. However, if you need it, I would go with this model than some third-party brand that might show up, because Thunderbolt (either 2 or 3) is a modern, high-speed transfer format, and you want to ensure maximum transfer speed with uncorrupted data transfer. Note: This entire subject discussion becomes even more complicated because, with the "old" Thunderbolt 2 standard, the physical plug is exactly the same as the "Mini Display Port" connector type. Who dreamed up that bright idea? One (Thunderbolt) transfers DATA AND VIDEO, and the other (MiniDisplayPort), VIDEO ONLY, but they are physically exactly the same! Now, to confuse us further, throw in Thunderbolt 3, and a simultaneous upgrade to USB in the form of USB 3, followed by the decision to make USB 3 and Thunderbolt 3 intra-compatible, you're sitting there, scratching your head sometimes. Do a web search for C|Net's Article on Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3, and they lay it out in all it's intertwined (no pun intended) glory. But, in spite of all the ways you can get confused, if you have a true Thunderbolt 3 connection with a Thunderbolt 3 drive, wow, is it fast (shockingly, up to 40 Gbps). This is the future of connections, so be ready for it. But the thing to note is that USB 3 is a description of a PHYSICAL CONNECTOR. That USB 3 connector might be running Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, and/or USB 3.1 (!). Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, USB 3.1, etc. are examples of PROTOCOLS, and each can run on the physical connector USB 3, but you have to determine what protocol your device and computer support whenever you are using USB 3. The cable may physically fit, but the devices on both ends (plus the cable itself) must all support the same protocol for them to work. Whew. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ May be the only truly functional TB3/4 <--> TB2 adapters on the market. *by 2***T on June 2, 2023* This is a very expensive part, but comprises much more functionality than most ordinary 'adapters', and it works bi-directionally. As far as I can tell, there is *no* functional equivalent on the market. TB/2/3/4 each have unique capabilities. Each generation of Thunderbolt has specific capabilities, but it's the attached equipment that determine which functions are used. There are far too many combinations and permutations of Thunderbolt and attached equipment to described applicable technical details, particularly when in reality, most product offer few hard specifications. TB applications include video, storage, and data transfer, but many applications concentrate on some sub-set of these, leaving the other uses as an afterthought or not mentioned at all. The two common different functions are: attachments for data storage, and for video equipment. Most specs focus on one of these, leaving the other an afterthought. Which get attention is determined by the vendor's primary market. The situation is so complex that the user can rarely determine whether or how well their combination of equipment will work, especially because bandwidth can be allocated to each function in ways that differ among vendors. In the gamer world, focus is on Thunderbolt display refresh rate using DisplayPort video/audio. Among "Professional" users, Thunderbolt is used for transfer and backup of video files produced by the 4K+ video cameras. The files are so large that high speed transfer is essential to get the daily tasks finished. Consequently, most products focus on one or the other of these, the remainder an afterthought, or un-mentioned. This is the nature of an industry that attempts to "standardize" everything, failing to recognize that "letting the marketplace decide" is to have, effectively, no standard. You're on your own. I suggest reading Wikipedia's overview of "USB" and its generations. Vendors have made a complete mess of that marketplace, and they're out to do the same for Thunderbolt. The bottom line for anyone interested in Thunderbolt can be bolded down to 1) look for "Intel Certified Thunderbolt" device, and 2) the lightning symbol, with a number on Thunderbolt cable ends, signifying the generation and supported data rate. Otherwise, they may be USB4, but they aren't Thunderbolt. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worked by allowing old Mac Pro 6.1 trashcan to use a new Apple Studio display *by H***N on December 17, 2024* I plugged this adapter into the back of the Studio Display, and connected an Apple Thunderbolt 2 cable to it from the Mac Pro 6.1. I have upgraded the Mac Pro 6.1 with Open Core Legacy Patcher and initially during setup with Sonoma it would not detect the Studio Display and I had to use an HDMI display to run through setup steps with the Studio Display disconnected. After the upgrade and installing OCLP root patches, I shut down and plugged the Studio back in and rebooted without the HDMI display and it works perfectly, with sound and camera functionality. The Mac Pro 6.1 won't do 5k resolution but does everything up to 4k without problem and looks great doing it. I can also easily run a second display using the HDMI port. I have found that during Mac OS updates I must plug in an HDMI display since the Mac overwrites the OCLP partition during the upgrade. When OCLP gets re-installed and patched I plug the Studio back in without issue. I am now running Sequoia 15.2 on the Mac Pro with OCLP v2.2 and it runs great. I had also tried a couple of HDMI to USB3/Thunderbolt cables purchased off Amazon to try and connect the Studio Display via HDMI, and neither worked at all. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/40301072-thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/40301072-thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-25*