Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 Adapter

[jason.siegel]

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

 

[joevt]

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

As far as I know, the only Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter is the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter (it's bidirectional). Connect the male Thunderbolt 3 end to the Thunderbolt 3 computer, then connect a Thunderbolt 2 cable from the adapter to the 2013 iMac.

The male Thunderbolt 3 end is only a problem when you want to connect a Thunderbolt 3 device that does not have a detachable Thunderbolt 3 cable to a Thunderbolt 2 computer or if the Thunderbolt 3 device requires Thunderbolt 3 power. In that case, you can connect the Thunderbolt 3 device to another Thunderbolt 3 device that has two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

 

[chrfr]

I am looking to purchase a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter--not a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. That is, I'm looking for a male Thunderbolt 2 end and a female Thunderbolt 3 end so that I can connect a 2013 iMac with Thunderbolt 1 to newer computers with Thunderbolt 3, for target display mode.

Where can I find this type of adapter?

The Apple adapter is bidirectional. You’ll need a regular Thunderbolt cable as well, but honestly, if you’re spending ~$100 for all that, you’d be better off just getting a separate display. Target Display Mode seems pretty unreliable for a lot of people now.

 

[jason.siegel]

Thanks. I’ll get a thunderbolt 2 cable then!

 

[jason.siegel]

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

 

[chrfr]

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

The 12" MacBook does not have Thunderbolt and cannot connect to the iMac (or any other Thunderbolt device) as a display.

 

[xraydoc]

Can I connect my late 2016 USB-C only (not Thunderbolt) Macbook to the iMac? If not with the Thunderbolt adapter, can I use a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2/1 adapter?

The 2013 iMac requires a laptop with Thunderbolt to be used in Target Display mode. The 2012 and earlier only require DisplayPort which could be done over USB-C.

There's no way to make a 2016 MacBook drive a 2013 iMac in Target Display mode.

 

[chrfr]

The 2013 iMac requires a laptop with Thunderbolt to be used in Target Display mode. The 2012 and earlier only require DisplayPort which could be done over USB-C.

There's no way to make a 2016 MacBook drive a 2013 iMac in Target Display mode.

Any iMac that has Thunderbolt (2011-2014) requires Thunderbolt to work in Target Display Mode. Only the 2009-2010 iMacs can connect via DisplayPort.

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[xraydoc]

Any iMac that has Thunderbolt (2011-2014) requires Thunderbolt to work in Target Display Mode. Only the 2009-2010 iMacs can connect via DisplayPort.

macOS User Guide

Learn how macOS features and apps help make your tasks easier and your work private and secure. Use your Mac seamlessly with all your Apple devices.

support.apple.com

My error. I thought the 2013 iMac was the first with TB. But thinking back on it, that's clearly not the case.