How to connect USB 2.0 Thumb Drive to Thunderbolt 4?

[Merkava_4]

I have some USB 2.0 thumb drives that I use with my 2007 MBP. The 2021 MBP doesn't have USB 2.0 ports as you probably already know. What to do? Some kind of an adapter?

 

[jayling7]

I have some USB 2.0 thumb drives that I use with my 2007 MBP. The 2021 MBP doesn't have USB 2.0 ports as you probably already know. What to do? Some kind of an adapter?

You can get a USB C male to USB A female adapter. Something like this Anker one perhaps: Anker USB C Adapter

 

[joevt]

USB-C to USB-A adapters.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HZ6PS61
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DKMFMXW
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SK6Y3VK
etc.

Or get a USB-C dock or a Thunderbolt 3 dock or a Thunderbolt 4 hub or dock that has USB-A ports.

 

[Fishrrman]

Something like this will do it:

Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-A adapter provides a convenient connection between the newest devices with USB Type-C and legacy USB peripherals with Type A. It adapts the Type-C port on a computer to connect all legacy equipment, peripherals, cables, hubs and chargers that ...

www.amazon.com

Some of the "small" adapters block the other port when connected.
This one won't.

 

[Merkava_4]

jayling7, joevt, Fishrrman, Thank you.
So is USB C the same as Thunderbolt 4 physically? And is USB 2.0 the same as USB A physically?

 

[jayling7]

jayling7, joevt, Fishrrman, Thank you.
So is USB C the same as Thunderbolt 4 physically? And is USB 2.0 the same as USB A physically?

Yes, the USB C adapters will work in the Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the USB 2.0 & 3.0 will physically fit the USB A. I know how confusing this sounds but yeah, they do work.

 

[joevt]

jayling7, joevt, Fishrrman, Thank you.
So is USB C the same as Thunderbolt 4 physically? And is USB 2.0 the same as USB A physically?

USB 2.0 can be done by USB-C (otherwise the adapters wouldn't work).
USB-A can do up to USB 3.2 gen 2x1 (aka USB 3.1 gen 2).

Some USB-A ports may be limited to USB 1.1 speed (1.1 or 12 Mb/s) or USB 2.0 speed (480 Mb/s) or USB 3.0 speed (5 Gbps) or USB 3.1 gen 2 speed (10 Gbps).

It's the same for USB-C (USB-C adds the possibility for USB 3.2 gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) but Macs don't come with that or have drivers for it). Besides USB, USB-C can also do Thunderbolt and DisplayPort (but like everything else, they are optional).

 

[Merkava_4]

I ended up getting the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter from the Apple store in town.

Thank you all so much for helping me navigate through the technical jargon. ?