thunderbolt 2 to tb 3 cable:

[macpro2013editor]

Hi,
RE: thunderbolt 2 to 3 cable: I see cables to connect female tb2 to male tb3, but not the other way around or a cable that has male tb2 and male tb 3. I have a drive that has TB 3 female and a macpro 2013 with female tb 2. Any solutions?
many thanks,
Chase
[doublepost=1524335769][/doublepost]found this: https://discussions.apple.com/message/31710453#31710453
looks like i need a male to male tb2 cable AND a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) male to Thunderbolt 2 female Adapter.

cable hell.
[doublepost=1524336316][/doublepost]if anyone knows of a single cable solution I'd love to know.

 

[Richdmoore]

I "think" you have it right, need a thunderbolt 1/2 cable, and the apple thunderbolt 1/2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter.

I am using a thunderbolt 3 adapter on my iMac, paired with a thunderbolt 1/2 male/male cable to pair to a SSD drive (which uses a thunderbolt 1 female socket.)

I believe that because apple made an adapter, the cable makers don't bother to make an actual cable that will convert on its own. (It may be because of certification issues as well.)

 

[macpro2013editor]

Apple is loving the $50 adapter sales. Pretty bad. thanks, sir.

 

[DeltaMac]

There ARE cables with the proper hardware ends, such as this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795LSQ6S/

But, that cable is for video support only (displayport connections), and explicitly state on the Amazon description that it cannot be used for thunderbolt/data connections. There's others with similar configuration, and other manufacturer names on the connectors, but all seem to be only video/USB.
Just another example of the challenges of getting connections, where the Mac provides several different protocols (Thunderbolt, USB, and displayport), all through the same port. The signal doesn't go through if the cable is not designed to pass it. Looks like your choice is, indeed, a TB to TB3 adapter, with a cable that is certified for thunderbolt.
Or, use one of the docking hubs that will give you other connections from the Thunderbolt 3 bus.
[doublepost=1524348597][/doublepost]If you are still looking to get the LaCie thunderbolt external drive - that one has both Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.1 ports. So you would be good to go with a simple USB-C to USB-3 cable, which are fairly common, and the LaCie comes with the USB adapter that you might need.