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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Knowledge Base

Can I connect a Thunderbolt 3 device to a Thunderbolt 2 Mac?

Yes, you can use the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter from Apple to connect a Thunderbolt 3 device to a Thunderbolt 2 computer. This is currently the only bi-directional adapter. The miminum system requirements for that adapter are macOS Sierra but we recommend using macOS High Sierra or above.

Things to consider:

  1. The Thunderbolt 3 device has to be a self-powered device. Bus-powered devices like the T3-10G are not supported.
  2. Power delivery is not supported. If your Thunderbolt 3 device provides power to your laptop over Thunderbolt, this function will not be available anymore.
  3. The bandwidth will be limited to around 1375 MB/s due to the Thunderbolt 2 interface.
  4. This only works for Thunderbolt 3 devices, not for USB-C devices like the Neutrino U3.1.
  5. If you have access to a Thunderbolt 3 Mac, the next time you update the OS, make sure the TB3 to TB2 adapter is connected to your computer, so that the firmware of the adapter can be udpated simultaneously.