Can I link USB-A gadgets straight to a USB-C slot on my computer?
Can I link USB-A gadgets straight to a USB-C slot on my computer?
TL;DR: My HDD enclosure isn't connecting with my Macbook Pro using a USB-A to USB-C cable. On my old Macbook Pro, it worked fine with a male-to-male cable, but now with USB-C ports on my new laptop, I can't find a compatible cable and none of the ones I tried are working. I recently bought a new cable hoping it would fit, but it didn’t connect either. I’m confused about how USB connections should work and would appreciate some guidance or a proper cable recommendation.
Thank you for your message. According to Apple, the ports accommodate both USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4. The specifications detail that these ports can handle charging, displayPort, Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), and USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s). I'm curious if your USB-A to USB-C cables have a specific direction or purpose—maybe they're meant for power transfer from the USB-A side to a device on the USB-C side, even though the cables themselves don't support the necessary communication for that.
Are there additional USB devices compatible with your Thunderbolt port when using the cable you referenced?
No - I only possess three devices equipped with USB-A ports (two identical HDD cases and a laptop cooler/stand, but none of them function with this cable type). I've tested various USB-A to USB-C cables, hoping to eliminate a faulty one. Also tried each USB-C port on the laptop, yet no change was observed. These cables do function with the laptop's USB-C ports when plugged into a USB-A power source, charging it. However, the laptop doesn't appear to return any power through those connections. Perhaps unrelated, I also have a USB-C to USB-C cable that works in both directions - it charges the laptop via a USB-C outlet and can also charge my phone when connected between the laptop and phone.
It appears the ports are functioning properly since I can link my HDD enclosure to them using an adapter or hub. The easiest method I’ve tried is connecting a USB-C male to USB-A female cable into my laptop, then using a USB-A to USB-A cable from there to the HDD enclosure—everything works. I can treat it as just one cable if I skip the middle connection, given that it has a USB-C port and a USB-A port on either end. Using a USB hub, even an unpowered one, also works; I simply connect a USB-A to USB-A cable from the hub to the enclosure or cooling stand. This situation doesn’t seem to require Apple customer service—just a need to understand how it all connects.