Usb C adapter M2 MacBook Air

[mxrider88]

I have had a small usb c to usb a adapter since 2015 when I got a 12” MacBook, it has always worked fine.
Today I received the new m2 air and when I connect the hard drive to it, it doesn’t detect it and the light on the drive blinks randomly. Connecting it to the old laptop works. If I use an older adapter I have, with two usb and sd card slot, then it works.

Does someone know why?
It’s weird. It’s a simple, ultra cheap, straight usb a to c adaptor. Nothing fancy. Not sure what’s the difference between the air and the new one I am replacing it with.

Which adapter do you use? Could someone recommend a basic one, small, that has been tested and works?

Thanks!

 

[chabig]

Instead of an adapter, just get a USB-A to USB-C cable. I think you'll be happier.

Amazon.com: Usb-c To Usb-a Cable

Amazon.com: usb-c to usb-a cable

www.amazon.com

 

[Basic75]

Instead of an adapter, just get a USB-A to USB-C cable. I think you'll be happier.

That's not the right kind of cable, if the USB-C goes into the computer then the USB-A would be for the hard drive, and no hard drive has USB-A.

You should get a cable with USB-C on one end and whatever the hard drive has on the other end, that could be USB-C, or USB-B 3.0, or Micro USB-B 3.0, or some other variant, you'll have to check.

 

[mxrider88]

That's not the right kind of cable, if the USB-C goes into the computer then the USB-A would be for the hard drive, and no hard drive has USB-A.

You should get a cable with USB-C on one end and whatever the hard drive has on the other end, that could be USB-C, or USB-B 3.0, or Micro USB-B 3.0, or some other variant, you'll have to check.

Yeah but I would have to replace all the cables basically then. I always used the adaptor so it just fits it all. But it doesn’t work anymore on the new air for some bizarre reason.

Cheers!

 

[w5jck]

The M series MacBook USB-C ports are notoriously finicky about working with older cables, adapters, hubs, etc. I suggest getting ones that are USB 3.1 compatible.

I use the following with my MacBook Air M1 and they all work well. I assume they will also work on the M2.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GGKYXVE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CVX3516/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TPS44SL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[mxrider88]

The one I have also works on m1, just not on the m2, that’s why I’m getting confused. I’ll check the links now, cheers

 

[w5jck]

It is a PITA for sure because Apple really didn't think this all the way through.

One issue I had with my MacBook Air M1 was finding a hub that would allow the Logitech dongle for my MX Anywhere 2 mouse to work. Apparently the Logitech dongle for my mouse can't work on a USB-C 3.1 hub because the hubs emit signals that interfere with the signals of the dongle. Adapters worked okay though. This is a Logitech issue, but it still shows the limitation of having only USB-C ports on a Mac.

Another issue was getting my 4K monitor to power a Satechi hub (bought directly from Apple) to power my Satechi hub and allow it to use PD to power the MacBook Air M1. That wouldn't work no matter which cables I used. I gave up and power the Satechi hub with a 65w USB-C wall charger which does work to power the MacBook Air M1 via PD through the hub. The monitor uses it own power brick. It would have been nice to use that for the monitor as well as the hub and Mac, but finicky ports are not allowing it.

 

[mxrider88]

what a mess ..

 

[melikbilge]

I have a similar issue with the M2 MacBook Air. My USB 3.0 speed USB-A ethernet adapter doesn't work through a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but does work when connected to a hub which is then connected to the M2 Air.

I went to the Apple Store and tried it on all of the computers there, and confirmed that it works on all the M1 computers (2020 MBA, Mini, etc.) but doesn't work on any of the M2 computers (M2 MBA, M2 MBP). So Apple definitely screwed something up on the M2's USB stack.

Sometimes the M2 recognizes the ethernet adapter, but only gives it USB 2.0 speeds instead of 3.0.

(Probably related to the fact that Apple replaced the Intel USB controller with their own USB controller in the M2.)

 

[altaic]

I have a similar issue with the M2 MacBook Air. My USB 3.0 speed USB-A ethernet adapter doesn't work through a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but does work when connected to a hub which is then connected to the M2 Air.

I went to the Apple Store and tried it on all of the computers there, and confirmed that it works on all the M1 computers (2020 MBA, Mini, etc.) but doesn't work on any of the M2 computers (M2 MBA, M2 MBP). So Apple definitely screwed something up on the M2's USB stack.

Sometimes the M2 recognizes the ethernet adapter, but only gives it USB 2.0 speeds instead of 3.0.

(Probably related to the fact that Apple replaced the Intel USB controller with their own USB controller in the M2.)

If you look at the iFixit chip ID, Apple replaced the Intel Thunderbolt retimers with something presumably their own, but the USB-C controllers have been and still are Texas Instruments (CD3217B13 vs CD3217B12 in the M1 MBA). I wasn’t able to find the CD3217 data sheet to confirm its function, though, so who knows.

Edit: fixed autocorrect mishap

 

[melikbilge]

Huh, you're right, it's not the Thunderbolt drivers then. Anyone know if there's a way for me to narrow down if it's the TI CD3217B13 that's the problem or macOS?

@mxrider88 Did you try your hard drive with M1 MacBooks and see if it works with them? Or try it with any other M2 MacBooks to see if it doesn't work with them either? An Apple Store would be a great place to test it (plug in, check Apple Logo > About This Mac > System Information > USB > your drive, see if it's showing up and at what USB speed). Would be really valuable info. Gotta do it before Apple stops selling M1 computers though

 

[jdb8167]

I have a similar issue with the M2 MacBook Air. My USB 3.0 speed USB-A ethernet adapter doesn't work through a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but does work when connected to a hub which is then connected to the M2 Air.

I went to the Apple Store and tried it on all of the computers there, and confirmed that it works on all the M1 computers (2020 MBA, Mini, etc.) but doesn't work on any of the M2 computers (M2 MBA, M2 MBP). So Apple definitely screwed something up on the M2's USB stack.

Sometimes the M2 recognizes the ethernet adapter, but only gives it USB 2.0 speeds instead of 3.0.

(Probably related to the fact that Apple replaced the Intel USB controller with their own USB controller in the M2.)

I had this happen yesterday. I tried my coworker’s USB-A Ethernet adapter through what has always been reliable USB-C to A adapter and the Ethernet didn’t work at all. I didn’t think too much about but now that you mention it, I haven’t had any trouble before. Odd. My normal USB-C 2.5 Gb Ethernet adapter works fine on the M2 so not too much of a problem but still…

 

[satcomer]

I had this happen yesterday. I tried my coworker’s USB-A Ethernet adapter through what has always been reliable USB-C to A adapter and the Ethernet didn’t work at all. I didn’t think too much about but now that you mention it, I haven’t had any trouble before. Odd. My normal USB-C 2.5 Gb Ethernet adapter works fine on the M2 so not too much of a problem but still…

That second 2.r probably had a more modern chip inside it!

 

[mxrider88]

I just bought another cheap one from Amazon and it works.. who knows.. the old adapter works with another hard drive I have though. But with the M1 both the drives were working with the same adapter. So it’s hard to say what the problem really is, I guess the mac though.

 

[Novius89]

i have the apple multiport adapter (usb-a, cdmi and usb-c for charging). My permanent connected usb hdd is always working connected with the apple peripheral.

When I work remote and connect the hdd with the usb-a to usb-c adapter it came with, it loses connection constantly.