Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port to a USB-A device

Is Apple's "USB-C to USB Adapter" the best way for me to connect an M4 Mac which has Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports to a USB-A device? Or, in view of the Thunderbolt 4 ports on this new iMac, is there a newer / better adapter I should acquire?


Thanks!


iMac (M4)

Posted on Oct 6, 2025 9:00 AM

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Posted on Oct 6, 2025 9:18 AM

That adapter should be fine. Just remember that your USB-A devices will not gain any real performance benefits from the newer USB or Thunderbolt standards ... both which are available via your Mac's USB-C type ports.


To be a bit more precise, USB-A does not support the Thunderbolt standards at all. However, if your USB-A device supports USB 3.0, it will perform at that level with this adapter.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 6, 2025 9:18 AM in response to Arthur266

That adapter should be fine. Just remember that your USB-A devices will not gain any real performance benefits from the newer USB or Thunderbolt standards ... both which are available via your Mac's USB-C type ports.


To be a bit more precise, USB-A does not support the Thunderbolt standards at all. However, if your USB-A device supports USB 3.0, it will perform at that level with this adapter.

Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port to a USB-A device

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