Connecting a Thunderbolt Display to a 2017 MacBook Pro – Is It Possible?

baghsu2ioiqjsoaj wrote:

I tried using Apple's Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter but it didn't work.

Define "didn't work". What exactly happened, or did not happen? Did the display stay black? Did the Mac not see it in System Settings ➜ Displays?

It turns out that MacBook Pros from 2017 and later no longer support connection with the Thunderbolt Display Monitor.

Says who? I don't believe that is accurate.

Is there any way to stil connect the Thunderbolt Display to a 2017 MacBook Pro?

Are you sure it's a Thunderbolt Display, and not just a Mini-Display port display?

What model of display is it exactly? Does it have the 3 cabled harness front the back?

Are you trying to connect to the cable or to a port on the display?

The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 is the correct cable to use for an actual Thunderbolt Display, but not for a Mini-Display Port display.

Here's a video with a 2019 MacBook Pro being connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display using the Apple Thunderbolt adapter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6erzdG4Cjw

There are TWO displays, commonly mistaken for each other that appear to have a Thunderbolt-2 interface.

The Apple Thunderbolt Display 27-in A1407 is a 2560 by 1440 display that has a lead in cord with ONLY TWO connectors -- Thunderbolt-2 and MagSafe.

This display works great with the Apple ThunderBolt-3 <-> Thunderbolt-2 adapter, US$50.

In addition to the built-in Thunderbolt cable, the display also has a built-in MagSafe-2 connector that charges an older Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

from:

https://everymac.com/monitors/apple/thunderbolt/specs/apple-thunderbolt-display-27-inch-specs.html

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Cinema display LED 27-in A1316 from 2011 is a 2560 by 1440 display that features lead-in cord with three connectors -- Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe-2 and a USB-A pigtail. It does NOT work with the Thunderbolt adapter, but works fine with a USB-C to miniDisplayPort adapter.

It includes three USB 2.0 ports and a convenient single cable with THREE connectors (Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe-2, and USB 2.0), a built-in iSight camera with a mic and a 2.1 speaker system.

This display works great with a USB-C to MINI-DisplayPort adapter.

from:

https://everymac.com/monitors/apple/studio_cinema/specs/apple-led-cinema-display-27-inch-specs.html

If this is really a TB display then the adapter should work with your Mac unless the all in one (octopus) cable is bad which can happen. In that case get a TB2 cable and connect directly to one of the TB ports on the display bypassing the octopus cable.

<< get a TB2 cable and connect directly to one of the TB ports on the display bypassing the octopus cable. >>

tbirdvet suggestion Works, NOT speculation.

That solution has appeared here before, and Users say it works great.

baghsu2ioiqjsoaj wrote:

Many thanks Phil0124. The display stays black and is not visible via settings. When the USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter did not work I called with the Apple support desk in the Netherlands, they told the 2017 MacBook does not support Thunderbolt video. It is indeed the model with the 3 cable harness from the back. I tried to connect via this cable, the ports at the back or USB-2. Probably the issue is that I tried to connect with a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter instead of USB- to MiniDisplay port adapter. I just ordered this adapter, hopefully this makes it work.

There might have been some confusion. A 2017 MacBook and a 2017 MacBook Pro are 2 different things.

A 2017 MacBook Pro has 2 thunderbolt 3 ports:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

A 2017 MacBook has one single USB-C port so does not in fact support Thunderbolt displays.

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

The display with a 3 cable harness, is a Display Port display. Not Thunderbolt.

A Thunderbolt Display harness only has two connectors: Thunderbolt and MagSafe for charging a compatible Mac.

It’s likely the USB-c to mini display port cable will work though, if the display is a Mini Display port display.

that display does have:

a built-in iSight camera with a mic and a 2.1 speaker system.

but to use those, you MUST connect a separate USB connection to the display.

That USB connection also allows the brightness to be changed from the Mac.

Please let Readers know what results you get with a different adapter, good or bad

BOTH So that we can make more suggestions, and also

so that we can adjust the advice we give 'the next guy'