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drennman10
User level: Level 1 (21 points)

Thunderbolt 2 cable pin count for MacBook data transfer

I have a new MacBook Air (Tahoe 26.6) and I need to transfer current items from my MacBook Pro (Intel/Sonoma 14.8.5). I have an adapter for Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 but no cable. I see that there are many on Amazon but I am not sure how many pins the TB 2 need. Can someone suggest the pin count or does it not matter? Thanks

Posted on Oct 7, 2026 3:06 PM

6 replies

Phil0124
User level: Level 10 (242,520 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:45 PM in response to drennman10

Not entirely sure why you need to be counting pins. Thunderbolt 2 is a single type of cable.


I can't find any Thunderbolt 2 cable that specifies pins, because it's not really a thing.


As long as it says Thunderbolt 2 cable it will work.


Are you sure you are looking at an actual Thunderbolt 2 cables?


See this cable for example:

click here ➜ 20Gbps Thunderbolt2 Cable Thunder-Bolt 2 Port to Thunderbolt 2 Male to Male - Amazon.com

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:27 PM in response to drennman10

If you have a MBP running Sonoma …


… are you sure that you have TB2 ports ??? (Actually Mini-DisplayPort connectors)


TB2 ports are slightly “squarish” vice the more modern USB-C Thunderbolt connectors.


It looks to me that the last MBP w/ TB2 ports can only run up to Monterrey. (MacOS 12)

Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10 (148,617 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:22 PM in response to drennman10

<< I see that there are many on Amazon. >>


Then you are likely NOT looking at the right cables.


it needs to have the powerBolt with arrow symbol on each and, it needs to have this connector at each end:



In contrast, the MANY cables on Amazon have USB-3 and later connectors and support ThunderBolt-3, 4, and 5, or are simple Mini DisplayPort cables that will NOT work for Thunderbolt-2 purposes.

MrHoffman
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:19 PM in response to drennman10

If you have an external Time Machine backup to SSD or HDD, you can transfer and use that.

Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10 (148,617 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:30 PM in response to drennman10

The oldest MacBook Pro that can run Sonoma was a 2018 model.


The most recent MacBook Pro with a ThunderBolt-2 port was the 2015 model, which can only run Monterey.

drennman10 Author
User level: Level 1 (21 points)

Oct 7, 2026 4:11 PM in response to drennman10

Thank you everyone. You solved my question and obviously, I was looking at the wrong cables - so asking about pin numbers. Thunderbolt image on the cable solves all my issues. Thanks again.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256372158