Apple Mac computers like the MacBook late 2016 are not made to do this per se Apple USB Super Drive to use. In addition, the SuperDrive with USB-A connection, which serves as an external optical drive for CDs and DVDs on Macs without a drive, is not compatible with all adapters, hubs and dongles. Apple always thinks forward-looking and tries to get rid of unnecessary things, but backward compatibility is often neglected. Therefore, here is a guide to the Apple USB SuperDrive on Macs with USB-C.
Chapter in this post:
Pair Apple USB SuperDrive and MacBook with USB-C
The Apple USB SuperDrive is designed so that users of Macs and MacBooks without a corresponding drive can also use CDs and DVDs - either by reading them out or by writing to them. Now the trend of not offering an optical drive in the Apple laptop has been maintained, while a new trend has arrived: the elimination of USB-A ports. Instead, be Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports are offered. And Apple points out that the solution to both problems can only be realized with certain adapters.
On corresponding support page Apple can also read the following note on the subject: "If you want to connect your SuperDrive to your MacBook (Retina, 12 ″, early 2015) and newer or your MacBook Pro (2016), you can use one of the following adapters"- then the following Apple adapters are listed:
- USB-C digital AV multiport adapter (not compatible with SuperDrive before 2010)
- USB-C to VGA multiport adapter (not compatible with SuperDrive before 2010)
- USB-C to USB adapter
The USB-C to USB-A adapter from Apple alone costs around 25 euros, which is why I would only recommend pure Apple purchases to those who have too much money when it comes to the topic of “external drives”. There are inexpensive alternatives, including those for reading and writing Blu-Ray discs. I would like to link some further articles to you.
SuperDrive alternatives with USB 3.0, hub compatibility, Blu-Ray, etc.
With today's demands on such a drive, which is hardly used for burning countless data discs, but which is used for software and films, you need more than Apple has to offer. And in addition to functionality, there should also be a certain degree of compatibility. Or who wants to use a € 25 adapter to block a Thunderbolt port that could also have a dongle with umpteen connections and a drive?
So here are two more posts with alternatives to SuperDrive and Apple hubs:
- The alternative to the Apple Superdrive: external USB DVD burner on the Mac (January 6, 2014)
- Blu-Ray burner for Mac, iMac, MacBook with USB 3.0 or USB-C (May 24, 2017)
- And a reading tip: Archiving of data: Which data carriers for data backup? (May 23, 2017)
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
Hallo,
I have a MacBook Air (2018) and want to connect my Apple USB Superdrive to it.
For this I bought the i-tec USB-C Metal Nano Dock 4K HDMI with LAN.
When I connect the Apple USB Superdrive to the i-tec Dock, the message appears:
USB accessories require power
Connect “Apple USB Superdrive” to a USB port on these Macs.
Can you help me fix this?
With kind regards,
Erwin Spreader
Hello Erwin! The same message came up with my USB-C Dock (other brand). I now have the Apple SuperDrive directly with a USB-C adapter from AmazonBasics (here is the link to the product) connected to my MacBook Pro and then the message has disappeared. VG! Jens
The purpose of buying a hub / dock was to only need cables for all of the peripherals.
An additional USB-C adapter would unfortunately contradict this goal.
Is there currently no hub / dock that can connect an Apple USB Superdrive and a MacBook Air via USB-C?
Hello Erwin! I can understand that, but currently I don't know of any hub on which the Superdrive would work. And since the Superdrive is certainly not always plugged into the MacBook Air, I would see the adapter as the best compromise in this case.
The purpose of buying a hub / dock was to only need cables for all of the peripherals.
An additional USB-C adapter would unfortunately contradict this goal.
Is there currently no hub / dock that can connect an Apple USB Superdrive and a MacBook Air via USB-C?
Hi,
How can I watch a DVD loaned from the video library on my Mac OS High Sierra version 10.13.6? I tried an external CD drive that played the rental jingle, but then stopped working.
What to do?
Thanks for help and best regards,
Paula
Hello Paula! Depending on which program you use to watch it, it may be that this only plays the first video file on the DVD ... This is the jingle from the rental company. After that, the menu on the DVD should actually appear, but this is where your program is probably on strike. I would recommend the following programs to you:
- DVD player (found in the Utilities folder)
- VLC player (here in my post are the download links)
Please let me know if this has solved your problem. Otherwise let's see what else could be the cause.
But I use the DVD player, it is preinstalled. What did you think what program I was using?
And you don't think it's the external drive?
Hello Paula! Ok, that's weird. But if it were the external player, it wouldn't even be able to play the intro. Reading is apparently not the problem. I suppose it is either due to a copy protection or maybe due to the DVD menu. Do you want to test it with the VLC player?
Thanks. Now I've put in my own DVD, the same cheap player - and it works, even on the DVD player. So it was due to the DVDs, they were borrowed (library) - I have to ask there. Unfortunately I had to hand it in again today, so another round tomorrow.
Thank you for your feedback signal.
Thanks for the help - the entire DVD runs on VLC!
Very nice! That pleases me! : D