How do I choose the right Female-to-Female adapter?

Suzy2014 wrote:

Thanks for the explanations. This is way over my head... I assumed that connecting the adapter (that I sent Amazon links for) to the "second" cable (which is a Type C connector) will do the job.

I think what most of us are confused about, maybe just me, is in the first image you provided, are these two separate cables or both ends of a single cable?

I would like to transfer pictures between my iMac (Sonoma 14.5) and a Windows 11 computer. They are on the same network. If you can explain how to do that, I'd appreciate it.

Again, this is an alternate approach. To give you some idea on what this entails, please take some time to review the following articles. Sharing shouldn't be too difficult to perform, but it helps to get a bit of background before jumping in "head first."

• Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support
• Connect your Mac to shared computers and servers - Apple Support
• How to wirelessly share files between a Mac and PC - iMore

If you are planning on using that USB Micro B cable, then sorry, neither of these will work.

Just a bit of background, to hopefully, clear things up a bit.

For USB, there are two basic designations:

1. The physical shape of the connector. These are identified as: USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, etc.
2. The protocol standard (what the connector can support data throughput-wise). These are identified as: USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, etc.

So, typically, when selecting a USB cable or adapter, you would need to know both of these to make the "right" choice. The two adapters you provided links for, would not work physically. Only one end, the female USB-A one would work with your male USB-A flash drive, but the other end, the female USB-C would not work with the USB-B micro cable that you provided the image for.

Alternately, if your goal is to transfer data between computers, especially if those computers are on the same local network, you wouldn't need to use this flash drive at all. You can actually do the transfers directly over the network. Let me know if you would want to pursue this path instead.

Suzy2014 wrote:

Thanks for the explanations. This is way over my head... I assumed that connecting the adapter (that I sent Amazon links for) to the "second" cable (which is a Type C connector) will do the job.

What do you mean by "second cable"? Is the cable you hold in your hand in the first picture separate to the one on the table there? I thought that was the other end of that same cable.

The connector you are holding in your hand in the first picture will plug in to the USB-C side of the Adapters in the Amazon links you posted. But what is on the other side? If it's the two-pronged connector on the table and you are holding in the second picture, then there's nothing to connect it to. Your Mac does not have a port like that, and the hub if it has a port like that its for input only I would assume. If it's the same type of connector, then yes, it will connect to your Mac and allow you to access the flash drive.

The link I provided in a previous reply offers an adapter that requires no cable. Which makes it easier to use. You just plug in the USB-C side into a port on the Mac or hub (if it has usb-c ports).

I would like to transfer pictures between my iMac (Sonoma 14.5) and a Windows 11 computer. They are on the same network. If you can explain how to do that, I'd appreciate it.

There's several ways of doing that. Yes, using a flash drive with the appropriate connector should work.

P.S. I do not understand why these posts are not displayed in the order they were posted. It makes things VERY confusing. Is this something one has control over to somehow fix it?

Yes, make sure the "Sort By" setting under your original post is set to Oldest instead of Ranked. This will order the post in order of posting rather than highest rank first.

You can configure this in your forum profile, so they are always sorted by Oldest post first instead of ranked which makes following the thread very awkward.

Suzy2014 wrote:

P.S. I do not understand why these posts are not displayed in the order they were posted. It makes things VERY confusing. Is this something one has control over to somehow fix it?

Go to the top of the page, just under the right side of your original post. You should see "Sort by." Select either "Oldest" or "Newest" and they will be in posted order. I prefer "Oldest."

ETA: Phil's answer, in addition to being faster, is better.

Suzy2014 wrote:

I did order one set of adapters (one of the two that I posted links for), worst case I send them back. I want to see if they do what I want or not

They should if the cable you are holding in the first picture is the same on both sides or the other side is connected to the Mac in some other way.

That adapter should work.

Your question is a bit confusing.

The black cable you use is a USB 3.1 Micro B to USB-C cable. It connects presumably the orange external drive in that picture to your computer or hub.

It will do nothing to connect your Flash drive to your computer or USB-C hub.

If you need to connect the USB-A Flash drive to a USB-C port on your computer or whatever hub you may have, then, you need just that: A USB-A to USB-C adapter. Your black cable is not involved in any of this. That's just for the external drive.

click here ➜ UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter 10Gbps,2 Pack USB C to USB Adapter - Amazon.com

Suzy2014 wrote:

Would any of these do the job and if so which one should I pick?

https://www.amazon.com/Poyiccot-Adapter-Converter-Bi-Directional-Compatible/dp/B0B5WK8VR4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=X967CKQ4WCNT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UCC0dAOWgQYHlstYxLF37miRv5Cc9XwxAeNq_k667LhTFNyTmUT-IV0Sz4aEkigihCgYnm5G2DxIDY7FDSW-CgTV3xcykrGADneBUYjDHnKwUogkvqv739FcFIoNCVQL1jRh9YJzMLxGs9FaLkwp8dHygfNFuxUxEgR97j7w9G-F_Gr8O7Xq5ks4UDtmQvcHuud9PUXl3hNBeuDDpeu-jLjGR1USypxvPc-CKHyJjJA.H7duaocP_c7MtZAbMrf-zptnWjJxYscVb4QfPw7UIhs&dib_tag=se&keywords=USB%2Ba%2Bfemale%2Bto%2BUSB%2Bc%2Bfemale%2Badapter&qid=1736272222&sprefix=usb%2Ba%2Bfemale%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc%2Bfemale%2Badapter%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-4&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Togconn-Adapter-Bi-Directional-Extension-Connector/dp/B0CY314DCJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X967CKQ4WCNT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UCC0dAOWgQYHlstYxLF37miRv5Cc9XwxAeNq_k667LhTFNyTmUT-IV0Sz4aEkigidHe0faImQoy0Ww5uzSfzQrKAIvR0unP3WZwWwROj-ogQ8bG709yyVEPNQXb5xSqU1jRh9YJzMLxGs9FaLkwp8dHygfNFuxUxEgR97j7w9G-F_Gr8O7Xq5ks4UDtmQvcH3qY2MrFdMRWHFS316W27xXAAedYLGr3qsmSVelP_Lp0.kx_DwAd_ahkrFWrMm8-bicqmpCqb6t1vKjm_pvH_ShE&dib_tag=se&keywords=USB%2Ba%2Bfemale%2Bto%2BUSB%2Bc%2Bfemale%2Badapter&qid=1736272920&sprefix=usb%2Ba%2Bfemale%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc%2Bfemale%2Badapter%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1&th=1

The goal of this is to be able to use the stick to move pictures from my imac to another computer (or the other way around). Thanks.

Those would work if you have a USB-C to USB-C cable to go along with them, if you are trying to connect it to a hub or your computer that only has USB-C ports. In other words you need a cable that has the same connector on both sides for those adapters to work.

Ok, the second image looks like a USB-A flash drive with a male connection. What is the first image of? It would also help if you took the image straight-on looking at the ends to be a better idea what type of connectors these are ... and is this a single cable with these connectors at each end ... and what is this cable used with?

Thanks for the image. That is a USB 3.0 Micro B connector. What you would need it a female USB Micro B to female USB-A adapter. The issue you will find is actually finding a supplier that have them with female connectors on both ends.

However, even if this would work for your USB-A flash drive, if you still needed to connect a USB Micro B device, you would have to remove this adapter to do so.

The bottom line? If you can't find the proper cable, you may have to consider replacing your hub with one that will better meet your goals.

Excellent job! I'm glad you got it worked out. Before you know it, you'll be helping others who may come across the same situation as you did.