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Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch
$19.95 USD
SKU: USB3-SWITCH2Amazon Rating : (1406 Reviews)
Features
- Effortless USB Sharing— This USB 3.0 sharing switch allows simple one-touch control to switch USB peripherals - like flash drives, printers, and hubs between two computers, perfect for a USB switch setup.
- Compatibility— Works with USB 3.0, 2.0, or 1.1 devices like USB 3.0 docks, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. Not compatible with USB-C/Thunderbolt docks. Use the included 1m cables and keep peripherals within 1.8m for optimal performance.
- One Button Toggle— Connect your USB docking station, keyboard, and mouse via this USB switch to enable an all USB KVM switch setup - ideal for streamlined workflows.
- Plug and Play— Instantly switch two laptops to one USB device without installing drivers. LED indicators show active host, making this the perfect USB 3 switch for home or office use.
- Boost Productivity & Efficiency— Streamline your workflow and enhance productivity by effortlessly sharing multiple USB devices like keyboards, mice, and docking stations, between two computers using a single switch.
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Effortless USB Switching Between Two Computers with One Button
The Plugable USB 3.0 sharing switch for multiple computers makes it easy to share USB devices between two systems with a single button press. This high-performance USB switch supports USB 3.0 speeds and is perfect for pairing with a powered hub or USB 3.0 docking station. Create an efficient KVM switch setup to control a keyboard, mouse, and display across devices. This versatile USB keyboard switch offers driver-free, plug-and-play functionality with LED indicators to show which computer has control.
*Note: not compatible with USB-C or Thunderbolt docks.
A: USB3-SWITCH2 is not compatible with USB-C docks. These USB-C devices rely on optional USB-C features such as Alt Mode and Power Delivery which are not supported on USB 3.0 Type A ports. Only USB 3.0 docks are compatible.
A: USB3-SWITCH2 is compatible with devices with standard USB host connectors. It only includes USB 3.0 host cables, so USB-C to USB-A adapters (sold separately) are required for use with USB-C only computers.
A: No additional software or drivers are needed for the switch itself. Plug-and-play USB switch compatible with any computer (Windows, macOS, Linux). However, connected devices like printers or adapters may need drivers on each computer.
A: A single press of the button on the switch instantly toggles control of the USB devices between the two connected computers. The built-in LED indicators show which system is active. Keyboard hotkey control is not supported.
A: Yes, as a USB 3.0 sharing switch it also fully supports USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices. To enjoy full USB 3.0 SuperSpeed performance, ensure both the computer and the connected devices support USB 3.0.
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
Number of Computers Supported |
2 |
2 |
Port Type |
USB 3.0 |
USB 2.0 |
Maximum Data Transfer Speed |
5 Gbps |
480 Mbps |
Ideal When Used With |
USB 3 docks, USB graphics adapters, keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, or other ultra-high speed USB peripherals |
Keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, or other high speed/full speed USB peripherals |
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USB Port Types
USB-A
pietz, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This is the standard USB connection that most computers offered prior to the introduction of USB Type-C (USB-C). Even after the introduction of USB Type-C, this is still quite common.
It can provide data transfer rates up to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gbps) specification depending on the host and device, but does not directly support video in the way that USB-C Alternate Mode does. This limitation makes DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and docking stations ideal on systems that do not have USB-C, or in instances where more displays are needed beyond available video outputs of a PC.
USB-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of connection comes in a couple different styles depending on whether USB 3.0 and higher transfer rates are supported (bottom graphic). Usually this type of connection is used to plug into USB devices that do not have a fixed cable connected, such as USB docking stations, USB hubs, printers, and others.
USB Mini-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
One of the first connectors for charging a smartphone, wireless game controller (such as the Sixaxis and DualShock 3), and other small devices such as external hard drives. Not commonly used today, but is still used in some cases. Most devices using USB Mini B are using USB 2.0, though a USB 3.0 variant does exist. This specification also added USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, though it is more commonly implemented with Micro USB.
USB Micro-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller connector that serves many of the same uses as the Mini B connector, with added optional features such as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) to allow devices like smartphones to output video to larger displays without requiring a dedicated port for video output.
The larger variant of USB-B is most commonly used for external hard drives for higher 5Gbps transfer rates.
USB-C, Thunderbolt™ 3, and Thunderbolt™ 4
Niridya , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most recent USB connection, USB Type-C (USB-C), represents a major change in what USB can do. The connector is smaller, can be connected in two orientations, is able to carry substantially more power and data, and can directly carry video signals of multiple types (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) Intel has also adapted the USB-C connector for use with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
It is important to note that while all Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are USB-C, not all USB-C connections can be used with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 devices.
More details regarding physical USB connections can be found on Wikipedia . The graphics depicted here are adapted from Wikimedia Commons by various artists under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Does the Sharing Switch Support Autosense functionality?
No, the Sharing Switch does not automatically switch to the active computer input. You must press the toggle button on the Sharing Switch to swap between inputs.
Can I Use USB 3.0 Cables Longer Than the 1.5m Cables Included With the Switch?
USB 3.0 “Super Speed” transfers are very sensitive to attenuation and interference, and these problems can become more pronounced in situations where longer cables are used. We suggest avoiding longer cables for best results and using the 1.5m cables that are included.
I’m Having Problems With My USB 3.0 Dock or Hub That Connected to the USB 3.0 Switch
With more devices connected in the "chain", we'll want to start by better isolating where the problem could lie.
-
Do the problems still occur when the dock or hub is connected directly to a USB port on your computer (bypassing the switch)?
- If the answer is yes, then this is not a problem with the switch itself and please refer to the product page of the dock or hub for more help
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Does the problem occur on both computers connected to the switch or just one of them?
- If the answer is just one, we're likely dealing with a host-specific problem
-
Does the problem occur when connected to other USB ports on the computer?
- If the answer is no, then there could be a difference between the computer's USB ports
These questions should hopefully help you isolate and understand where the issues could lie. Please contact us at support@plugable.com for more assistance, along with a copy of the answers to the above questions to assist in troubleshooting and we'd be glad to help further.
Why Is This Switch Is Not Recommended for Use With Hard Drives, Flash Drives, or Other Storage Devices?
When the button on the switch is pressed, the net effect is essentially the same as if you were to unplug the storage device from one system, and then plug it into the other. As such, the same same storage removal precautions and “best practices” must be followed to minimize the risk of data loss or corruption.
A bit of additional background may help to clarify this recommendation further. To access data on any storage device, the file system must be “mounted” by the operating system. (This is the process that results in the user seeing a corresponding drive letter for the device in Windows.) If the device is disconnected or loses power without going through the proper unmounting/ejection process, data corruption can sometimes occur. This potential data corruption is why Windows performs a lengthy chkdsk (“check disk”) process when booting back up after a power failure or a crash, and it’s the same reason you see Windows pestering you to “check the drive for errors” when you insert a flash drive that was not properly ejected.
It is also the very reason we generally do not recommend using storage devices with this switch. If control of the storage device were to be switched between systems while the storage device was being accessed, there would be the same potential for data corruption.
However, if you still wish to use a storage device with the switch, there are two potential methods of doing so while drastically reducing the risk of data corruption:
Method 1: “Eject” the device from within your Operating System prior to switching control of the device. This is the suggested procedure to perform prior to removing/switching any storage device from your system. The process for doing so varies depending which OS you are using.
- Windows: Click the icon in your taskbar/notification area titled Safely Remove Hardware, and stop/eject the appropriate device.
- Mac: Open Finder. Under the Devices category on the left, click the eject icon next to the corresponding device.
- Linux: Unmount the device by ejecting it through your graphical environment, or by using the umount command.
Method 2: (Windows Only) Enable the “Quick removal” setting for your storage device inside your operating system. Windows 7 (and later) will often implement this setting by default on devices that it detects as portable, but it is wise to confirm that this setting is enabled. Please note that while this setting reduces the risk of corruption somewhat, it is not as effective as the steps outlined in Method 1 above.
Can I Use the USB 3.0 Sharing Switch With a USB-C Dock or Hub?
No. Our Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch is not compatible with USB-C docks or hubs, as these USB-C devices often rely on USB-C features such as Alt Mode and Power Delivery to function. The USB 3.0 Type-A connection offered on the USB 3.0 switch does not support these USB-C features, so these USB-C devices are not compatible even with the use of an adapter.
Plugable does not currently offer a USB-C sharing switch at this time.
Do Plugable products support the Apple SuperDrive?
Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.
The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here → How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive
If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.
Use-Cases and Compatibility for the USB3-SWITCH2 and USB2-SWITCH2
USB switches provide a simple yet powerful way to share USB peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers across multiple systems. When paired with a USB 3.0 dock, they allow you to easily swap between multiple hosts with the single press of a button.
Common Use-Cases for the USB3-SWITCH2
-
Home Office Multi-System Use
Remote workers with separate devices for work and personal use can leverage USB switches and USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docks such as the UD-3900 or UD-6950Z to share equipment like printers or webcams. This eliminates the need for duplicate peripherals. -
Education and Training
Classrooms and labs can simplify device sharing between teacher and student computers. Adding a USB3-SWITCH2 to your UD-3900 dock setup ensures easy access without constant reconnection.
Common Use-Cases for the USB2-SWITCH2
-
Small Businesses or Studios
Photographers, designers, and other professionals can benefit by specialized equipment like scanners between multiple editing or design stations. -
Swapping USB input devices between Laptops
Users can benefit by sharing external mouse and keyboards between multiple computers
However, there are important limitations to consider when using a USB Type-A switch. Both the USB3-SWITCH2 and USB2-SWITCH are not compatible with docks or downstream devices that use USB-C Power Delivery (PD) or USB-C Alt Mode (for video delivery). Additionally, the USB2-SWITCH2 is only intended for use with lower bandwidth devices such as mice and keyboards, or other USB 2.0 Type-A devices.
Can I connect this product to a computer's Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 port?
Many users assume that USB-C devices can work with older Thunderbolt 2 Macs if they use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, such as the one made by Apple. However, this is not the case. These adapters are specifically designed to support Thunderbolt devices only - not standard USB-C peripherals.
While Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C share the same connector type, they use different underlying data protocols. Non-Thunderbolt USB-C devices, rely on USB standards for data and power. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not carry USB signals; it only passes Thunderbolt data. Because of this, plugging a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 2 Mac using this adapter will not work - the computer will not detect or communicate with the device.
If you need to connect peripherals to a Thunderbolt 2 system, we recommend using a USB-A dock or hub (if available on your system). This ensures compatibility without relying on unsupported adapter chains.
In short, even though the connectors may fit, USB-C devices are not compatible with Thunderbolt 2 Macs via Thunderbolt adapters - only Thunderbolt devices will work in that setup.
What is the maximum length Thunderbolt cable that can be used to connect a Plugable Thunderbolt docking station to the host computer?
All Thunderbolt docking stations include the appropriate Thunderbolt cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable Thunderbolt host cables that are included with Plugable Thunderbolt docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable Thunderbolt cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long Thunderbolt host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from Plugable. An example of such a cable is the Plugable TBT4-40G2M cable
Plugable does NOT support using Thunderbolt host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product.
Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of Thunderbolt extension cable or any type of signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Please note, Plugable can only guarantee the performance and compatibility of Plugable brand cables.
What is the maximum length cable that can be used to connect a Plugable USB-C docking station to the host computer?
All Plugable USB-C docking stations include the appropriate USB-C cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable USB-C host cables that are included with Plugable USB-C docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable brand USB-C cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long USB-C host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from a 3rd-party.
We recommend purchasing a cable that matches or exceeds the specifications of the original Plugable cable and purchasing said cable from both a well known and reliable brand.
Plugable does offer a 1.0 meter long USB-C extension cable (USBC-METER3-1MF) that can be used in conjunction with our USB-C docking stations. This extension cable can be combined with the original 1.0 meter long Plugable USB-C cable included in the box with the docking station to extend the overall cable length to 2.0 meters.
Plugable does NOT support using USB-C host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product. Additionally, Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of 3rd-party USB-C extension cable or signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Do I need to approve or authenticate Thunderbolt devices when I connect them to my Windows or Mac computer?
Overview
For most modern Windows and Mac systems, Thunderbolt devices are automatically approved and will ‘just work’ once connected.
The main exception is Apple Mac laptops with Apple CPUs running macOS Ventura (13) or newer, where you’ll be prompted to manually approve the device the first time you connect it.
The summary table below provides the specific details at a glance, and the text that follows explains the table in more detail.
Thunderbolt Approval / Authentication Summary Table
Why Authentication Exists
To expand further, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 are in essence external connections to the host computer’s internal PCI Express bus. This type of low-level and high speed connection warranted security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to user data.
Windows: From Intel Software to Native OS Support
When Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems were first introduced in late 2015 it was necessary to use Intel Thunderbolt software to manually authenticate and approve external Thunderbolt devices.
With the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 Windows systems in 2020, it was still necessary to have Intel Thunderbolt software installed on the host computer. However, in most cases the authentication and approval process would happen automatically greatly simplifying the process.
Starting with Windows 11 version 21H2 released in October of 2021, Microsoft integrated support for both USB4 and Thunderbolt into the Windows operating system → LINK
This means that with most modern Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 computers running the latest version of Windows 11 it is no longer necessary to install Intel Thunderbolt software on the host computer in order to manage Thunderbolt devices. In most cases, the authentication and approval process will still happen automatically.
macOS: From Intel CPUs to Apple CPUs
When Thunderbolt 3 Mac systems with Intel CPUs were first introduced in 2016, the authentication and approval mechanism was built-in to macOS and was transparent to the end user.
Apple introduced Mac computers based on Apple CPUs in 2020. Macs based on Apple CPUs running macoS 11 Big Sur or macOS 12 Monterey would automatically approve and authenticate Thunderbolt devices when connected.
macOS 13 Ventura was released in 2022 and for portable Macs with Apple CPUs Apple introduced a feature known as ‘Accessory Security’ (also known as ‘Restricted Mode’) → LINK
By default, portable Macs (i.e. laptops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS will require the end user to authenticate and approve a Thunderbolt device when initially connected.
Stationary Macs (i.e. desktops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
Apple Macs with Intel CPUs (both laptop and desktops) running macOS 13 Ventura or newer do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
