Unitek USB C to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter (Model Y-1096A) User Manual

Introduction

The Unitek USB C to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter (Model Y-1096A) provides a convenient solution for connecting 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD) to devices equipped with a USB Type-C port. This adapter supports high-speed data transfer and offers broad compatibility, making it ideal for data recovery, drive cloning, or expanding storage capacity.

Package Contents

• Unitek USB C 3.1 to SATA Hard Drive Adapter (Model Y-1096A) x1

Features

• Universal Compatibility: Supports 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDD and SSD.
• High-Speed Data Transfer: USB C 3.1 supports up to 5Gbps. SATA III supports up to 6Gbps for SSDs. Backwards compatible with USB 2.0/1.0.
• UASP Support: Efficient UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) provides up to 20% faster read and write speeds compared to traditional USB 3.1.
• Plug and Play: Tool-free installation, no drivers or software required.
• Automatic Sleep Mode: Enters sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy and extend drive lifespan.
• Protective Design: Equipped with a detachable cover for the SATA connector to protect against dust.
• LED Indicator: Blue LED light indicates power and activity status.
• Portable Design: Compact and lightweight for easy transport.

Setup Guide

1. Connect the SATA Drive:

   Align the SATA connector of your 2.5-inch HDD or SSD with the SATA interface on the Unitek adapter. Gently push the drive into the adapter until it is firmly seated. Ensure the detachable protective cap is removed before connecting the drive.

   

   Image: The Unitek USB C to SATA adapter with its detachable protective cap removed, ready to connect to a 2.5-inch SATA drive. The blue LED indicator and USB Type-C connector are visible.

2. Connect to Host Device:

   Plug the USB Type-C connector of the adapter into an available USB Type-C port on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

   

   Image: The Unitek USB C to SATA adapter with a 2.5-inch hard drive connected, and the USB-C end plugged into a laptop. The adapter is black with a blue LED indicator.

3. Power On and Access:

   The adapter is plug-and-play; no additional drivers are typically required. The blue LED indicator on the adapter will illuminate to show power and activity. Your operating system should detect the connected drive, allowing you to access its contents.

Operating Instructions

Data Transfer

Once connected, the external drive will appear as a removable storage device in your operating system. You can drag and drop files, copy, paste, or use any file management software to transfer data between your host device and the connected SATA drive.

Image: A graphic showing the UASP transfer protocol, indicating a 20% speed increase over traditional USB 3.1 for data transfer.

Image: A graphic illustrating the maximum data transfer speed of 6Gbps for SATA III SSDs, compared to 5Gbps for USB 3.0.

OTG Functionality (for compatible smartphones/tablets)

For compatible Android smartphones or tablets with USB-C ports supporting OTG (On-The-Go) functionality, you can directly connect the adapter and access files on your SATA drive. This allows for media playback or file management directly from your mobile device.

Image: A smartphone connected to the Unitek USB C to SATA adapter, which is in turn connected to an SSD. The phone screen shows a file browser, demonstrating the OTG function for accessing SSD content.

Automatic Sleep Mode

To save power and prolong the lifespan of your hard drive, the adapter will automatically enter sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity. The drive will reactivate upon access.

Image: A visual representation of the adapter's automatic sleep mode, which activates after 30 minutes of no operation to save power and extend drive life.

Compatibility

The Unitek USB C to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter is designed for broad compatibility:

• Drive Compatibility: 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDD and SSD. (Note: Not compatible with 3.5-inch SATA drives or IDE drives without additional power).
• Host Device Compatibility: Devices with a USB Type-C port, including laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones that support USB OTG.
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and Android.

Image: A graphic illustrating the adapter's support for 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD and its compatibility with various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux.

Troubleshooting

• Drive Not Detected:

  • Ensure the SATA drive is securely connected to the adapter.
  • Verify the USB-C connection to your host device is firm.
  • Try connecting to a different USB-C port on your device.
  • If it's a new drive, it might need to be initialized and formatted in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) before it appears.
  • Check if the drive itself is functional by testing it with another enclosure or system if possible.

• Slow Transfer Speeds:

  • Ensure your host device's USB-C port supports USB 3.1 (Gen 1 or Gen 2) for optimal speeds.
  • Verify the connected drive is an SSD to achieve SATA III 6Gbps speeds. HDDs will operate at their mechanical limits.
  • Close other applications that might be consuming system resources or bandwidth.
  • Confirm your operating system supports UASP for enhanced performance.

• Intermittent Connection:

  • Check for loose connections at both the SATA and USB-C ends.
  • Avoid bending the cable excessively during operation.
  • Ensure the host device provides sufficient power to the USB-C port.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

Unitek provides a 2-year warranty for this product. For technical support, warranty claims, or any inquiries, please contact Unitek customer service. Contact information can typically be found on the official Unitek website or through your purchase platform.

Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty purposes.