Your USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable connects your Mac and its external hard drive. This cable allows your Mac to transfer files to and from your external drive. Your USB cable can also provide the power to your drive. Assuming your drive is USB powered as many of the portable external hard drives are now. Connecting a USB-C drive to an older Thunderbolt 2 MacBook Pro Just purchased a USB-C ext. Drive that I want to use for my Time Machine B/U with an older MBP 15 that uses TB2. The new drive will connect to my USB-2 port but I want the faster TB2 speed.
USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of port, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2 or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when orientated correctly.
How To Connect Usb Drive To Macbook Pro
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available on Mac as standard USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 3 ports and Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. They all look the same and the connector can be plugged into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Freeware audio recording software. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPowerdeliveryUSB 4Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
- Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to a USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognise a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
- Check all connections: unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
- Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
- Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the manufacturer of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
- If your device came with an AC power adapter, you should use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
- Restart your Mac.
Learn more
- USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
- Mac notebook computers with USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt/USB 4 can charge via that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.
The USB-C to USB Adapter connects a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port to a device that uses a USB-A cable.
To connect an iPad Pro or iPad Air with USB-C to the USB-A port on a Mac, use a third-party cable such as the mophie USB-A Cable with USB-C Connector. Hp full feature software. Digital image software for windows 10.
Data transfer and charging other devices
Macbook Pro 16 Usb Port
USB-A
Use the USB-A port of this adapter with flash drives, cameras, USB hubs, and other devices that connect to USB-A for data transfer or charging. It supports data-transfer speeds up to 5Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 1).
For example, you can connect the Apple Lightning to USB Cable to this port to sync and charge your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Or use the Apple USB-C to Lightning cable to connect your iOS device without an adapter.
This adapter requires no power to operate, but devices that you plug into it might draw power from your Mac. To connect to USB-A devices and charge your MacBook at the same time, you can use the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter or Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter, which also provides a USB-C port for charging.
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