{"id":"external-drives.how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed","url":"/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed","category":{"id":"external-drives","title":"External drives"},"subcategory":{"id":"speed-and-hardware","title":"Speed, cables and hardware"},"question":"How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at?","alt_questions":["Check USB speed of external drive Mac","Is my drive connected at full speed?","System Information USB speed","external SSD running at USB 2 speed","link speed external drive macos"],"short_answer":"In System Information, open USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click the drive to see the connection speed it negotiated. If it's lower than expected, try a better cable, plug in directly and try another port.","answer_markdown":"Open **System Information** (hold Option and choose **Apple menu → System Information**), then select **USB** or **Thunderbolt/USB4** under Hardware and click your drive. It shows the speed the connection was negotiated at, which can be lower than the drive's maximum.\n\nIf it's lower than expected:\n\n- Try a different cable — many USB-C cables, especially charging cables, only carry slower data.\n- Plug directly into the Mac instead of through a hub or adapter.\n- Try another port.\n\nStorage Studio's drive check measures the speed you actually get, which is the number that matters for moved apps and folders — see [how the speed test works](/faq/external-drives/how-does-the-drive-speed-test-work).","answer_html":"

Open System Information (hold Option and choose Apple menu → System Information), then select USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click your drive. It shows the speed the connection was negotiated at, which can be lower than the drive's maximum.

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If it's lower than expected:

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Storage Studio's drive check measures the speed you actually get, which is the number that matters for moved apps and folders — see how the speed test works.

","answer_text":"Open System Information (hold Option and choose Apple menu → System Information), then select USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click your drive. It shows the speed the connection was negotiated at, which can be lower than the drive's maximum.\n\nIf it's lower than expected:\n\n- Try a different cable — many USB-C cables, especially charging cables, only carry slower data.\n- Plug directly into the Mac instead of through a hub or adapter.\n- Try another port.\n\nStorage Studio's drive check measures the speed you actually get, which is the number that matters for moved apps and folders — see how the speed test works.","tags":["usb speed","system information","cable"],"related":[{"id":"external-drives.does-the-cable-matter-for-an-external-ssd","question":"Does the cable matter for my external SSD's speed?","url":"/faq/external-drives/does-the-cable-matter-for-an-external-ssd"},{"id":"external-drives.how-does-the-drive-speed-test-work","question":"How does the drive speed test in Storage Studio work?","url":"/faq/external-drives/how-does-the-drive-speed-test-work"},{"id":"external-drives.why-is-my-external-ssd-slower-than-advertised","question":"Why is my external SSD slower than the speed on the box?","url":"/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-external-ssd-slower-than-advertised"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"In System Information, open USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click the drive to see the connection speed it negotiated. If it's lower than expected, try a better cable, plug in directly and try another port.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"External drives","path":"/faq/external-drives/"},{"name":"How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at?","path":"/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at?","alternateName":["Check USB speed of external drive Mac","Is my drive connected at full speed?","System Information USB speed","external SSD running at USB 2 speed","link speed external drive macos"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Open System Information (hold Option and choose Apple menu → System Information), then select USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click your drive. It shows the speed the connection was negotiated at, which can be lower than the drive's maximum.\n\nIf it's lower than expected:\n\n- Try a different cable — many USB-C cables, especially charging cables, only carry slower data.\n- Plug directly into the Mac instead of through a hub or adapter.\n- Try another port.\n\nStorage Studio's drive check measures the speed you actually get, which is the number that matters for moved apps and folders — see how the speed test works.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed"}}]},"fragment":"
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External drives · Speed, cables and hardware

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How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at?

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Short answer: In System Information, open USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click the drive to see the connection speed it negotiated. If it's lower than expected, try a better cable, plug in directly and try another port.

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Open System Information (hold Option and choose Apple menu → System Information), then select USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click your drive. It shows the speed the connection was negotiated at, which can be lower than the drive's maximum.

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If it's lower than expected:

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  • Try a different cable — many USB-C cables, especially charging cables, only carry slower data.
  • Plug directly into the Mac instead of through a hub or adapter.
  • Try another port.
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Storage Studio's drive check measures the speed you actually get, which is the number that matters for moved apps and folders — see how the speed test works.

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Last reviewed

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Related questions

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