Mac storage basics · External storage and adding space

What's the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt for external drives?

Short answer: USB-C is just the connector; Thunderbolt and USB4 can be much faster than USB 3, but only if the drive, cable and port all support it. Use the drive's own cable and a direct port.

USB-C is the connector shape; Thunderbolt and various USB speeds are what run through it. Thunderbolt and USB4 drives can be much faster than USB 3 drives, but only if the drive, the cable and the Mac's port all support that speed.

Practical tips:

  • Use the cable that came with the drive, or one made for its speed.
  • Plug into the Mac directly rather than through a basic hub.
  • A USB 3 SSD is already fast enough for most work; Thunderbolt matters for large video or heavy workloads.

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