Brands Guides About
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0 — main product image
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0
Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0
Western Digital

Western Digital WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.0

★★★★★4.5 (917 reviews)
USB 3.0

Keep your Mac files safe and encrypted on the go with 4TB of portable USB 3.0 storage built for Time Machine.

View price on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Western Digital My Passport for Mac 4TB is a portable external hard drive designed specifically for macOS users who need dependable, high-capacity storage they can take anywhere. Pre-formatted for Mac and fully compatible with Apple Time Machine, it is ready to serve as a backup drive the moment you plug it in. The 4TB capacity is generous enough to hold extensive photo libraries, video projects, music collections, and complete system backups without constantly managing free space.

Security is handled at the hardware level with 256-bit AES encryption, which lets you password-protect the entire drive without taxing your Mac's CPU. The drive is entirely bus-powered through its USB 3.0 connection, eliminating the need for a power adapter and keeping your travel kit simple. While the USB 3.0 interface delivers solid transfer rates for a mechanical drive, users with newer Macs should plan on using a USB-C adapter since the drive ships with a Micro-B cable. For photographers, videographers, and creative professionals who prioritize capacity and security over raw speed, the My Passport for Mac remains a practical and affordable portable storage option.

Key Features

Secure portable storage with up to 4TB capacity

Password protection and 256-bit hardware encryption

Compatible with Apple time machine

Specifications

Capacity
4TB
Interface
USB 3.0
Compatibility
Mac (pre-formatted)
Encryption
256-bit AES hardware encryption
Power
Bus-powered (USB)
Backup Software
Apple Time Machine compatible
Model
WDBCGL0040BSL-NESN

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 4TB capacity provides ample space for large media libraries, project files, and full system backups
  • Pre-formatted for macOS with native Time Machine support for immediate use
  • 256-bit AES hardware encryption protects data without relying on software performance
  • Bus-powered via USB 3.0 with no external power adapter needed
  • Portable form factor is easy to carry for on-the-go backup

👎 Cons

  • USB 3.0 Micro-B connector is less common on modern Macs, likely requiring a USB-C adapter
  • Pre-formatted for Mac only—Windows use requires reformatting and loses Mac compatibility
  • Mechanical hard drive is slower and more fragile than an SSD alternative
  • No included USB-C cable or adapter despite Mac's transition to USB-C ports

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The drive comes pre-formatted for macOS, so you can plug it in and start transferring files or setting up Time Machine immediately.
The drive uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption. You set a password through WD's software, and the encryption is handled by the drive itself rather than your Mac's processor.
It is formatted for Mac out of the box. To use it with Windows, you would need to reformat the drive, which erases macOS compatibility unless you use third-party software.
No. The My Passport for Mac is bus-powered through its USB 3.0 connection, so no separate power adapter is needed.

Related Products