WD 2TB Black My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBCGL0020BSL-NESN
Status: WD 2TB Black My Passport for Mac Portable… (2TB hard drive): Unavailable on Amazon as of . Closest in-stock match (same 2TB hard drive): WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for…, $131.80 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:15 UTC (price may vary). eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.
Bottom line: The WD 2TB Black My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive: Ships pre-formatted for Mac OS X - Time Machine backup starts without reformatting; main trade-off: requires reformatting for Windows, which erases the drive.
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Currently unavailable on Amazon. Not the same product — 3 in-stock alternatives with matching specs:
Same 2TB hard drive: WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for… — $131.80 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:15 UTC (price may vary).
Same 2TB hard drive: WD 2TB Black My Passport Ultra Portable External… — $114.70 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 04:16 UTC (price may vary).
Same 2TB hard drive: WD My Passport 2TB Portable External USB 3.0… — $119.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 16:16 UTC (price may vary).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Ships pre-formatted for Mac OS X - Time Machine backup starts without reformatting
- ✓ Optional 256-bit AES encryption runs in hardware, not a software layer
- ✓ Up to 2TB capacity in a bag-sized portable enclosure, no power brick
- ✓ 3-year limited warranty from Western Digital
Cons
- ✗ Requires reformatting for Windows, which erases the drive
- ✗ USB 3.0 only - no USB-C or Thunderbolt port for newer Macs
- ✗ Spinning platter drive, so slower than an external SSD
- ✗ Password-protected encryption means a forgotten password locks data permanently
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport for Mac packs up to 2TB of portable storage into a drive that arrives pre-formatted for Mac OS X, so you can plug it into USB 3.0 and start an Apple Time Machine backup without a setup detour. Western Digital pairs that convenience with optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption: set a password only you know, and the drive locks your files at the hardware level rather than leaning on software that travels poorly between machines. That combination is the point of this drive. It is built for photographers, editors, and anyone whose working files outgrew an internal SSD but who…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored WD 2TB Black My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Western Digital's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work with Time Machine right out of the box?
Yes. The drive ships formatted for Mac OS X and lists Apple Time Machine compatibility as a supported feature, so you can select it as a backup disk after plugging in the USB 3.0 cable.
Can I use this WD My Passport with a Windows PC?
Only after reformatting. Western Digital formats the drive for Mac OS X, and reformatting for Windows erases whatever is on it. Do that step before you copy any files over.
How does the encryption work?
It is optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption. You set a password yourself to activate it, and the drive handles the encryption itself rather than relying on host software.
What warranty comes with it?
Western Digital lists a 3-year limited warranty on this model. Check the product listing for current terms and regional coverage before you buy.
Is 2TB actually enough for a Mac backup?
For most single-Mac setups, yes. Time Machine keeps incremental snapshots, so a good rule is a drive at least twice your Mac's internal storage. A 2TB drive covers a 1TB MacBook with room for versions.
Key Features
- Secure portable storage with up to 2 TB capacity
- Optional 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Compatible with Apple Time Machine
- Stylish design complements your creative style
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- Formatted for Mac OS X, reformatting required for Windows
Full Specifications
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | My Passport for Mac |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | WDBCGL0020BSL-NESN |
| Compatibility | Mac |
| Built-In Media | Hard drive - external (portable), Software, USB Cable |
| Item Type Name | Wd My Passport for Mac WDBCGL0020BSL - Hard drive - 2 TB - USB 3.0 - Black, Silver (WDBCGL0020BSL-NESN) |
| Hard-Drive Size | 2 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBCGL0020BSL-NESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Hardware Platform | PC;Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | PC, Mac |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5000 megabits_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Unspecified |
| Additional Features | Portable |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
Ready to buy?
Amazon shows no buyable offer for WD 2TB Black My Passport for Mac Portable… at the last check. The closest in-stock match with the same 2TB hard drive is WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for…. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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