Western Digital
Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive HDD
Bottom line: The Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra ($254.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Ships macOS-formatted and Time Machine ready, no Disk Utility reformat needed; main trade-off: spinning HDD, so far slower than an SSD for scratch or editing work.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Ships macOS-formatted and Time Machine ready, no Disk Utility reformat needed
- ✓ 4TB capacity handles multi-year Time Machine history or large video libraries
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection built in
- ✓ Works with both USB-C and USB 3.1 hosts
Cons
- ✗ Spinning HDD, so far slower than an SSD for scratch or editing work
- ✗ Mac formatting means reformatting before Windows can write to it
- ✗ WD requires the latest macOS version, a hurdle on older unsupported Macs
- ✗ Metal cover adds bulk and weight versus plastic portable drives
Manufacturer description
The Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra for Mac arrives macOS-formatted and Time Machine ready, so you can plug it into a USB-C MacBook or iMac and start a backup without running Disk Utility first. The refined metal cover in silver matches Apple's industrial design rather than fighting it, and the 4TB capacity gives you room for years of Time Machine snapshots, Final Cut libraries, or a photo archive that outgrew your internal SSD. Connectivity covers both USB-C and USB 3.1, so it works with modern Thunderbolt/USB-C Macs and older USB-A machines via an adapter. Security is handled in…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra 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
Do I need to format this drive before using it with my Mac?
No. The My Passport Ultra for Mac ships formatted for macOS and is Time Machine compatible out of the box. Western Digital does recommend updating your Mac to the latest macOS version first.
Does it work with USB-C MacBooks and older USB-A Macs?
It is USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible, so it connects directly to USB-C Macs. For a USB-A port you will need a USB-C to USB-A cable or adapter.
Can I password protect the files on this drive?
Yes. The drive includes password protection backed by 256-bit AES hardware encryption, so files stay locked without relying on software-only encryption.
How much can 4TB actually hold?
4TB is enough for several years of Time Machine snapshots on a typical MacBook, or a large photo and video archive. Actual capacity depends on your Mac's internal drive size and retention.
Is this drive reliable based on buyer feedback?
Buyer feedback indicates strong satisfaction with the drive's reliability. For warranty length and current coverage terms, check the product listing before buying.
Key Features
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
- NOTE : Make sure the Mac computers are upgraded with the latest version of MacOS
Full Specifications
| NOTE | Make sure the Mac computers are upgraded with the latest version of MacOS |
|---|---|
| Brand | Western Digital |
| Color | Silver |
| Model Name | My Passport Ultra for Mac |
| Read Speed | 5 gigabytes_per_second |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | up to 5000 MB/s |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | WDBPMV0040BSL-WESN |
| Compatibility | Mac |
| Built-In Media | My Passport Ultra for Mac portable storage, Quick Start Guide, USB 3.0 cable |
| Item Type Name | WD 4TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3-C - WDBPMV0040BSL-WESN |
| Hard-Drive Size | 4 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBPMV0040BSL-WESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | MAC |
| Full listing title | Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible - WDBPMV0040BSL-WESN |
Ready to buy?
Western Digital 4TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C and USB 3.1 Compatible - WDBPMV0040BSL-WESN is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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