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WD 5TB My Passport for Mac, Navy, Portable External Hard Drive with backup software and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBA2F0050BBL-WESN
Western Digital

Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport for Mac (WDBA2F0050BBL-WESN)

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport for Mac ($258.38 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 5TB capacity handles Time Machine plus years of 4K project files; main trade-off: spinning hard drive, so far slower than an SSD of the same price.

$258.38

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Buy on Amazon — $258.38 Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 5TB capacity handles Time Machine plus years of 4K project files
  • ✓ Mac-ready out of the box, no reformat step before first backup
  • ✓ USB-C and USB-A compatible, works with new and older Macs
  • ✓ Password protection plus WD backup software with ransomware defense

Cons

  • ✗ Spinning hard drive, so far slower than an SSD of the same price
  • ✗ 5TB sits below the 6TB top capacity in the My Passport line
  • ✗ Mechanical platters are vulnerable to drops during transport
  • ✗ Bundled WD software is Mac-focused, limiting cross-platform use

Manufacturer description

The WD My Passport for Mac gives you 5TB of portable storage in a navy enclosure that fits in your palm, purpose-built for macOS users who need to move large photo libraries, 4K video projects, and archives between machines. Western Digital ships it Mac-ready and USB-C compatible, so it connects to current MacBooks and iMacs as well as older USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 ports without a separate adapter purchase for USB-A machines. Included device management software handles scheduled backups and adds defense against ransomware, while built-in password protection with hardware encryption keeps the…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport for Mac 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 reformat this drive before using it with my Mac?

No. The My Passport for Mac ships Mac-ready, so you can connect it and start a Time Machine backup without reformatting. If you later want to use it with Windows, you would need to reformat it.

Will it work with a MacBook that only has USB-C ports?

Yes. Western Digital lists this drive as Mac-ready and USB-C compatible, and it is also backward compatible with USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 USB-A ports.

How much can 5TB actually hold?

5TB is enough for a full Time Machine history plus large photo libraries and 4K video projects. Capacity in the My Passport for Mac line goes up to 6TB if you need more headroom.

Is my data protected if the drive is lost or stolen?

The drive includes password protection, and the bundled device management software adds defense against ransomware. Check the product listing for the exact encryption specification.

Key Features

  • Designed for Mac.
  • Slim durable design to help take your important files with you.
  • Mac-ready and USB-C compatible for effortless connectivity and functionality.
  • Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more.
  • Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware.

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorNavy
Model NameMy Passport for Mac
Read Speed130 Megabytes Per Second
Unit Count1.0 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
ConnectivityUSB-C
Model NumberWDBA2F0050BBL-WESN
CompatibilityMac
Built-In MediaMy Passport for Mac portable hard drive, Software[2] for device management and backup with password protection, Quick install guide, SuperSpeed USB-A cable (5Gbps), USB-A to USB-C adapter
Hard-Drive Size5 TB
Mfr Part NumberWDBA2F0050BBL-WESN
Number of Items1
Special FeatureHardware Encryption, Portable
Hardware PlatformMac
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop
Data Transfer Rate1 Megabytes Per Second
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Additional FeaturesHardware Encryption, Portable
Full listing titleWD 5TB My Passport for Mac, Navy, Portable External Hard Drive with backup software and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBA2F0050BBL-WESN

Ready to buy?

WD 5TB My Passport for Mac, Navy, Portable External Hard Drive with backup software and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBA2F0050BBL-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.

Buy on Amazon — $258.38

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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WD 5TB My Passport for Mac, Navy, Portable External Hard Drive with backup software and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBA2F0050BBL-WESN
$258.38
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