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WD Portable Hard Drive, 2TB USB3.0, White, My Passport Encryption, Password Protection, External Hard Disk / WDBYVG0020BWT-WESN
Western Digital

Western Digital WD Portable Hard Drive

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD Portable Hard Drive ($169.95 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): AES 256-bit hardware encryption keeps data locked if the drive is lost; main trade-off: comes formatted as NTFS; using it on a Mac needs a reformat that wipes the drive.

$169.95

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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 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ AES 256-bit hardware encryption keeps data locked if the drive is lost
  • ✓ Password protection blocks people who shouldn't have access
  • ✓ 2TB capacity handles full laptop backups and large photo libraries
  • ✓ USB 3.0, and also works in USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports
  • ✓ 3-year Western Digital manufacturer warranty

Cons

  • ✗ Comes formatted as NTFS; using it on a Mac needs a reformat that wipes the drive
  • ✗ USB Micro-B port on the drive instead of USB-C
  • ✗ Included cable is USB-A; USB-C-only laptops need an adapter
  • ✗ Official Windows support lists only Windows 10 and 8.1

Manufacturer description

The Western Digital My Passport 2TB portable hard drive gives you a compact place to back up files, store photo libraries and carry project archives between machines. Security is built in. AES 256-bit hardware encryption and password protection keep the data on the drive locked if you lose it or leave it behind. It connects over USB 3.0 using the included USB-A to USB Micro-B cable. It also works in USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports, so older laptops and desktops can still use it. The drive comes formatted as NTFS for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, so it is ready to plug in on…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD Portable 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 the WD My Passport 2TB work with a Mac?

Yes, but it has to be reformatted first. The drive comes formatted as NTFS for Windows, and Western Digital says a reformat is required for Mac OS X. Reformatting erases the drive, so do it before you store any files.

What cable comes with this drive, and what ports does it work with?

It includes a USB-A to USB Micro-B cable. The drive uses USB 3.0 and also works in USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports. If your computer only has USB-C ports, you will need an adapter or a different cable.

How does the encryption on this drive work?

The My Passport uses AES 256-bit hardware encryption plus password protection. Without the password, someone who finds or takes the drive can't read the files on it.

How long is the warranty on the WD My Passport 2TB?

Western Digital includes a 3-year manufacturer warranty. Warranty service can vary by region, so check the product listing and Western Digital's support site for the terms where you live.

Which versions of Windows does this drive support?

The listed supported versions are Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, and the drive comes formatted as NTFS for them. For other Windows versions, check Western Digital's current compatibility information before you buy.

Key Features

  • Capacity: 2TB
  • Supported OS (Windows): Windows 10,8.1
  • Compatible OS (Mac): Mac OS X *Please reformat it is required for use with Mac
  • Connection Standard/Drive Format: USB 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB3.2 Gen1 / USB3.1 Gen1 / USB 2.0) (USB-A to USB Micro-B cable included) / NTFS
  • Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorWhite
Capacity2TB
Unit Count1 Count
Form FactorPortable
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberWDBYVG0020BWT-WESN
CompatibilityMac
Built-In Mediacables
Hard-Drive Size2 TB
Mfr Part NumberWDBYVG0020BWT-WESN
Number of Items1
Special FeatureNon-slip
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Additional FeaturesNon-slip
Compatible OS (Mac)Mac OS X *Please reformat it is required for use with Mac
Hard Disk InterfaceUSB 3.0
Hard Disk DescriptionMechanical Hard Disk
Hard Disk Form Factor2.5 inches
Full listing titleWD Portable Hard Drive, 2TB USB3.0, White, My Passport Encryption, Password Protection, External Hard Disk / WDBYVG0020BWT-WESN

Ready to buy?

WD Portable Hard Drive, 2TB USB3.0, White, My Passport Encryption, Password Protection, External Hard Disk / WDBYVG0020BWT-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 — $169.95

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

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