Connect the My Passport to your computer with its supplied USB cable, open it in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), then copy files or folders onto it. You can use ordinary copy-and-paste or drag-and-drop; WD says additional software is not required for basic file storage. Keep the originals until the transfer finishes and you have checked the copies.
Copy files to a My Passport drive
- Connect the drive. Turn on your computer and sign in. Plug the My Passport directly into a USB port using the cable supplied with that drive. WD recommends a direct connection rather than a USB hub during setup. WD’s external-drive troubleshooting guidance covers these connection steps.
- Open the external drive. In Windows, open File Explorer and select the My Passport drive under This PC. On a Mac, open Finder and select the drive in the sidebar or under Locations. The displayed drive name may differ by model or setup.
- Find the files to copy. In Windows, check folders such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos. On a Mac, common locations include Desktop, Documents, and Downloads.
- Copy the files. Select the files or folders, choose Copy, open the My Passport drive, and choose Paste. You can also drag files into the drive window. Copy rather than Cut, Paste, or Move: if a transfer is interrupted, moving files can risk losing them from the original location.
- Verify and eject. Wait for copying to finish, then open a few copied files or check that the expected folders and files are present. Eject the drive using Windows’ Safely Remove/Eject option or Finder’s Eject control before unplugging it. WD provides additional transfer and ejection guidance.
If you cannot copy files to the drive
Check the drive’s format
A drive’s file system affects which computers can read and write to it. Western Digital describes the typical compatibility this way:
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| Format | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| NTFS | Read and write | Read-only |
| HFS+ | Not seen by Windows | Works with macOS |
| exFAT | Read and write | Read and write |
These compatibility details come from WD’s external-drive guidance and formatting instructions. If a Mac can open an NTFS drive but cannot save files to it, or Windows does not show an HFS+ drive, the format may explain the problem.
Do not format just to make it appear
Formatting erases the drive’s contents. Do not format it as a troubleshooting shortcut, especially if it contains files you need. If you want a drive that supports reading and writing on both Windows and macOS, WD identifies exFAT as the cross-platform option. Before changing the format, copy all needed data somewhere safe and follow WD’s formatting steps.
#1 Best Overall
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- 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
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
If the My Passport does not show up
- Use the supplied cable and connect the drive directly to the computer, not through a hub.
- Try another USB port on the computer.
- Check whether the computer detects the drive in Windows Disk Management or macOS Disk Utility. If it appears there but not in File Explorer or Finder, check its file system before making changes; do not format it if you need its contents.
- If you must use a hub, WD recommends a powered hub and removing other devices from it. Its USB hub guidance notes that hubs can cause power, compatibility, or transfer-rate problems.
Does copying to My Passport count as a backup?
Copying files from a computer to one external drive gives you another copy, but it is not a complete backup if that drive becomes the only copy in one location. Keep important files on another separate device or in another location as well. WD points to Windows File History and macOS Time Machine as built-in backup options.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- World’s First 6TB 2.5” Portable Hard Drive
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- 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
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
Rank #4
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- 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
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Rank #3
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- 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
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Rank #2
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
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