How to identify USB version of a USB cable

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Level 1

65 points

How to identify USB version of a USB cable

I bought this USB-C cable on Amazon:

Unfortunately the site above doesn't say whether it's USB 2.0, USB 3.0, etc. USB 2.0 supports a data speed of 480 Mbit/s while USB 3.0 supports 4.8 Gbit/s. That is a huge difference. Amazon says that the original USB-C cable from Apple supports USB 3.0, but the packaging says "Supports charging and USB 2". So what's right?

Is there a way to somehow check it directly on the cable? I know there is a section called "Thunderbolt Bridge" under "Network" in System Settings on Mac, does this have anything to do with the ports on the computer? Maybe there's a feature on the Mac to show what USB version the cables you've connected have.

And another question: Do Apple cables have a serial number on it? I couldn't find one on the cable.

Thanks.

Posted on Apr 4, 2023 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,552 points

Apr 6, 2023 9:56 AM in response to Killarnee

The Apple USB-C charge cable is a USB2 data cable. As you have already mentioned the description mentions the USB2 transfer limitations. Don't believe everything you see on Amazon as there is so much information on that site. Amazon can be useful & convenient, but take everything shown there with a grain of salt.

Thunderbolt3/4 cables should have a lightning bolt icon on their cable connectors which should also include support USB3/4 capabilities since USB3/4 is a subset of the standard. There is a chance you may encounter USB-C cables which may have a USB symbol on it symbolizing USB protocol. If that is the case, then you need to go by the USB marking to know which USB protocols are supported....Thunderbolt won't be supported if there is only a USB symbol (trident like symbol).

Unfortunately the whole USB-C, USB3/4, Thunderbolt3/4 thing is a confusing mess which is only made worse with manufacturers & vendors who don't clearly mark/label their products and marketing materials/pages.

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Answer 2

Ptaxey

Level 6

8,089 points

Apr 4, 2023 12:39 PM in response to Killarnee

Hi!

The transfer speed of the Apple USB-C Charge Cable depends on the type of USB standard it supports and the device it is connected to.

If the cable is connected to a USB-C port on a device that supports USB 3.1 Gen 2, the maximum transfer speed would be up to 10 Gbps (gigabits per second). If the device only supports USB 2.0 or USB 3.1 Gen 1, the maximum transfer speed would be up to 480 Mbps (megabits per second) or 5 Gbps, respectively.

Briefly: those shouldn't be worse than Thunderbolt 3

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,250 points

Apr 6, 2023 10:10 AM in response to Killarnee

Maybe these might help:

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How to identify USB version of a USB cable

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