USB 4.2 cable not playing nice with MacMiniPro

Trying to connect external drives to my 2026 MacMiniPro

Bought this great new cable from AOHI (Adonis USB4.2 LED DISPLAY CABLE)…but everything I try and use it for does not work.

https://iaohi.com/products/aohi-the-future-adonis-usb4-2-0-240w-led-display-usb-c-to-usb-c-cable-3-3ft-120gbps-8k-pd3-1?variant=45702037995710

Tried Googling the issue: it says to"Allow accessories” in my settings….but that must be an old suggestion or it only appears if there's an un-authorized accessory as that does not appear in my settings.