USB Connection FAQ

• USB 1.0/1.1 (1996/1998): 1.5 Mbps (Low Speed) and 12 Mbps (Full Speed)
• USB 2.0 (2000): 480 Mbps (High Speed) - still very common today
• USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (2008): 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed)
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 (2013): 10 Gbps (SuperSpeed+)
• USB 3.2 Gen 1: 5 Gbps (same as USB 3.0)
• USB 3.2 Gen 2: 10 Gbps (same as USB 3.1 Gen 2)
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: 20 Gbps (using two lanes)
• USB 4.0 (2019): 20-40 Gbps (depending on implementation)
• USB 4.0 Gen 2: 20 Gbps
• USB 4.0 Gen 3: 40 Gbps

Note: The naming has become confusing over the years. USB 3.0 was rebranded to USB 3.1 Gen 1, then to USB 3.2 Gen 1. The actual speeds are what matter most.

Several factors affect actual USB transfer speeds:

• Cable quality: Poor cables can't handle high speeds
• Device limitations: Your device might not support the maximum USB version
• Port limitations: Your computer's USB port might be older
• Driver issues: Outdated or missing drivers
• System overhead: The actual data transfer is slower than the theoretical maximum

This is exactly why USB Connection Information is so useful - it shows you the actual negotiated speed between your device and port.

FireWire (IEEE 1394) was Apple's high-speed connection standard, while USB was developed by Intel and others. Here are the key differences:

Why USB won: USB became the universal standard due to its lower cost, wider industry support, and continuous evolution. FireWire was technically superior in some ways but couldn't compete with USB's ecosystem and pricing.

USB-C is confusing because it's a connector type, not a standard. A USB-C cable can support different protocols:

• USB 2.0 over USB-C: Only 480 Mbps
• USB 3.1 Gen 1 over USB-C: 5 Gbps
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 over USB-C: 10 Gbps
• USB 4.0 over USB-C: 20-40 Gbps
• Thunderbolt 3/4 over USB-C: 40 Gbps + video/audio

The problem: All these cables look identical! A cheap USB-C cable might only support USB 2.0 speeds, while an expensive one supports USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt. This is exactly the problem USB Connection Information solves.

These were smaller versions of USB connectors used in mobile devices:

• Mini-USB: Older standard, mostly obsolete (found on old cameras, MP3 players).
• Micro-USB: Still common in budget devices, older Android phones.
• USB-C: Replacing both in modern devices.

Micro-USB typically only supports USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), which is why modern devices are moving to USB-C for faster charging and data transfer.

USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is a specification that allows for higher power transfer over a USB-C connection. It enables devices to negotiate power requirements for faster and more flexible charging.

• Standard USB 2.0/3.0: Up to 4.5W (5V, 0.9A)
• Standard USB-C (without PD): Up to 15W (5V, 3A)
• USB-PD: Up to 100W (e.g., 20V, 5A), with some newer specs pushing even higher.

USB-PD enables fast charging for phones, laptops, and other devices. The power is negotiated, so a high-power charger won't damage a low-power device.

Common USB issues and their solutions:

• Device not recognized: Try a different USB port, check drivers, or restart your computer.
• Slow transfer speeds: You might be using a USB 2.0 port or cable with a USB 3.0 device. Check for blue-colored ports (usually USB 3.0) and use a high-quality cable.
• Intermittent connection: Could be a loose cable, damaged port, or power issues.
• Device disconnects randomly: Check cable quality, try different port, update drivers.

Pro tip: Use USB Connection Information to see exactly what speed your device is running at - this often reveals the root cause of performance issues.

There are several ways to check USB port speed on Mac:

• System Information: Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report → USB.
• Terminal command: system_profiler SPUSBDataType
• USB Connection Information app: Shows real-time speed in menu bar.

The USB Connection Information app is the easiest way - it displays the current connection speed right in your menu bar, so you can instantly see if your device is running at USB 2.0, 3.0, or higher speeds.

Key differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0:

No! This is one of the biggest sources of confusion with USB-C. All USB-C cables look identical, but they can support very different capabilities:

• Cheap USB-C cables: Often only support USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) and low-power charging.
• Mid-range cables: Support USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) or Gen 2 (10 Gbps).
• High-end cables: Support USB 4.0 (20-40 Gbps) or Thunderbolt 3/4 (40 Gbps) and high-power delivery (up to 100W).

The solution: Use USB Connection Information to see what your cable and port actually negotiate. A $5 cable might look the same as a $50 cable, but the performance difference can be massive.

Yes! USB-C can carry video signals through "Alternate Modes":

• DisplayPort Alt Mode: Native support, up to 8K resolution.
• HDMI Alt Mode: Less common, but can be used (often via adapter), up to 4K.
• Thunderbolt: Can carry DisplayPort signals as part of its protocol.

This is why many modern laptops only have USB-C ports - they can handle data, power, and video. However, not all USB-C ports support video output, so check your device specifications.

Slow USB-C charging can be caused by several factors:

• Wrong cable: Not all USB-C cables support high-power (USB-PD) charging. You need a cable rated for it.
• Wrong charger: Need a charger that supports USB-PD and offers sufficient wattage.
• Port limitations: The USB-C port on your computer or hub might not support high-power output.
• Device limitations: Your device might not support fast charging.

USB Connection Information can help by showing you the power delivery capabilities of your connection, helping you identify if it's a cable, port, or device issue.

The USB naming scheme has become very confusing. Here's a simple breakdown:

• USB 3.0: The original name (5 Gbps)
• USB 3.1 Gen 1: Same as USB 3.0, just renamed (5 Gbps)
• USB 3.2 Gen 1: Same as USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)

• USB 3.1 Gen 2: The 10 Gbps standard.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2: Same as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)

• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: Uses two lanes for 20 Gbps (requires specific cables/ports).

Bottom line: Focus on the actual speed (5 Gbps vs 10 Gbps vs 20 Gbps) rather than the confusing naming scheme.

Thunderbolt is Intel's high-speed connection standard that uses the USB-C connector. USB 4.0 is largely based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol.

Thunderbolt is essentially a more advanced, certified version of USB4 with guaranteed minimum performance and features like daisy-chaining.

You can check your Mac's USB capabilities in several ways:

• Check your Mac model: Most Macs from 2012 onwards support USB 3.0.
• System Information: Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report → USB. Look for "USB 3.0 Bus", "USB 3.1 Bus", etc.
• Look at the ports: USB 3.0 ports are often blue. USB-C ports support USB 3.1 or higher.
• Use USB Connection Information: The app shows real-time connection speeds.

USB Connection Information (standalone) is the individual USB monitoring app available on the Mac App Store.

Connection Information Suite 2 is a comprehensive bundle that includes USB Connection Information plus three additional apps: Network Connection Information, Audio Connection Information, and Display Connection Information. The standalone USB app is still available if you only need USB monitoring, but Suite 2 provides complete visibility into all your Mac's connections.

Connection Information Center is a standalone windowed application that complements the menu bar apps. Instead of separating connection data into individual menu bar items, Connection Information Center aggregates all that connection information into a single, traditional user interface. It provides a comprehensive view of your USB, Network, Audio, and Display connections in one place. Additionally, it includes a built-in glossary feature that defines technical properties and explains complex terms (such as what "bitrate" means), making it ideal for users who want to understand the technical details of their connections.

Mac App Store: Download from the Mac App Store and install normally.

Direct Purchase: Download the .dmg file from your purchase email and install by dragging to Applications folder.

Linux: Follow the installation instructions in the GitHub repository.

Make sure your device is properly connected and recognized by your system. Some devices may require specific drivers or permissions. The app can only show devices that the operating system has successfully recognized.

No. USB Connection Information operates entirely on your device and does not collect or transmit any data. See our Privacy Policy for more details.