WhatCable is an open-source macOS utility that displays the actual capabilities of connected USB-C cables in plain English, helping users understand why devices might be charging slowly or lacking high-speed data transfer. By leveraging macOS's IOKit framework, it translates technical specifications like Thunderbolt 4 or USB 2.0 limits into user-friendly menu bar notifications. This tool addresses the common confusion caused by the physical uniformity of USB-C connectors despite their vastly different underlying standards.
Background
USB-C has become the standard connector for many devices, but the cables vary significantly in speed, power delivery, and protocol support (e.g., Thunderbolt vs. basic USB 2.0). Users often struggle to identify which cable is limiting their device's performance because the connectors look identical.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Jul 15, 2026 at 01:00 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10