For years, figuring out whether a USB-C cable supports fast charging or high-speed data transfer has been a guessing game—or required buying a separate tester. Now, Mac users with Apple Silicon can get the answers for free with an app called WhatCable.
Created by developer Darryl Morley, WhatCable lives in your Mac's menu bar and reads data your computer already collects about connected USB devices—data that Apple normally keeps hidden. Click the icon, and you'll see every USB-C cable and device attached, along with crucial details like power delivery capability, data speed, and supported protocols.
"It works by reading the data your Mac already collects about attached USB devices, data that Apple doesn't normally pass along to you," Morley explained. The app makes it easy to identify which cables are worth keeping and which are best relegated to the junk drawer.
WhatCable is especially useful for sorting through the inevitable pile of cables that accumulate over time. Instead of labeling or testing each one, you can plug them in and immediately see their specs. The app also shows detailed information for hubs, monitors, and other USB-C peripherals.
Best of all, it's completely free. No ads, no subscriptions—just a simple, elegant tool that solves a real problem. Download it from WhatCable.uk and start demystifying your cable collection today.