Connect your Chromebook to Thunderbolt & USB4 accessories

Important: Make sure that both your Chromebook and the accessory support USB4 and Thunderbolt. Compatible devices often have the Thunderbolt image printed on the device’s connector.

Before you start

To connect new Thunderbolt or USB4 accessories, you must be signed in to your Chromebook and the screen must be unlocked. 

Turn on Thunderbolt & USB4

A Thunderbolt accessory may require direct memory access to work properly and at full performance. If your Thunderbolt accessory doesn’t automatically work when you plug it in, turn off data access protection on your Chromebook. For maximum security, protection for direct memory access by external accessories is turned on by default.

1. On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings   Security and Privacy.
3. Turn off Data access protection for peripherals. 
   • If you can’t find this setting, your Chromebook doesn’t support USB4 or Thunderbolt.

Tip: If your accessories don’t work properly, try these steps.

• Wait a few seconds.
• Disconnect and reconnect the devices to your Chromebook.
• Turn Data access protection for peripherals off and on again.