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.
- On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time.
- Select Settings
Privacy and security.
- Turn off Block Thunderbolt or USB4 accessories from accessing and sharing memory (RAM).
- If you can’t find this setting, your Chromebook doesn’t support USB4 or Thunderbolt.
Privacy and security.Tip: If your accessories don’t work properly, try these steps.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Disconnect and reconnect the devices to your Chromebook.
- Turn Block Thunderbolt or USB4 accessories from accessing and sharing memory (RAM) off and on again.