At the beginning of January 2022, Microsoft made some changes to OneDrive for Apple users. The way how ‘Files On-Demand experience’ works is one of these.

If you are using macOS Monterey 12.3 or later, you will see that the Files On-Demand Experience will be permanently turned on on your Mac devices.

How to keep saving your files

Having the ‘Files On-Demand Experience’ turned on does not mean that your files will be automatically saved in One Drive if you are not connected to the internet.

If you want to work offline with a specific file or folder, turn on the function called ‘Always Keep on this Device’. Microsoft calls this action 'pinning': through this, your changes will be saved.

How to turn on the function:

1. Open your OneDrive folder
2. Right-click on the file you want to save
3. Click on 'Always Keep on this Device'

If you need help to do that, have a look at the video presented in the Microsoft article ‘Inside the new Files On-Demand Experience on macOS’.

You can apply the same function to your folders.

Meaning of the grey check mark icon

Once you have turned on the function 'Always Keep on this Device', you will be able to work on your documents even if you are not connected to the internet. 

If you are working offline, you will find a grey check mark next to the name of the file. 

Meaning of the cloud icon

Next to the name of your file, you may also see the icon of a cloud with an arrow pointing down.

This icon means that the last version of your file has not been downloaded yet: once online, click on the icon to upload your last changes. 

Useful links

• Inside the new Files On-Demand Experience on macOS
• Microsoft 365 Support Centre