This article explains how to install and set up OneDrive on Mac, change the location folder, turn on Finder integration, and sync your SharePoint sites. This article is a summary of the Microsoft Support article “Sync files with OneDrive on macOS”.

Please note that synchronized files will potentially take up a significant amount of local hard disk space if everything is synced. You can find further information about creating files on-demand following the Microsoft Support article “Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Mac - Microsoft Support”.

OneDrive can be easily accessed using a web browser – in that case, your files stay in the cloud, and you will save space.

 

 

Introduction

When you install the Microsoft OneDrive sync app for Mac, a copy of your OneDrive is downloaded to your Mac and put in the OneDrive folder in Finder. This folder is kept in sync with OneDrive.

If you add, change, or delete a file or folder on the OneDrive website, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted in your OneDrive folder and vice versa.

Maximum size upload

To upload files to OneDrive automatically, just copy or move the files to your OneDrive folder using  Finder, or save them in your OneDrive folder from an app.

Files you upload this way can be:

• Up to 250 GB in size, if you are signed in to a Microsoft account,
• 15 GB, if you are signed in to a work or school account.

If you installed the OneDrive app on other computers, the files will automatically be added to the OneDrive folders on them, too.

 

Making changes from Finder

You can use Finder to do the following actions on your files:

• Rename and delete files
• Create new folders
• Move files around in your OneDrive folder.

The changes will automatically be made in OneDrive and your other computers that have the sync app installed.

The sync app lets you sync files from your OneDrive for work or school and even from Microsoft SharePoint sites if your admin enabled it.

---

Back to the top

 

Install and set up OneDrive for Mac

If you have signed in to the OneDrive sync app with a Microsoft account (for example, someone@outlook.com), you should already have the sync app and you can skip to step 3.

Step 1 – Install OneDrive for Mac

Download and install OneDrive for Mac

If you are currently using the OneDrive Mac Store app, you must first uninstall it before installing the latest build of the sync app.

 

Step 2 – Start the setup

Start OneDrive Setup.

Method 1: If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive

Method 2: If you already have a personal account signed in to OneDrive

 

Method 1: If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive

If you're not signed in to OneDrive with any email account (neither personal nor university accounts), you need to start OneDrive to connect your university email account:

1.    Start OneDrive by pressing cmd+Space to launch a Spotlight query and type OneDrive. This starts OneDrive Setup.

2.    Enter your university email address and then select Sign in to set up your account

 

Method 2: If you already have a personal account signed in to OneDrive

If you already have a personal account signed in to OneDrive, you can add your university email account to OneDrive Preferences.

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in your Menu bar

2. Select the Help & Settings icon (a cog)

3. Select Preferences

4. Select the Account tab

5. Select the button Add an Account to start OneDrive Setup

6. Enter your university email account and click Sign in.

 

Step 3 - OneDrive folder location

When setting up your OneDrive, it already has a default location set.

You can change this during the setup by following the next steps:

1.    Select the link "Change location" from the screen called “Your OneDrive Folder”:

2.    Select a location where you would like to save your OneDrive files and click Choose this location

3.    When you see the This is your OneDrive folder screen, you will now see a path to the folder you selected

4.    Select Next to continue

5.    On the Sync Files from Your OneDrive screen, you can choose the folders you want to sync to your computer. Select Next

This conserves space on your computer and reduces the bandwidth needed for the sync processes.

6.    The setup is now finished. Select Open my OneDrive folder to see your files sync to your folder.

You can find OneDrive up in your Menu bar and in Finder:

• You’ll have a cloud icon for every account you’ve connected to OneDrive. You will have one cloud if you’re only syncing your university account, one cloud if you’re syncing only a personal account, or two clouds if you’re syncing both.
  
• You’ll also see a folder in Finder called OneDrive

 

Step 4 - Turn on Finder integration

Using Ventura or higher

If you’re using Ventura (or higher), you can get sync status directly from Finder by enabling Finder overlays in Settings. To do that:

1. Select the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Menu bar

2. Select System Settings

3. Go to the section Privacy & Security

4. Scroll down to Extensions (you can find it under the section called “Others” at the bottom of the screen)

5. Choose Finder Extensions

6. Check the box next to “OneDrive”

7. Select Done

 

Using Monterey

Monterey users can follow the path below:

1. Select the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Menu bar

2. Select System Preferences

3. Select the button Extensions in the top-level menu (shown in the 3rd row from the top)

4. Tick the box close to OneDrive to enable Finder overlays

5. Now you can open your OneDrive folder from Finder and see the overlays on your files and folders

---

Back to the top

 

Change the location of your OneDrive folder

You can change or move the location of your OneDrive folders on your computer whenever you want. To move them you will need to:

1. Unlink your OneDrive
2. Link your OneDrive again

Step 1 – Unlink your OneDrive

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in your Menu bar,
2. Select the Help & Settings option (it has a cog icon)
3. Select the option Preferences
4. Select the Account tab.
5. Select Unlink this Mac
6. When prompted, confirm your choice by selecting “Unlink Account”

 

Step 2 – Link your OneDrive again

1. From the top Menu Bar select the OneDrive cloud icon. If it has disappeared, please:
   1. Open your Applications folder
   2. Select the OneDrive icon
2. Sign in with your university email address
3. A screen called “Your OneDrive Folder” will appear. Select Change Location
4. Choose the new folder location, then select the button Choose this location
5. Select Next
6. You'll see a message letting you know that the OneDrive folder in the new location already has files in it. You will have to choose between 2 options:
   1. Select the button Use this folder if you are connecting the same account as before,
      or
   2. Select Choose new folder to avoid combining files from two different accounts
7. Finish setting up OneDrive.

---

Back to the top

 

Synchronize your SharePoint sites

You have two options when syncing files in SharePoint libraries and Teams. You can:

• Add shortcuts to libraries and folders to their OneDrive
  or
• Use the sync button on the library.

Both options allow essentially the same thing since you can access files on your local computer in Finder.

Please keep in mind that:

• Adding OneDrive shortcuts allows content to be accessed on all devices, whereas sync is related to a specific device.
• OneDrive shortcuts offer improved performance versus using the sync button.

To sync libraries and folders using the sync button

1. Log in to office.com

2. Select the Microsoft 365 app launcher  

3. Select the SharePoint icon

 

4. Select the site that you want to sync.

5. Select Documents or navigate to the subfolder that you want to sync.

6. Select the Sync button

If your browser requests permission to use "Microsoft OneDrive," confirm that this is okay.

7. Choose the folders that you want to sync

8. Select Start sync

9. SharePoint team sites sync under a folder with your tenant’s name. This folder is automatically added to the left navigation pane in Finder.

 

Manage your syncing sites  

You can manage your syncing sites in the sync app settings:

1. Select the OneDrive icon in the menu bar.

2. Select Preferences

3. Select the Account tab

 
Now you can:

• Change the folders that you're syncing, by selecting the link “Choose Folders” for that location and choose the folders that you want to sync.
• Stop syncing a site, by selecting the link Stop Sync” next to the site. Please note that copies of the files remain on your computer. You can delete them if you want.

---

Back to the top

 

Related content

Uploading files or folders from your local storage to OneDrive