OneDrive File Issues

Do You Need Both OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Apps on iPad?

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is necessary to keep both the OneDrive and Microsoft 365 apps on an iPad and whether uninstalling one will delete cloud files or prevent access.

Do You Need Both OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Apps on an iPad?

Product: Microsoft 365 and OneDrive
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Managing iPad storage space and determining the necessity of having multiple Microsoft applications installed simultaneously.
Observed behavior: Users are unsure of the relationship between the two apps and fear that uninstalling one might permanently delete their cloud documents.

Before you start

Before removing any applications from your iPad, open the apps while connected to Wi-Fi to ensure all your recent offline edits have successfully synced to the cloud.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall the OneDrive App While Keeping Microsoft 365

You can safely delete the OneDrive app to free up space; your files will remain secure in the cloud.

Deleting the OneDrive app from your iPad does not delete your files stored in the cloud. The app merely provides a gateway to view and manage your storage.

You can continue to edit your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files using the Microsoft 365 app, or access your OneDrive files via a web browser or from a computer.

Verify Sync Status

Open the OneDrive app and check that all your files have a cloud icon, indicating they are fully synced to the server.

Delete the App

Press and hold the OneDrive app icon on your iPad home screen, tap 'Remove App', and then select 'Delete App' to uninstall it.

Access via Web Browser

Open Safari, navigate to the OneDrive website, and log in with your Microsoft account to view or manage your files without the app.

Uninstall the OneDrive App While Keeping Microsoft 365

Reinstallation: You can always reinstall the OneDrive app from the Apple App Store later without losing any data.

Solution 2

Keep OneDrive and Remove Microsoft 365 Apps

If you only need to view files and not edit them, you can safely remove the Microsoft 365 app.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Lightweight iPad Experience

Instead of juggling multiple heavy apps for cloud storage and document editing on your iPad, WPS Office offers an all-in-one suite. It integrates easily with your cloud drives and provides powerful editing capabilities completely free.

1. Download the App: Search for WPS Office in the Apple App Store and install it on your iPad.
2. Connect Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office, navigate to the 'Open' tab, and add your OneDrive account to access your cloud files.
3. Edit Seamlessly: Tap any compatible document from your connected drive to open and edit it directly within WPS Office.

Combines Word, Excel, PDF, and Presentation tools in one lightweight iPad applicationHighly compatible with all Microsoft Office file formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTXLinks directly to cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox for seamless accessSaves valuable iPad storage space by replacing multiple standalone applications

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete a file inside the OneDrive app, is it deleted everywhere?

Yes. Unlike deleting the app itself, deleting a specific file or folder from within the OneDrive app will remove it from your cloud storage and all connected devices.

Can I edit Word documents on my iPad using only the OneDrive app?

No, the OneDrive app only allows you to preview files. To make edits, you need to install the Microsoft 365 app or a compatible alternative like WPS Office.

Will I lose access to my laptop's OneDrive files if I delete the iPad app?

No, deleting the OneDrive app on your iPad has no effect on your laptop or web access. Your cloud files remain completely intact and accessible from any other device.

Document & File Issues