File Sharing Problems

Fix OneDrive Anonymous File Sharing Share ID Failure via REST API

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

A developer needs to resolve an issue where anonymous file-sharing links generated via the OneDrive REST API return a share ID that only works for the originating account.

Product: OneDrive REST API / Microsoft Graph
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating anonymous file-sharing links dynamically within a .NET MAUI application.
Observed behavior: The returned share ID fails to grant access to anonymous users and only functions for the specific account that created the share link.

Before you start

Verify that your Microsoft 365 tenant settings explicitly allow anonymous file sharing and that your Azure AD application is granted the correct Microsoft Graph API permissions (such as Files.ReadWrite.All).

Solution 1Recommended

Seek Specialized Microsoft Graph Support on Microsoft Q&A

Since the API behavior has changed unexpectedly on Microsoft's end, consulting Microsoft Graph specialists is the most direct path to resolving core share ID permission errors.

This issue is often tied to backend changes or token validation problems within the Microsoft Graph API ecosystem, which require specialized investigation by Microsoft.

Navigate to Microsoft Q&A

Go to the official Microsoft Q&A platform (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/) to seek developer support.

Select the Microsoft Graph Section

When creating your post, tag the question heavily with 'Microsoft Graph' and 'OneDrive API' to ensure it routes to the correct Microsoft engineering specialists.

Provide API and Application Details

Include your .NET MAUI environment details, the specific createLink endpoint you are calling, and the exact JSON payload used to generate the anonymous link.

Track Existing Threads: You can follow existing developer threads regarding this issue, such as 'The shareId obtained from createLink can no longer be used by anonymous users' directly on Microsoft Learn.

Solution 2

Check Microsoft 365 Tenant Sharing Policies

Ensure that your organization's sharing policies haven't been globally restricted, which would automatically override any API requests for anonymous links.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my OneDrive API createLink return a share ID that only I can use?

This usually occurs when the Microsoft 365 tenant's external sharing policy is restricted, or when there is an ongoing anomaly with the Microsoft Graph API preventing the anonymous permission token from correctly propagating to the file.

How do I correctly request an anonymous sharing link via the OneDrive REST API?

You must call the createLink endpoint on the DriveItem and pass a JSON body specifying the type as 'view' or 'edit' and the scope as 'anonymous'. Additionally, your Azure app must be granted the Files.ReadWrite.All permission.

Can I use WPS Office to share files without writing API code?

Yes. WPS Office integrates seamlessly with WPS Cloud, allowing you to create, manage, and share documents via simple URLs directly from the desktop or mobile application interface without needing to configure complex APIs.

Document & File Issues