OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Camera Upload Not Working on Android

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to get the OneDrive camera upload feature to automatically sync photos on their Android device, specifically after migrating to a new smartphone.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Attempting to automatically back up photos to OneDrive using the Camera Upload feature after upgrading to a new phone (e.g., migrating from OnePlus 9 Pro to 10 Pro).
Observed behavior: The automatic camera upload fails to sync photos in the background despite having a stable internet connection and reinstalling the app.

Before you start

Ensure your Android device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and that you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy before modifying app data or deleting cache files.

Solution 1Recommended

Recreate the Camera Roll Folder in OneDrive

A corrupted Camera Roll folder can block new uploads. Relocating your existing photos and creating a fresh folder usually resolves the syncing issue.

Often, during device migration, folder permissions or metadata in the cloud can become corrupted. Deleting and recreating the target folder forces OneDrive to establish a fresh sync path.

Move existing photos

Open the OneDrive app, navigate to the Pictures directory, and move all existing photos from the 'Camera Roll' folder to a temporary backup folder within your OneDrive.

Delete the old folder

Select the now-empty 'Camera Roll' folder in the OneDrive interface and delete it permanently from your account.

Create a new folder

Tap the '+' icon to create a new folder in the Pictures directory and name it exactly 'Camera Roll'.

Restart camera upload

Go to the OneDrive app settings, toggle the Camera Upload feature off, and then turn it back on to force a resync with the newly created folder.

Data Safety: Moving the photos to a temporary folder before deleting the Camera Roll ensures no media is lost during this process.

Solution 2

Clear App Data and Adjust Background Permissions

Android systems (like OxygenOS) may aggressively restrict background processes, or the app may be holding corrupted cache data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive camera upload stop working on a new Android phone?

Moving to a new phone often transfers corrupted app cache or encounters strict OS-level background battery restrictions (such as on OxygenOS) that prevent OneDrive from running and syncing in the background.

How do I force OneDrive to sync my camera roll?

You can force a sync by opening the OneDrive app, navigating to the Settings tab, toggling the Camera Upload option off and then back on, and ensuring the app remains open on the screen for a few minutes.

Will clearing OneDrive app data delete my photos?

No, clearing the OneDrive app data only removes local cache and configuration settings on your phone. Your photos that are already uploaded to the cloud or saved locally in your gallery remain safe.

What should I do if recreating the Camera Roll folder doesn't work?

If recreating the folder fails, ensure that your device has unrestricted background data usage enabled for OneDrive, temporarily disable battery optimization, and check if any third-party battery saver apps are terminating the upload process.

Document & File Issues