Fix OneDrive for Mac Issues After macOS Monterey Upgrade
Question details
Users experience connection, account login, folder-location, and Files On-Demand permission errors with OneDrive after upgrading their Mac to macOS Monterey.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Syncing and accessing cloud files via OneDrive after an OS upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive fails to connect, sync, or recognize the designated folder location, especially when stored on external drives.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready and verify that any unsynced local files are safely backed up to an alternative location before modifying your OneDrive installation.
Perform a Clean Installation in the Standard User Folder
Remove leftover files from previous installations and install the standalone version of OneDrive directly to the default internal Mac user folder.
Upgrading to macOS Monterey changes how cloud storage providers interact with the file system. Storing your OneDrive sync folder on an external drive may no longer be supported due to Apple's new File Provider API.
A clean installation ensuring the folder is on the internal drive usually resolves these permissions and connection issues.
Quit OneDrive from the menu bar, then open your Applications folder and drag the OneDrive app to the Trash.
Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and enter ~/Library/. Look through the Application Support, Caches, and Preferences folders to delete any remaining files or folders named 'OneDrive'.
Visit the official Microsoft website and download the latest standalone Intel version of OneDrive for Mac, avoiding the Mac App Store version for better manual control.
Run the installer. During the setup process, when prompted to choose a location for your OneDrive folder, select your standard internal user folder (e.g., Macintosh HD/Users/[YourName]) and do not choose an external drive.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management on Mac
If you are tired of sync issues and complex cloud configurations, consider switching to WPS Office. It's a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative to Microsoft Office that offers native macOS support and hassle-free cloud integration.
- 1. Download the Mac version: Visit the WPS Office website and download the dedicated installation package for macOS.
- 2. Install and launch: Open the downloaded file and drag WPS Office to your Applications folder, then launch the app.
- 3. Open and edit files seamlessly: Log in to activate WPS Cloud, and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without worrying about format conversion or local sync folder errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive say my external drive is unsupported on macOS Monterey?
With the introduction of macOS Monterey, Apple implemented the new File Provider API. Cloud storage services like OneDrive are now strictly integrated into the system's CloudStorage folder located on the internal drive, making external drive configurations unsupported.
How do I fix Files On-Demand permission errors on my Mac?
Ensure OneDrive has Full Disk Access. Open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, select the Privacy tab, click on Full Disk Access, and check the box next to OneDrive. You may need to click the padlock icon to make changes.
Will I lose my files if I uninstall and reinstall OneDrive?
No, files that have already been successfully synced to the cloud are safe. However, any local files that were pending sync or failing to upload should be manually copied to another folder on your Mac before you uninstall the application.
