OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive for Mac Showing Folders but Not Files in Finder

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where OneDrive displays its folder structure in Mac's Finder, but the actual files inside are invisible or missing.

How to Fix OneDrive for Mac Showing Folders but Not Files in Finder

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Syncing cloud files to a local Mac environment, specifically when attempting to store the OneDrive sync folder on an external APFS-formatted drive to save internal space.
Observed behavior: Finder displays empty folders without the corresponding files. The missing files are fully visible and accessible when checking OneDrive Online or opening them directly through Microsoft Office applications.

Before you start

Log in to OneDrive Online via your web browser to confirm your files are safely backed up in the cloud before making any local configuration changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Move the OneDrive Sync Folder to Your Internal Mac Boot Drive

OneDrive for Mac has known compatibility limitations with external or removable drives. Relocating your OneDrive folder to the internal boot drive is the most effective way to restore file visibility.

While macOS may allow you to set up OneDrive on an external drive formatted as APFS, OneDrive does not reliably support operating from removable media. This often results in partial syncs where only the directory structure appears.

Unlink your Mac from OneDrive

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar, navigate to Help & Settings > Preferences > Account, and click 'Unlink this Mac'.

Clear the external drive folder

Locate your current OneDrive folder on the external drive and move it to the Trash to avoid duplicate conflicts during the new setup.

Set up OneDrive on the internal drive

Open the OneDrive app, sign in with your Microsoft credentials, and when prompted to choose a folder location, select a directory located on your Mac's internal boot drive.

Move the OneDrive Sync Folder to Your Internal Mac Boot Drive

Space Management Tip: If you are low on internal storage, use OneDrive's 'Files On-Demand' feature to keep files online-only until you need to open them.

Solution 2

Test Syncing on a New macOS User Profile

If you are still experiencing missing files on the internal drive, creating a new macOS user profile can help determine if the issue is tied to corrupted settings in your current profile.

Solution 3

Escalate to Your Organization's Administrator

When basic troubleshooting fails and you are using a work or school account, your organization's IT administrator may need to open a support ticket to collect diagnostic logs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use OneDrive on an external APFS drive on Mac?

While macOS allows you to select an APFS external drive during setup, OneDrive does not officially or reliably support syncing to external or removable drives. Doing so frequently leads to sync errors, such as displaying empty folders without the actual files.

Why are my OneDrive files visible online but missing in Mac Finder?

This discrepancy typically occurs when the local OneDrive client fails to complete a sync operation due to directory location issues (like using an external drive) or caching conflicts within macOS Finder.

Will reinstalling the OneDrive app fix the missing files issue?

Reinstalling the OneDrive application generally does not resolve this issue if the root cause remains unchanged, such as keeping the sync folder on an unsupported external drive or having corrupted user profile settings.

Document & File Issues