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Fix OneDrive Not Syncing on Mac and Free Up Local Storage
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where OneDrive appears out of sync and frees up local Mac hard drive space consumed by cached cloud files.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Files and photos successfully uploaded to OneDrive are still retained locally as cached content, taking up significant hard drive space on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The local OneDrive folder retains cached copies of cloud content by default, causing local storage shortages and making the application appear out of sync.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable network and confirm that your files have completely synced to the cloud before attempting to remove local copies.
Use OneDrive Files On-Demand to Free Up Space
Enable Files On-Demand and manually set your folders to online-only mode via Mac Finder to clear the local cache and regain storage space.
By default, many Microsoft 365 installations download a cached copy of your files to your device. Changing these files to online-only will immediately remove the local data while keeping your files safely in the cloud.
Launch Finder on your Mac and navigate to your OneDrive folder in the sidebar.
Locate and highlight the specific files or folders that are taking up unnecessary local storage space.
Right-click (or Control-click) the selected items, and click 'Free Up Space' from the context menu to remove the local cache.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Management on Mac
If you are tired of dealing with bulky Microsoft 365 installations and complex sync issues, WPS Office is a perfect alternative. It is highly lightweight, fully compatible with Microsoft formats, and integrates beautifully with built-in cloud services to help keep your Mac's storage free.
- 1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free macOS version.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompt and launch WPS Office on your Mac.
- 3. Open and Sync Files: Sign in to easily access your cloud files or open existing Microsoft Office documents without taking up excessive local storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive consume local space on my Mac after uploading?
By default, Microsoft 365 installations keep a cached local copy of your cloud content for offline access. These cached files take up hard drive space until you manually switch them to online-only mode.
How do I know if my OneDrive files are taking up local space?
Check the file status icons in Mac Finder. A solid green checkmark indicates the file is downloaded and taking up local space, whereas a cloud icon means the file is online-only.
Will using 'Free Up Space' delete my files from the OneDrive cloud?
No, the 'Free Up Space' option only removes the local downloaded copy from your Mac's hard drive. Your original files remain safely stored and accessible in your online OneDrive account.
