Fix OneDrive Offline Files Disappearing on macOS Monterey
Question details
Files marked to be kept offline in OneDrive are losing their offline status or appearing to download again.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Using the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature after a fresh installation or system upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Files previously selected with 'Keep this file offline' appear to be missing from local storage, lose their offline status indicators, or seem to trigger a massive re-download.
Ensure your Mac is running macOS 10.14 or later and that your storage drive is formatted as an APFS volume, as these are strict requirements for OneDrive Files On-Demand.
Allow macOS to Complete the OneDrive Folder Migration
Understand the background migration process and allow OneDrive to finish indexing the new cache folder.
During a new installation or update on macOS Monterey, the system transitions to a deeper integration for Files On-Demand. To preserve your offline-availability settings without reindexing all content, macOS creates a new OneDrive folder.
The previous OneDrive folder is moved to a hidden cache location. Because of this architectural change, files previously marked as 'Keep this file offline' might temporarily show sync icons and appear to be downloading again. This is normal behavior; OneDrive is simply migrating the files locally rather than using your internet bandwidth.
Ensure the OneDrive client remains open and active in your Mac's top menu bar so it can process the folder migration.
Do not interrupt the process. Allow the sync client to verify the cached files against the cloud directory.
Once the indexing is complete, open Finder and navigate to your OneDrive folder. The solid checkmark icons should return, confirming your files are offline.
Enable Files On-Demand Settings Manually
Verify and activate the Files On-Demand feature, as these settings do not automatically sync from other devices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my 'always keep on this device' files suddenly have a cloud icon?
During a OneDrive update on macOS Monterey, the system moves your files to a cache folder. Until the local indexing completes, Finder may temporarily display cloud icons instead of the solid green checkmarks.
What file system is required for OneDrive Files On-Demand on Mac?
Your Mac must use the APFS (Apple File System) volume format. Older formats like Mac OS Extended (HFS+) do not support the modern Files On-Demand architecture.
Do I need to redownload all my offline files after updating macOS?
No. Even though it might look like OneDrive is downloading files again, it is actually just migrating your existing downloaded files from the old folder location to the new cache path behind the scenes.
Will my Files On-Demand settings automatically sync to my new Mac?
No. Files On-Demand preferences are specific to each individual device. You must manually enable the feature and mark desired folders as 'Keep this file offline' on every Mac you use.
