OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Sync Issues on macOS Mojave (2017 Mac)

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing OneDrive synchronization problems where files added from a newer Mac do not appear online or in the local folder of an older 2017 Mac running macOS Mojave.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS Mojave (2017 Mac)
Scenario: Attempting to sync files across multiple Mac computers using OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Files upload successfully from the older Mac, and the newer Mac reports that everything is synced. However, files added to the new Mac do not appear online or download to the older Mac.

Before you start

Ensure both Macs have a stable internet connection and verify that you have the login credentials for your primary Microsoft account ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Match Microsoft Accounts Across Devices

Use this solution to ensure both Macs are logged into the exact same Microsoft account, which is the most common cause of files not appearing across devices.

When managing files across multiple devices, signing into a different Microsoft account during installation on one of the machines will result in completely separate cloud storage environments. Even if both apps report successful syncs, the files will never cross over.

Open OneDrive preferences

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Mac's top menu bar, click on the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Preferences'.

Check the signed-in account

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the Preferences window. Note the exact email address displayed.

Compare and correct

Repeat this process on your other Mac. If the email addresses do not match, click 'Unlink this Mac' on the device with the incorrect account, then sign back in using the correct Microsoft account.

Account Matched: Once both devices are signed into the same account, your files should begin syncing immediately.

Solution 2

Verify the Local OneDrive Folder Path

Check this if your accounts match but files are still saving to a local directory instead of the active cloud folder.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless File Management

If you frequently encounter sync issues with Microsoft OneDrive across older macOS versions, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that easily integrates with various cloud services without complex account configurations.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Sign in and sync: Launch WPS Office, sign in to activate WPS Cloud, and easily sync your documents across your older and newer Macs.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly even on older operating systems like macOS MojaveBuilt-in WPS Cloud for reliable file syncing across all your devicesFree to download and use with a highly familiar, tabbed user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say it is synced, but files are missing on my other Mac?

This usually happens when the two Macs are logged into different Microsoft accounts, or if files on one Mac are being saved to a local folder rather than the designated active OneDrive sync folder.

Does Microsoft still support OneDrive on macOS Mojave?

Microsoft periodically updates system requirements for OneDrive. The latest versions of OneDrive generally require one of the three most recent macOS versions. For macOS Mojave (10.14), you may need to rely on an older, compatible version of the OneDrive client, which can sometimes lead to sync limitations.

How can I force OneDrive to sync on a Mac?

You can force a sync by clicking the OneDrive icon in the menu bar, selecting 'Help & Settings', and clicking 'Close OneDrive'. Then, reopen OneDrive from your Applications folder to restart the syncing engine.

Document & File Issues