OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Sync Problems Between iPhone and Windows PC

Camila Milosovich Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where files and photos do not synchronize properly between an iPhone and a Windows PC using Microsoft OneDrive.

How to Fix OneDrive Sync Problems Between iPhone and Windows PC

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: iOS and Windows
Scenario: Syncing files and backing up mobile photos across a Windows PC and an iPhone via OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Photos uploaded from the PC appear on the iPhone, but files and photos uploaded from the iPhone fail to appear on the computer, indicating a one-way synchronization failure. Background photo uploads also fail despite settings being enabled.

Before you start

Ensure both your iPhone and Windows PC are connected to a stable internet connection and that you know the exact Microsoft account credentials used on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account Details and iPhone Sync Settings

Confirm that both devices are logged into the exact same Microsoft account and that the iOS app has the necessary system permissions to sync in the background.

One-way synchronization often occurs when the mobile app is restricted from using data in the background or is accidentally logged into a secondary account.

Check Microsoft Account

Open the OneDrive app on your iPhone, tap your profile picture at the top left, and verify the email address matches the one used in the OneDrive desktop client on your Windows PC.

Enable Background App Refresh

On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Scroll down to find OneDrive and ensure the toggle switch is turned on.

Check Mobile Data Permissions

Go to Settings > Cellular on your iPhone and ensure the switch next to OneDrive is enabled so the app can sync when disconnected from Wi-Fi.

Verify Account Details and iPhone Sync Settings

Power Saving Mode: Low Power Mode on iOS will temporarily disable Background App Refresh. Ensure Low Power Mode is turned off if you are trying to sync large photo libraries.

Solution 2

Update or Reinstall the OneDrive iOS App

A clean installation can resolve persistent cache issues or corrupted app files causing one-way synchronization.

Solution 3

Seek Advanced Microsoft Support

If one-way sync persists after resetting settings and reinstalling, the issue may require Microsoft account-level support.

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1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for your Windows PC from the official website and download the mobile app from the iOS App Store.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive only sync from my PC to my iPhone but not the other way?

This one-way sync issue is typically caused by restricted iOS background permissions, iOS Low Power Mode interfering with background tasks, or a corrupted application cache on your mobile device.

How do I force OneDrive to sync on my iPhone?

Open the OneDrive mobile app, navigate to the Files tab, and swipe down from the top of the screen until you see a spinning loading icon. This forces the app to manually refresh and check for new files.

Does Background App Refresh need to be enabled for OneDrive camera upload?

Yes, Background App Refresh must be enabled in your iOS settings for OneDrive to successfully upload photos in the background when the app is not actively open on your screen.

What should I do if my background photo uploads still fail despite having the correct settings?

Try signing out of your account within the app and reinstalling OneDrive from the App Store. If the problem persists, post your specific device, OS versions, and account details to the Microsoft Community forums for further investigation.

Document & File Issues