Fix SharePoint Downloading Empty Token Files in Safari
Question details
Read-only users experience automatic downloads of empty files with random strings when accessing shared SharePoint folders via the Safari browser.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- macOS and iOS
- Scenario
- A user with read-only permissions attempts to open and browse a shared SharePoint folder using the Safari web browser.
- Observed behavior
- Safari automatically downloads a small, empty text file with a UUID-like filename (e.g., 39dbef4f-09f5-...) every time a folder is opened.
Ensure you have your Microsoft 365 credentials ready, as you may need to sign back in after clearing browser data or testing with an alternative web browser.
Clear Safari Site Data and Adjust Privacy Settings
Clearing cookies and adjusting cross-site tracking protections can resolve token authentication conflicts between SharePoint and Safari.
Safari's strict privacy controls sometimes block background authentication tokens required by SharePoint, causing the browser to download the token as a physical file instead of processing it.
Open Safari on your Mac, click 'Safari' in the top menu bar, and select 'Settings' (or 'Preferences').
Navigate to the 'Privacy' tab and temporarily uncheck 'Prevent cross-site tracking' to see if this is blocking SharePoint's authentication tokens.
Click 'Manage Website Data', search for 'SharePoint' and 'Microsoft', select the related entries, and click 'Remove'.
Restart Safari and access the shared SharePoint folder again to verify if the empty file downloads have stopped.
Use an Alternative Browser as a Workaround
Since the issue is highly specific to how Safari handles read-only SharePoint tokens, switching to a different browser is a reliable, immediate workaround.
Update System Software and Report to Microsoft
Keeping macOS and Safari fully updated ensures any recent browser bug fixes are applied. Reporting ongoing issues aids Microsoft in releasing a permanent patch.
Experience Seamless Document Collaboration with WPS Office
If browser-based document management tools are causing workflow interruptions, consider using WPS Office. It provides a robust, lightweight, and highly compatible desktop alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to manage, edit, and share files without browser-specific glitches.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint download these empty files in Safari?
Safari's strict privacy and tracking prevention features sometimes interfere with how SharePoint handles authentication tokens for read-only users. Instead of processing the token silently in the background, Safari mistakenly triggers a file download containing the token string.
Is the downloaded token file a virus or malware?
No, these small files are typically benign authentication tokens (often named with a string of letters and numbers like a UUID). They contain no actual content or executable code, but you should still delete them to keep your downloads folder clean.
Will changing my user permissions stop the empty file downloads?
Yes, this specific glitch usually affects users configured with strict 'read-only' permissions. Upgrading the user's permission level to 'Edit' or higher typically stops the token files from downloading, though you must ensure this aligns with your organization's security policies.
