How to Find a Missing OneDrive Sync Folder on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to locate their OneDrive synchronization folder on an iMac running macOS Monterey or later, despite the application reporting that file synchronization is completely up to date.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey (12.1) and later
- Scenario
- Accessing locally synchronized cloud files on a Mac after an OS or application update.
- Observed behavior
- The traditional OneDrive sync folder appears missing or completely empty. Additionally, clicking 'Open Folder' from the OneDrive menu bar icon produces no response, and reinstalling prompts an 'Account Already Connected' error.
Ensure your Mac is updated to macOS 12.1 or later and that the OneDrive application is currently running and logged into your Microsoft account.
Locate the OneDrive Folder in CloudStorage
Starting with macOS 12.1 Monterey, Apple introduced a new File Provider framework, which forced the default location of the OneDrive sync folder to move to a new CloudStorage directory.
Because of the updated Files On-Demand experience on macOS, OneDrive no longer stores synced files in the traditional home directory location by default. Instead, it utilizes Apple's native CloudStorage path.
Click on the Finder icon located in your Mac's dock to open a new file browser window.
In the top Apple menu bar, click on 'Go', then select 'Go to Folder...' from the dropdown menu (or press Shift + Command + G).
Type '~/Library/CloudStorage' into the search bar and press Enter to jump to the native cloud integration folder.
Look for the folder named 'OneDrive-Personal' or 'OneDrive-Company'. Double-click it to view and manage all of your securely synchronized files.
Resolve the 'Account Already Connected' Error
If you recently reinstalled Microsoft 365 or OneDrive and the folder remains empty, clearing app conflicts and reconnecting your account can restore functionality.
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If you are tired of dealing with confusing sync folder changes and account connection errors on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with its own built-in and reliable WPS Cloud storage.
- 1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the dedicated macOS installation package.
- 2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded DMG file, drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder, and launch the program.
- 3. Sync with WPS Cloud: Sign in with a free WPS account to instantly enable 1GB of built-in cloud storage for seamless document syncing across all your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my OneDrive folder change location on my Mac?
Starting in macOS 12.1 Monterey, Apple introduced a new File Provider framework for cloud services. Microsoft updated OneDrive's Files On-Demand experience to comply with these system-level changes, which automatically shifted the default synchronization directory from your user folder to the native ~/Library/CloudStorage path.
How do I keep my Mac OneDrive files available offline?
Navigate to the new ~/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive folder, right-click (or Control-click) any file or folder you want to keep offline, and select 'Always Keep on This Device'. A checkmark icon will appear next to the file to indicate that it has been downloaded locally and is available without an internet connection.
What should I do if the Open Folder button in the OneDrive app does nothing?
This usually happens when the OneDrive application loses the directory path to the new CloudStorage location. You can bypass this by manually navigating to ~/Library/CloudStorage in Finder. If the issue persists, go to the OneDrive app preferences, unlink your Microsoft account, and sign back in to reset the folder pathways.
