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How to Fix Missing Always Keep on This Device in OneDrive for Mac
Question details
Users are unable to locate the option to permanently keep OneDrive files on their local drive when using macOS.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to download online-only folders or large projects (such as video and photography) for offline use before traveling.
- Observed behavior
- The "Always keep on this device" option is missing or displays differently in the Mac Finder context menu.
Ensure your Mac has an active internet connection and enough free local storage space to accommodate the large files you intend to download.
Enable Files On-Demand and Pin Files via Finder
Verify that Files On-Demand is activated and use the macOS Finder to mark the files for offline availability.
The "Always keep on this device" feature is directly tied to the Files On-Demand setting in the macOS OneDrive client. If this option is not visible in Finder, it may be disabled or the Finder extensions need to be refreshed.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Mac menu bar, open Settings (or Preferences), and confirm that the "Files On-Demand" feature is turned on.
Open a new Finder window and navigate to your synced OneDrive directory.
Right-click the specific file or folder you need and select "Always Keep on This Device" from the context menu.
Wait for the status icon to change, indicating the download has finished, before disconnecting your Mac from the network.
A Lightweight Office Suite for Your Offline Mac Files
While resolving OneDrive syncing issues on your Mac, consider WPS Office as a robust productivity suite. It handles heavy documents with ease and allows you to seamlessly work on your downloaded files offline.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free macOS version.
- 2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files Offline: Launch WPS Office and directly edit your synced OneDrive documents without requiring an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the OneDrive context menu missing entirely in Mac Finder?
This usually happens if the Finder extensions for OneDrive are disabled by macOS. To resolve this, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Extensions, click on Added extensions, and ensure the box next to OneDrive is checked.
How can I tell if a file is stored locally on my Mac or in the cloud?
Check the status icon next to the file name in Finder. A cloud icon means the file is online-only. A hollow circle with a checkmark means it's temporarily downloaded, and a solid circle with a checkmark means it's set to always keep on this device.
Can I easily free up Mac storage space after I return from traveling?
Yes. Right-click the previously downloaded files or folders in Finder and select "Free Up Space". This will remove the local copies from your Mac to save storage, while keeping the files safely stored in your OneDrive cloud.
