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How to Fix OneDrive APFS Drive Synchronization Error on Mac
Question details
The user is encountering a persistent on-demand files upgrade error in OneDrive after reformatting an external RAID drive to APFS.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Synchronizing OneDrive cloud data with an external RAID drive that has been reformatted to APFS.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive continuously reports an on-demand files upgrade error, failing to recognize the drive's format correctly, despite Disk Utility showing it as APFS.
Verify that your external RAID enclosure's firmware officially supports the APFS file system, as older hardware designed for HFS+ can misreport drive formats to macOS.
Verify Connection and Check Drive Format in Disk Utility
Ensure the drive is properly recognized by macOS as an APFS volume and rule out basic hardware connection issues.
Disconnect the external RAID drive from your Mac and reconnect it using a different USB or Thunderbolt port to rule out a faulty connection.
Navigate to Applications > Utilities on your Mac and launch Disk Utility.
Select your external RAID drive in the left sidebar of Disk Utility. Check the volume details under the drive name to confirm it explicitly states 'APFS Volume'.
Check RAID Enclosure Compatibility
Determine if the physical RAID enclosure firmware is causing a miscommunication with macOS regarding the drive format.
Contact OneDrive Support
Escalate the synchronization issue to Microsoft if your hardware is fully compatible but the error persists.
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While troubleshooting complex OneDrive and macOS sync errors, consider using WPS Office as a lightweight, dependable alternative for your document needs. It offers seamless cloud integration without the heavy system requirements of Microsoft Office.
- 1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office application for Mac from the official website and install it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive require an APFS drive on Mac?
OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature utilizes Apple's native File Provider platform, which strictly requires the APFS file system to function. Older formats like Mac OS Extended (HFS+) cannot support these modern on-demand sync features.
Can I use any external drive for my OneDrive sync folder on macOS?
You can use an external drive, but it must be formatted as APFS and it must be a non-ejectable (permanently attached) volume. Removable drives such as standard USB flash drives often experience sync failures with OneDrive.
How do I correctly format an external drive to APFS?
Open Disk Utility, select the external drive, and click 'Erase'. Choose 'APFS' from the format dropdown menu and click 'Erase' again. Note that this process will permanently delete all existing data on the drive.
