OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Files Not Synchronizing Between Two Macs

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to access synchronized OneDrive files consistently across two different Mac computers.

How to Fix OneDrive Files Not Synchronizing Between Two Macs

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Accessing, editing, or viewing cloud-stored files across multiple Mac devices using the same Microsoft account.
Observed behavior: Files stored in the OneDrive folder on one Mac fail to upload or download on the second Mac, resulting in mismatched or missing data.

Before you start

Verify that both Mac computers are connected to a stable internet network and confirm you are signed into the exact same Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 family profile on both devices.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Synchronization via OneDrive Web and Verify Account

This isolates the problem by checking if files are successfully reaching the cloud servers from the first Mac.

If files are not showing up on your second Mac, the issue could be with the upload process on the first Mac or the download process on the second. Testing with the web interface helps identify which Mac is failing to synchronize.

Access OneDrive Web

Open a web browser, navigate to OneDrive.com, and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Verify existing files

Look through your online directories to see if the files from your first Mac are visible online. If they are missing here, the first Mac is not uploading properly.

Upload a test file

Click the 'Upload' button on the web interface and select a test document. Once uploaded, check both Mac computers to see if the new file downloads to their local OneDrive folders.

Check account details

Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the OneDrive app on both Macs to ensure the email addresses match exactly.

Test Synchronization via OneDrive Web and Verify Account

Microsoft 365 Family Note: If you are using a Microsoft 365 Family plan, ensure both Macs are logged into the same specific user profile, as family members have separate, private storage spaces.

Solution 2

Pause and Resume OneDrive Syncing

Quickly refresh the connection between your Mac and the Microsoft servers to kickstart a stalled sync process.

Solution 3

Reset the OneDrive Mac Application

Clear corrupted application caches by running a built-in reset script that resets OneDrive to its default state without deleting your files.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say it's 'Up to date' but my files are still missing on my second Mac?

This usually means the second Mac is looking at a different directory or is signed into a different Microsoft account. Check your account profile and verify that you are looking inside the correct synchronized 'OneDrive' folder in Finder, rather than a local desktop folder.

Will updating my macOS version fix OneDrive sync problems?

Yes. Microsoft continuously updates the OneDrive client to support new macOS features. If you are running an outdated version of macOS, the OneDrive client may stop functioning correctly, preventing your Macs from synchronizing.

Are there specific file types or sizes that cause OneDrive to stop syncing between Macs?

Yes. Files larger than your available storage quota, files with invalid characters in their names (such as <, >, :, ", |, ?, *, /, \), or temporary system files can cause the synchronization queue to stall. Checking OneDrive.com for error messages can help identify the problematic file.

Document & File Issues