OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Uploads Stuck on Preparing in Android

Steve K Oct 7, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to directly upload files to OneDrive from Android apps because the upload process gets permanently stuck on the 'Preparing' stage.

How to Fix OneDrive Uploads Stuck on Preparing in Android

Product: Microsoft OneDrive for Android
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Attempting to upload or share files directly to the OneDrive app using Android's native share menu or the OneDrive file picker.
Observed behavior: The upload status remains stuck on 'Preparing'. Standard troubleshooting steps such as clearing the app cache, reinstalling, updating Android, and checking network connections do not resolve the problem.

Before you start

Verify that your Android device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and check your Microsoft account to ensure you have adequate OneDrive storage available.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Local File Manager to Upload

Since the issue often lies with Android's sharing integration or the OneDrive file picker, manually uploading through a local file manager bypasses the problem.

This is the most reliable workaround when standard troubleshooting fails. By saving your file locally first and initiating the upload from a file manager rather than the originating app, the OneDrive sync engine can correctly process the file.

Save the file locally

Instead of sharing directly to OneDrive from your current app, select 'Save to device' or 'Download' to store the file in your Android device's local storage (e.g., the Downloads folder).

Open your File Manager

Launch the default 'Files', 'My Files', or any third-party file manager app on your Android device.

Locate and share the file

Navigate to the folder where you saved the file, long-press the file to select it, tap the 'Share' icon, and choose 'OneDrive' from the list of applications to complete the upload.

Effective Workaround: This method has been confirmed to successfully upload files even when direct-app sharing remains permanently stuck on the Preparing screen.

Solution 2

Verify OneDrive Storage Permissions

Ensure the OneDrive app has unrestricted access to your device's storage and media files to prevent permission-related upload blocks.

Solution 3

Report the Issue to Microsoft Support

If the workaround is inconvenient, report your specific device model and OS version so Microsoft can patch the file picker integration bug.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does clearing the OneDrive app cache not fix the 'Preparing' issue?

This specific issue is typically caused by a bug in how Android's native sharing menu or the OneDrive file picker communicates with the app, rather than corrupted cache data. Therefore, local storage workarounds are required until an app update is released.

Can file size or network connection cause Android OneDrive uploads to get stuck?

While poor internet or extremely large files can slow down uploads, this specific 'Preparing' bug affects files of all sizes and types, even on strong Wi-Fi networks where background processes are fully unrestricted.

Will reinstalling the Android operating system permanently fix this OneDrive error?

No. Users have reported that even after upgrading or updating Android, the upload problem remains. The most effective method is to use a local file manager to manually select and upload the files to OneDrive.

Document & File Issues