OneDrive File Issues

How to Keep OneDrive Files Stored Locally on Mac

Phi Hung Vo Oct 13, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to keep OneDrive files permanently saved on their Mac's local drive rather than having them automatically converted to online-only files.

How to Keep OneDrive Files Stored Locally on a Mac

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Accessing and editing files offline or while using a limited internet connection.
Observed behavior: OneDrive automatically converts inactive files to online-only storage to save disk space, rendering them inaccessible without an active internet connection.

Before you start

Ensure you have sufficient local disk space on your Mac to store all your downloaded OneDrive files before making them permanently available offline.

Solution 1Recommended

Mark Files or Folders as Always Keep on This Device

This is the most effective way to ensure specific folders or all files are permanently downloaded and kept on your Mac.

By utilizing the macOS Finder context menu, you can force OneDrive to pin specific files or entire folders to your local disk, preventing them from being offloaded to the cloud.

Open the OneDrive Folder

Launch Finder on your Mac and navigate to your OneDrive folder from the sidebar.

Select Files or Folders

Highlight the specific files or folders you want to keep offline. To select everything, you can highlight all contents within the OneDrive folder.

Enable Local Storage

Right-click (or Control-click) the selected items and choose "Always keep on this device" from the context menu. A green circle with a checkmark will appear next to the files once they are fully downloaded.

Mark Files or Folders as Always Keep on This Device

Folder Inheritance: Any new files subsequently added to a folder marked with this setting will automatically be downloaded and kept locally on your Mac.

Solution 2

Download All Files via OneDrive Preferences

You can instruct the OneDrive app to download all files to your Mac at once, effectively disabling the online-only space-saving feature.

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Edit Local Files Offline Seamlessly with WPS Office

If you prefer working locally without relying on continuous cloud synchronization, WPS Office is an excellent, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers robust offline capabilities and full compatibility with Microsoft file formats.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and follow the standard installation process.
2. Open Local Documents: Launch WPS Office, click "Open," and navigate to your locally stored OneDrive files in Finder.
3. Edit and Save Offline: Work on your documents smoothly without an internet connection and save changes directly to your local drive.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Completely functional offline, allowing you to work locally without internet dependency.Lightweight application that doesn't consume excessive disk space or memory on your Mac.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my OneDrive files keep changing back to online-only on Mac?

This usually happens if macOS's "Optimize Mac Storage" is active or if OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature is trying to automatically free up local disk space. Marking files as "Always keep on this device" overrides this behavior.

Can I pause OneDrive syncing without making my files online-only?

Yes, you can pause synchronization temporarily from the OneDrive menu bar icon or disable it from opening at login. However, any local changes won't be backed up to the cloud until OneDrive is reopened and syncing resumes.

How do I know if a file is stored locally or online-only?

In Finder, look at the status icon next to the file name. A cloud icon means it is online-only, while a green circle with a checkmark indicates it is fully downloaded and stored locally on your Mac.

Will I lose files if I turn off OneDrive Files On-Demand?

No, turning off Files On-Demand simply triggers OneDrive to download all your cloud files to your local drive. Just ensure you have enough hard drive space on your Mac before proceeding.

Document & File Issues