How to Manage OneDrive Files On-Demand and Green Check Marks on Mac
Question details
The user wants to understand the meaning of the open green check mark in OneDrive for macOS and how locally downloaded files transition back to online-only status.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Managing cloud files and local disk space using the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Files display an open green check mark when opened, and the user needs to know if they automatically revert to online-only to save space as they do on Windows.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and that the OneDrive application is running with the 'Files On-Demand' feature enabled in its preferences.
Manually Free Up Space for OneDrive Files on Mac
Use the macOS Finder context menu to manually return locally downloaded OneDrive files to an online-only status.
When you open an online-only file on a Mac, it downloads to your local drive and displays an open green check mark. Unlike Windows, which uses Storage Sense to automate cloud file cleanup based on activity, macOS requires you to manually return these files to online-only status when you no longer need them stored locally.
Open Finder and navigate to your OneDrive folder on your Mac. Look for the files or folders displaying an open green check mark, which indicates they are currently taking up local disk space.
Right-click or Control-click the specific file or folder you want to remove from your Mac's local storage.
Click 'Free Up Space' from the dropdown menu. The open green check mark will change back to a cloud icon, indicating the file is now online-only and your local storage has been freed.
Edit Your OneDrive Cloud Files with WPS Office for Mac
Looking for a lightweight and powerful office suite for your Mac? WPS Office seamlessly integrates with local OneDrive folders, allowing you to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly with exceptional compatibility and zero subscription fees.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite for macOS from the official website.
- 2. Open your synced files: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and navigate to your Mac's OneDrive folder to select any document.
- 3. Edit and auto-save: Edit your document normally. Any changes you save will be automatically synced back to the cloud by your OneDrive app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Storage Sense work on macOS to clean up old OneDrive files?
No, the Windows Storage Sense feature that automatically makes locally available OneDrive content online-only after a set number of days is not available on macOS. Mac users must manage this manually.
What is the difference between an open green check mark and a solid green check mark?
An open green check mark means the file was downloaded temporarily because you opened it. A solid green check mark means you explicitly selected 'Always Keep on This Device', ensuring the file stays on your Mac for offline access permanently.
Will opening an online-only file use my Mac's local storage?
Yes. When you open an online-only file (indicated by a cloud icon), OneDrive must download it to your Mac to open it. It then gains an open green check mark and occupies local disk space until you manually free it up.
