OneDrive File Issues

How to Move Files from OneDrive to iCloud Drive on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Natalie Taylor Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to transfer files and documents from Microsoft OneDrive to Apple's iCloud Drive across different Apple devices.

How to Move Files from OneDrive to iCloud Drive on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Product: OneDrive and iCloud Drive
Device & OS: iOS, iPadOS, macOS
Scenario: Freeing up full OneDrive storage space or migrating documents entirely into the Apple ecosystem.
Observed behavior: Files need to be moved securely from the OneDrive platform to the iCloud Drive platform without data loss.

Before you start

Ensure you have the OneDrive app installed and signed in on your Apple device, and verify that your iCloud Drive has sufficient storage space to accommodate the transferred files.

Solution 1Recommended

Transfer Files Using the Files App on iPhone and iPad

Use the native Share menu on iOS and iPadOS devices to manually save files from the OneDrive app directly into your iCloud Drive.

This method is ideal for iPhone and iPad users. It leverages Apple's built-in Files integration to seamlessly bridge third-party cloud apps with iCloud Drive.

Open OneDrive

Launch the OneDrive app on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to the file or files you want to move.

Access the Share Menu

Select the files and tap the Share icon located on the screen.

Save to Files

From the sharing options, select 'Save to Files' to open the iOS file manager.

Choose iCloud Drive

Navigate to 'iCloud Drive' in the locations list and select your desired destination folder.

Confirm Save

Tap 'Save' in the top right corner to initiate the transfer.

Transfer Files Using the Files App on iPhone and iPad

Batch Transfer Advice: For large amounts of data, transfer small batches at a time to ensure the process does not time out or fail over slower cellular connections.

Solution 2

Move Files Using Finder on Mac

Use the macOS Finder to copy files between your synced OneDrive and iCloud folders.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Your Transferred Files with WPS Office

After successfully moving your documents from OneDrive to iCloud Drive, use WPS Office to open, edit, and manage them seamlessly across all your Apple devices. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly familiar alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
2. Access Files: Open WPS Office and navigate to the Open file menu.
3. Select iCloud Drive: Choose iCloud Drive as your storage location to instantly access and edit your newly transferred files.

Seamlessly open and edit documents saved directly in your iCloud Drive.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Free and lightweight, saving valuable local storage space on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Cross-platform support ensures your documents look identical and professional across all devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move whole folders directly from OneDrive to iCloud on my iPhone?

Yes. Using the iOS Files app, you can select entire folders within the OneDrive location and copy them over to iCloud Drive, provided you have sufficient iCloud storage space.

Why did my file transfer from OneDrive to iCloud fail?

Transfers typically fail due to insufficient storage space in your iCloud Drive, network interruptions, or attempting to move too many large files at once. It is highly recommended to transfer files in small batches to prevent timeout errors.

Do I need to keep the OneDrive app installed after transferring my files?

Once you have verified that all files are successfully copied and accessible in your iCloud Drive, you can safely uninstall the OneDrive app if you no longer plan to use Microsoft's cloud storage services.

Document & File Issues