OneDrive File Issues

How to Recover Local OneDrive Files After Sync Stops on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover unsynchronized local OneDrive files on a Mac after the online storage became full and files were deleted, and subsequently troubleshoot a Microsoft installer error when trying to reinstall OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Online OneDrive storage reached full capacity causing file synchronization to stop, leaving unsynchronized files on the local Mac storage.
Observed behavior: Local files remain unsynchronized, and attempting to uninstall and reinstall the OneDrive application results in a Microsoft installer error.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac has enough local disk space to copy and back up your existing OneDrive files before unlinking your account or making changes to the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Safely Back Up Local Files and Reinstall OneDrive

Securely copy your accessible local files to another folder before unlinking the account and reinstalling the OneDrive application.

When OneDrive storage becomes full and synchronization stops, it is critical not to delete the local OneDrive folder immediately. Unsynchronized files may still exist locally and could be lost if the folder is wiped without a backup.

Verify File Status

Open Finder and navigate to your local OneDrive folder. Check the status icons next to your files to determine whether they are stored locally (solid green checkmark) or online-only (cloud icon).

Back Up Accessible Files

Verify your Mac's available storage space. Select all locally stored, accessible files within the OneDrive folder, copy them, and paste them into a separate, secure backup location on your Mac's local drive (e.g., your Desktop or Documents folder).

Unlink Your Mac

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar. Go to Settings (the gear icon) > Preferences > Account tab, and click 'Unlink this Mac'. Quit the OneDrive application completely.

Remove the Application

Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, locate the Microsoft OneDrive app, and drag it to the Trash to uninstall it.

Reinstall OneDrive

Download the latest version of the OneDrive installer from the official Microsoft website or the Mac App Store and run the installation package.

Troubleshooting Installer Errors: If the Microsoft installer displays an error during reinstallation, try restarting your Mac, clearing application caches, or redownloading the installer package to ensure it is not corrupted.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Reliable Document Management on Mac

While troubleshooting Microsoft OneDrive sync issues, consider using WPS Office as a lightweight, free, and fully compatible Office alternative. It integrates smoothly with macOS and offers built-in cloud storage options to keep your files safe and perfectly synced.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version. Run the installer and drag the application to your Applications folder.
2. Sign In to Access Cloud Storage: Launch WPS Office and sign in with your email or third-party account to unlock free WPS Cloud storage for automatic file backups.
3. Open Your Microsoft Office Files: Simply drag and drop your backed-up .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly into WPS Office to continue working without formatting issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight installation that doesn't consume excessive system resources on your Mac.Built-in WPS Cloud storage offers a reliable, secondary backup alternative for syncing files.Familiar user interface makes transitioning from Microsoft Office seamless and intuitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my local files if I delete the OneDrive app on Mac?

Uninstalling the OneDrive application from your Mac's Applications folder will not automatically delete your local OneDrive folder or the files inside it. However, it is highly recommended to copy these files to a separate backup folder first to prevent accidental data loss during reinstallation.

Why does the Microsoft OneDrive installer show an error on macOS?

Installer errors can occur due to corrupted download files, leftover application caches from previous installations, or macOS security settings blocking the installation. Try clearing the application cache, restarting your Mac, and redownloading the installer from the official source.

How do I know if my OneDrive files are stored locally or online-only?

In Finder, check the status icon next to the file or folder. A solid green circle with a checkmark means it is stored locally and takes up space on your Mac, while a cloud icon indicates it is online-only and requires an active internet connection to open.

Document & File Issues