How to Revoke OneDrive Shared Folder Access on Mac
Question details
The user wants to remove another person's sharing privileges from a specific OneDrive folder.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Managing file privacy and security by stopping a specific user from accessing a previously shared folder.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a clear method to navigate OneDrive sharing settings on a Mac to revoke access.
Ensure you are logged into your Mac with the Microsoft account that originally created and owns the OneDrive folder, as only the owner has the administrative rights to modify or revoke sharing permissions.
Revoke Access Using OneDrive for Web
Managing permissions through the OneDrive web interface is the most reliable method and ensures your changes are immediately synced to the cloud.
By accessing OneDrive through your browser, you bypass any potential local sync issues on your Mac. This guarantees that access revocation is instantly applied to the Microsoft servers.
Open your preferred web browser on your Mac (such as Safari or Chrome) and log in to onedrive.live.com with your Microsoft credentials.
Navigate to the 'My files' section or click on the 'Shared' tab on the left sidebar to find the folder you want to modify.
Right-click the folder and select 'Manage access' from the context menu, or click the three-dot menu icon next to the folder name and choose 'Manage access'.
In the Manage Access panel, you can click 'Stop sharing' to revoke all access, or click the specific person's name and select 'Remove' to revoke access for just that individual.
Revoke Access Using Mac Finder (OneDrive App)
If you have the OneDrive desktop app installed on your Mac, you can manage access directly from Finder without opening a web browser.
Securely Manage and Share Files with WPS Office
If you are struggling with complex Microsoft cloud permissions or looking for a more streamlined alternative, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, intuitive experience on macOS with built-in cloud storage, allowing you to seamlessly edit and securely share your files without the hassle.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website, download the macOS installer, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2. Upload to WPS Cloud: Sign in to your free WPS account, open your document, and click 'Save to Cloud' to securely back up your file.
- 3. Share with Control: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner. You can generate a private link, specify viewing or editing permissions, and easily revoke access at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person be notified when I revoke their OneDrive access?
No, OneDrive does not send a notification to the user when you remove their access. They will simply receive an error message stating they do not have permission the next time they attempt to open the folder link.
What happens to the files they already downloaded before I revoked access?
Revoking access only prevents future access to the live, synced folder. Any files the person had previously downloaded and saved locally to their Mac or device will remain in their possession.
Can I temporarily pause access instead of completely revoking it?
OneDrive does not have a native 'pause' feature for shared folders. You must remove the user to stop access, and you will need to re-share the folder with them later when you want to restore their access.
Why can't I see the 'Manage Access' option in Finder?
If 'Manage Access' is missing in Finder, ensure the OneDrive app is running and fully updated. Alternatively, macOS privacy settings might be blocking OneDrive's Finder extensions. You can bypass this by managing access via OneDrive for Web.




