OneDrive File Issues

How to Sync Photos from a Second Android Phone to One OneDrive Account

Amos Gikunda Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to back up photos from a second Android phone to a shared Microsoft 365 OneDrive account but receives an error stating the account is already connected to another Samsung account.

How to Sync Photos from a Second Android Phone to the Same OneDrive Account

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Setting up automatic photo backup from multiple Samsung Android devices to a single shared Microsoft OneDrive account.
Observed behavior: An error message appears indicating that the Microsoft account is already connected to a Samsung account, preventing the second device from natively syncing photos to the same OneDrive account.

Before you start

Verify the exact Microsoft and Samsung accounts signed into both Android devices, and ensure you have the login credentials for both accounts available.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Shared OneDrive Folder

Since a Microsoft account can only link to one Samsung account, using a shared folder allows the second user to sync photos without conflicting with the primary integration.

Due to the integration rules between Samsung Gallery and Microsoft OneDrive, a personal Microsoft account can only be connected to one Samsung account at a time. To bypass this restriction, the second user should use their own Microsoft account and upload photos to a shared folder.

Create a shared folder

Open OneDrive on the primary account (the one already linked to the first phone) and create a new folder designated for the second phone's photos.

Share the folder with the second account

Tap the 'Share' icon on the newly created folder, enter the email address associated with the second person's Microsoft account, and ensure they are granted editing permissions.

Accept and add to OneDrive

On the second Android phone, log into the second person's Microsoft account, accept the sharing invitation, and select 'Add to my OneDrive' to easily access the folder.

Upload photos to the shared folder

Have the second user upload their photos directly into this shared folder using the OneDrive app, bypassing the Samsung Gallery auto-sync limitation.

Auto-Upload Behavior: Because the native Samsung Gallery integration is bypassed, automatic camera uploads on the second phone will go to its own OneDrive account. You may need to manually move photos to the shared folder or use the OneDrive app's built-in camera backup instead of the Samsung Gallery integration.

Solution 2

Verify and Manage Samsung Account Connections

Check if both phones are using the same Samsung account, or unlink an old device if it is no longer in use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link two Samsung accounts to one Microsoft OneDrive account?

No. Microsoft and Samsung account integration currently allows only one Samsung account to be linked to a single personal Microsoft account at any given time.

How do I unlink my Samsung account from OneDrive?

To unlink the accounts, sign in to your Microsoft Account online, navigate to the 'Privacy' or 'Apps and services' section, locate Samsung, and revoke its connected access.

Can multiple Android devices use the same OneDrive account for camera uploads?

Yes, if you use the standalone Microsoft OneDrive app on standard Android devices. However, Samsung devices that use the built-in Samsung Gallery app integration are strictly limited by the 1-to-1 account connection rule.

Document & File Issues