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How to Use OneDrive Files On-Demand on Mac Instead of Storage Sense
Question details
Users want to automatically manage local disk usage for OneDrive files on a Mac, similar to the Storage Sense feature available on Windows.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Managing local storage capacity by converting inactive cloud files to online-only.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive for Mac lacks the Windows Storage Sense feature, meaning inactive files are not automatically converted to online-only to save local disk space.
Ensure that your Mac is running a compatible macOS version and that you are signed into the desktop OneDrive app with your Microsoft account.
Enable and Use Files On-Demand
Since Windows Storage Sense is unavailable on macOS, use Files On-Demand to manually keep your files online-only and save local disk space.
OneDrive Files On-Demand allows you to access all your cloud files in macOS Finder without having to download them and use local storage space on your Mac. While it doesn't automatically clean up inactive files, it gives you full manual control over your disk usage.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac's Menu bar, click the Help & Settings gear icon, and select Preferences.
Navigate to the Sync and backup tab (or the Preferences tab, depending on your app version) and ensure that the Files On-Demand feature is toggled on.
Open Finder, right-click any OneDrive file or folder, and select 'Free Up Space' to make it online-only, or select 'Always Keep on This Device' to ensure it remains available offline.
Save Space on Your Mac with WPS Office
If you are looking for an efficient way to handle documents across your devices without cluttering your Mac's local storage, WPS Office is an excellent, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. It seamlessly handles your files while providing cross-platform cloud sync.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Create a free account or log in to access your included cloud storage space.
- 3. Edit and Sync Seamlessly: Open, edit, and save your Microsoft Office documents directly to WPS Cloud, keeping your Mac's storage clean and optimized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Storage Sense work on my Mac?
Storage Sense is a Windows-specific system feature built directly into the Windows operating system. OneDrive for Mac relies on macOS capabilities, which currently do not support automatic inactivity-based cleanup for third-party cloud files.
How do I know if a OneDrive file is online-only on my Mac?
In Finder, look for a cloud icon next to the file or folder name. This indicates the file is online-only and taking up no local disk space. A solid green checkmark means the file is downloaded and taking up space on your device.
Can I automatically free up space on Mac like I do on Windows?
Not automatically through OneDrive. You must manually right-click downloaded files or folders in Finder and select 'Free Up Space' to remove the local copy while keeping the cloud version safe.
