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How to Use OneDrive on a Mac with an External USB SSD
Question details
The user wants to configure and use OneDrive with a sync folder located on an external USB SSD connected to a Mac.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Moving or setting up the OneDrive sync folder on an external SSD to save internal Mac storage space.
- Observed behavior
- Needs to configure proper macOS permissions, ensure synchronization works without errors, and maintain a stable connection with the external drive.
Ensure your external USB SSD is properly formatted (APFS is highly recommended for macOS) and connected directly to your Mac. Back up your existing OneDrive data to prevent accidental loss during the transition.
Set Up OneDrive Sync Folder on the External SSD
Unlink your current OneDrive account and select the external SSD as the new synchronization location during the setup process.
This is the primary method for moving your OneDrive folder to an external drive. You must have enough free space on the external SSD to accommodate your cloud files.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Mac menu bar, click the gear icon for Settings, and select 'Preferences'. Go to the 'Account' tab and click 'Unlink this Mac'.
Open OneDrive again and enter your Microsoft account credentials to sign in.
When the setup wizard prompts you with the default OneDrive folder location, click the 'Change Location' button.
Navigate to your connected external USB SSD in Finder, choose the desired location on the drive, and confirm.
Finish the setup wizard and allow OneDrive to process and sync your files to the new location on the external SSD.
Grant macOS Permissions for External Drive Access
Provide OneDrive with the necessary macOS system permissions to read and write data to removable volumes.
Prevent Mac Sleep and Unexpected Ejections
Adjust macOS power settings to prevent the Mac from sleeping or ejecting the external drive during large synchronization tasks.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While configuring your external storage for cloud syncing, consider using WPS Office as your primary productivity suite. It is highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, lightweight, and supports saving and editing files directly on external SSDs or cloud drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What format should my external SSD be for OneDrive on Mac?
For the best performance and compatibility on macOS, format your external USB SSD as APFS (Apple File System). Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is also supported, but APFS is optimized specifically for SSDs.
Why does OneDrive show an error when my Mac wakes from sleep?
If your Mac puts hard disks to sleep or ejects the external SSD during standby, OneDrive loses connection to the sync folder. You should disable the 'Put hard disks to sleep when possible' option in macOS system settings.
Can I disconnect my external SSD when OneDrive is not running?
Yes, you can safely eject and disconnect your external SSD as long as you first quit the OneDrive application entirely to ensure no background syncing is taking place.
What happens if I forget to plug in my SSD before starting my Mac?
OneDrive will display an error stating that the sync folder cannot be found. Simply plug in your external SSD, wait a moment for macOS to mount it, and then restart the OneDrive app to resume syncing.
