Why OneDrive Shows Duplicate Cache and Root Sync Files on Mac
Question details
Users notice that files appear in both the OneDrive sync root and a hidden cache folder on macOS, giving the impression that files are being duplicated and taking up extra storage space.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Checking disk space usage or exploring hidden OneDrive system folders on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Files appear to exist twice—once in the primary sync root and once in the hidden cache folder—leading users to believe OneDrive is consuming double the storage capacity.
Before making any changes to system files, ensure that your OneDrive app is fully updated to the latest Mac App Store or standalone version, and verify that your files are completely synced to the cloud.
Leave Cache Files Intact (Understand APFS Clones)
Understand how macOS utilizes APFS cloning for OneDrive so you can safely ignore the apparent duplicate files without disrupting your cloud storage configuration.
On macOS, modern versions of OneDrive utilize the Apple File System (APFS) cloning feature. This means that while files might appear in both your sync root folder and a hidden cache folder, they are actually sharing the exact same physical disk space.
They do not use double storage unless one of the cloned files is modified. Attempting to manually clean up these system cache files can severely disrupt your sync process.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Mac's top menu bar. Ensure the status says 'Up to date' and there are no active syncing errors.
Do not attempt to navigate to the hidden OneDrive cache folder to manually delete files. Doing so can break the APFS links, corrupt OneDrive's syncing mechanism, or remove your account configuration entirely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting the OneDrive cache folder free up space on my Mac?
No. Because macOS uses APFS clones, the files in the cache folder and the sync root share the exact same physical storage. Deleting the cache folder will not free up additional space and is highly likely to corrupt your OneDrive configuration.
How can I actually free up OneDrive space on my Mac?
You can use the built-in 'Free Up Space' feature. Simply right-click the file or folder within your OneDrive sync root and select 'Free Up Space'. This safely removes the local downloaded copy while keeping the file securely stored in your cloud.
Why does Mac Finder show double the file size for my OneDrive folders?
macOS Finder calculates the logical size of each file independently when you inspect folder properties, even if they are APFS clones sharing the same physical storage blocks. This causes the total reported size to appear doubled, though actual hardware disk usage is not affected.
