OneDrive Error Codes

How to Fix OneDrive Error -1 When Syncing Multiple Accounts on Mac

Khadija Khan Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix OneDrive error -1 which prevents them from signing in and syncing multiple OneDrive accounts simultaneously on a MacBook.

How to Fix OneDrive Error -1 When Syncing Multiple Accounts on Mac

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to and sync two or more OneDrive accounts concurrently on a Mac computer.
Observed behavior: The system throws error -1, completely blocking the user from syncing multiple accounts, despite the exact same account configuration working smoothly on a Windows PC.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, verify the types of OneDrive accounts you are trying to sync. OneDrive for Mac supports adding multiple work or school accounts, but strictly restricts users to only one personal account per device.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account Types and Tenant Compatibility

Ensure you are not attempting to link multiple personal accounts or incompatible tenant configurations.

OneDrive for Mac restricts users to a single personal account. If you attempt to sign in with a second personal account, or if there are conflicts within the same Microsoft 365 tenant for work or school accounts, error -1 will frequently trigger.

Check Account Types

Log into OneDrive online to verify whether the accounts you are trying to sync are officially registered as Personal or Work/School accounts.

Remove Secondary Personal Account

If you are trying to add a second personal account, remove it from the Mac OneDrive login prompt, as macOS cannot run multiple personal instances natively.

Verify Tenant Setup

For work or school accounts, ensure your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator has allowed multi-tenant or multi-account syncing on macOS devices.

Verify Account Types and Tenant Compatibility

Account Limitation: You can only have one personal account synced. All other synced accounts must be work or school accounts.

Solution 2

Update macOS and the OneDrive Client

Outdated software can cause syncing conflicts and trigger error codes on Mac.

Solution 3

Reset OneDrive for Mac

Resetting the OneDrive sync app clears its cached settings and can resolve stubborn connection issues like error -1.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync two personal OneDrive accounts on a Mac?

No, the OneDrive client for macOS strictly limits users to one personal account. If you want to sync multiple accounts simultaneously, any additional accounts must be registered as work or school accounts.

Why do I get OneDrive error -1 on Mac but not on Windows?

The Mac and Windows OneDrive clients handle multi-account instances differently due to underlying OS architecture. Mac enforces stricter tenant and account type limits, triggering error -1 when an incompatible secondary account is added.

What should I do if resetting OneDrive does not fix error -1?

If resetting the application and updating macOS fails, gather your specific error code and account type details, then contact Microsoft Support directly through the Help & Feedback section in the OneDrive menu for backend assistance.

Microsoft Office Error Codes