Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

How to Fix Duplicate OneDrive Apps and Sync Issues on MacBook

Tauseeq Magsi Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to sync OneDrive on their MacBook, cannot see shared folders in Finder, has duplicate app installations in the System Report, and is blocked from reinstalling the software.

How to Fix Duplicate OneDrive Apps and Sync Issues on MacBook

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: MacBook (macOS)
Scenario: Attempting to sync cloud files, access shared folders locally, and reinstall the OneDrive desktop client on a MacBook.
Observed behavior: OneDrive stops synchronizing files, shared folders disappear from Mac Finder, System Report displays two active installations, and the installer prevents a new installation from proceeding.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using a personal or business Microsoft account, and check if your current OneDrive app was downloaded from the Mac App Store or the official Microsoft website.

Solution 1

Restore Shared Folders via OneDrive Web

Use the web version of OneDrive to create shortcuts so your shared folders appear in Mac Finder.

If shared folders are completely missing from your local Finder but still exist in your account, they need to be linked to your primary file directory via a shortcut.

Sign in to OneDrive Online

Open a web browser, go to the official OneDrive website, and sign in with your Microsoft credentials.

Navigate to Shared Folders

Click on 'Shared' in the left-hand navigation pane to view files and folders shared with you.

Add Shortcut to My Files

Select the missing shared folder and click the 'Add shortcut to My files' button at the top menu. Allow time for the client to sync this shortcut to your MacBook Finder.

Solution 2Recommended

Perform a Clean Reinstallation of OneDrive

Completely remove all duplicate OneDrive applications and residual files to fix the blocked installer issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my OneDrive shared folders not showing in Mac Finder?

Shared folders will not appear locally in Finder by default. You must log into the web version of OneDrive, navigate to the 'Shared' section, and select 'Add shortcut to My files' for them to sync locally.

Why does my System Report show two OneDrive apps installed?

This conflict typically happens if OneDrive was downloaded from both the Mac App Store and directly from Microsoft's website. Uninstall both versions and reinstall only one to resolve the conflict.

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my locally synced files?

No, dragging the OneDrive app to the Trash will not delete your files stored in the local OneDrive folder. However, any changes you make to these local files while the app is uninstalled will not sync to the cloud until you reinstall it.

How do I fix the 'Reinstallation is blocked by the installer' error?

This error occurs because hidden residual files from a previous installation still exist on your Mac. You must navigate to the hidden '~/Library/' directory and manually delete files associated with 'com.microsoft.OneDrive' before attempting to reinstall.

Installation & Activation