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Fix Microsoft 365 Family OneDrive Storage Not Sharing with Members
Question details
Users sharing a Microsoft 365 Family subscription find that family members still have the default 5GB OneDrive storage limit instead of the promised 1TB.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Family
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A primary account holder shares their Microsoft 365 Family subscription, but invited members do not receive the upgraded OneDrive storage capacity.
- Observed behavior
- Family members' OneDrive accounts display a 5GB storage limit instead of 1TB, even after successfully accepting the sharing invitation.
Ensure that the primary account holder's Microsoft 365 Family subscription is currently active, and verify that the family member has successfully logged in and accepted the sharing invitation via email.
Verify Subscription and Allow 48 Hours for Storage Sync
Microsoft servers often require up to 48 hours to update OneDrive storage quotas across linked family accounts.
When a family member accepts a Microsoft 365 subscription invite, the license status updates instantly, but backend storage provisioning is handled by a different server. This often causes a delay in reflecting the 1TB quota.
Have the primary account holder log in to https://account.microsoft.com/services to ensure the Microsoft 365 Family subscription is active and in good standing.
Ask the family member to log in to OneDrive.com using a web browser. Check the storage quota displayed in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
If the quota still shows 5GB on the web, wait up to 48 hours from the time the invitation was accepted for Microsoft's servers to allocate the 1TB storage space.
Unlink, Relink, and Reset the OneDrive Desktop App
If the web version shows 1TB but the desktop application is stuck at 5GB, resetting the local client will force a fresh sync.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Microsoft 365 Family invite say I only have 5GB?
The default free OneDrive tier is 5GB. When you accept a Family subscription invite, Microsoft's servers can take up to 48 hours to provision the upgraded 1TB of storage to your specific account.
Can the primary account holder see what I store in my 1TB OneDrive?
No. Even though the subscription is shared, each member's OneDrive storage remains completely private. The primary account holder cannot access your files unless you explicitly generate a sharing link for them.
What happens to my OneDrive files if the family subscription expires or is cancelled?
Your storage limit will revert to the default 5GB. Your files will remain in OneDrive and you can still view and download them, but your account will be frozen for uploads until you free up space or renew a subscription.
