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Fix OneDrive "Personal Account is Already Syncing" Error on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to add a second OneDrive account on their Mac and receives an error message stating that a personal account is already syncing.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Trying to add an additional OneDrive account (either personal or organizational) to the OneDrive desktop application on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- The application blocks the addition of the account and displays the error message: "You're already syncing a personal OneDrive on this computer. Unlink that account to add a new one."
Verify whether the second account you are trying to add is a Microsoft Personal account or a Work/School account, as OneDrive's desktop application handles them differently.
Sync a Second Personal Account via File Sharing
Since OneDrive strictly limits devices to one personal account, you can bypass this limitation by sharing files from your secondary account to your primary one.
Microsoft does not allow two personal OneDrive accounts to sync simultaneously on the same device. This built-in limitation can be circumvented using OneDrive's web sharing features.
Open your web browser and sign in to the secondary personal OneDrive account that you cannot add to your Mac.
Select the folders or files you want to access on your Mac, click the "Share" button, and send the invitation to your primary personal account's email address.
Sign out and log into your primary personal account on the web. Navigate to the "Shared" tab on the left menu, locate the shared folder, and click "Add shortcut to My files".
Your Mac will now automatically sync the secondary account's shared folders through your primary account's connection.
Unlink the Current Personal Account to Switch
If you no longer need the current personal account on this Mac, you must unlink it before you can add a different personal account.
Add a Work or School Account Correctly
OneDrive allows multiple organizational accounts alongside one personal account. Follow these steps if you are trying to add a work or school account.
Manage Your Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by the strict syncing limitations of Microsoft accounts, consider switching to a more flexible office suite. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that offers seamless document management and built-in cloud storage without the complex account restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder to install it.
- 3. Sign In and Sync: Launch the app and create a free WPS account to access cloud storage and start editing your documents seamlessly across your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run two instances of the OneDrive app on my Mac?
No, Microsoft does not support running multiple instances of the OneDrive client for personal accounts on macOS. You can only run one instance that handles one personal account and multiple work or school accounts.
How many Work or School accounts can I add to OneDrive?
You can add multiple Work or School accounts to a single OneDrive app, provided you only have a maximum of one personal account synced at the same time.
Why does it say an account is syncing when I already uninstalled OneDrive?
Uninstalling the app does not necessarily remove the account linkage data hidden in your Mac's Library folder. You may need to clear OneDrive cached files in the Keychain Access and Library folder to completely remove the old account connection before reinstalling.
