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How to Back Up a Mac and External Drive to One OneDrive Account
Question details
The user wants to know if a single OneDrive account can be used to store and back up files from both a Mac computer and an external hard drive.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Consolidating backups from multiple data sources, including internal Mac storage and an external drive, into one cloud storage account.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking clarification on storage limitations, backup feasibility, and whether a 1TB OneDrive plan is sufficient for syncing large volumes of data.
Check your current OneDrive storage quota to ensure you have enough space for both your Mac files and the external drive data, and connect your Mac to a stable, high-speed Wi-Fi network before transferring large files.
Sync Mac and External Drive Files using OneDrive
Install the OneDrive desktop app to synchronize your Mac files, and manually upload files from your external drive into your cloud storage.
It is entirely possible to store files from both devices in one account, provided you have sufficient storage. However, keep in mind that OneDrive is primarily a file synchronization service rather than a complete system-image backup. Uploading large amounts of data (like 600 GB) will take considerable time and use up a significant portion of a standard 1 TB plan.
Download and install the OneDrive app for Mac from the Mac App Store or Microsoft's official website.
Sign in to your OneDrive account and follow the on-screen instructions to create a local OneDrive folder on your Mac's internal drive.
Drag and drop the important files and folders from your Mac into the newly created OneDrive folder to begin cloud synchronization.
Connect your external hard drive to the Mac. Because OneDrive does not natively support syncing directly from a removable external drive, open your web browser, log into the OneDrive website, and manually upload the external drive's folders directly to the cloud.
Use a Dedicated System Backup Solution (Time Machine)
Since OneDrive only syncs individual files, use a dedicated backup tool for full system-image backups of your Mac.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are managing heavy document backups, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with its own built-in WPS Cloud storage to keep your essential files safely backed up and synced across all your devices without eating up massive external drive space.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free Mac version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Enable Cloud Sync: Sign in with your email to activate WPS Cloud and automatically back up your important documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sync folders directly from an external hard drive using the OneDrive app?
Officially, OneDrive requires its sync folder to be located on a non-removable drive formatted with APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). It cannot continuously sync folders that live on a removable external drive. You must upload those files manually via the web interface.
Does OneDrive create a complete system backup of my Mac?
No, OneDrive is strictly a file synchronization service. It backs up documents, photos, and loose files you place in its designated folder, but it cannot create a full system-image backup or restore your macOS operating system in case of a crash.
What happens to my synced files if I unplug the external drive?
If you uploaded the external files directly via the web browser, they will remain safely stored in your OneDrive cloud account regardless of whether the external drive is plugged in. They will not be deleted.
