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How to Back Up Two iPhones to Separate OneDrive Folders
Question details
The user wants to back up photos and videos from two different iPhones into distinct destination folders using a single OneDrive account.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive iOS App
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Automating photo and video backups from multiple mobile devices to cloud storage without mixing the files together.
- Observed behavior
- The OneDrive app automatically uploads media from both iPhones into the exact same default 'Camera Roll' folder, with no built-in option to specify separate destination folders per device.
Ensure you know your primary Microsoft account credentials and check that you have enough available cloud storage to accommodate the photo libraries from both iPhones.
Use Separate OneDrive Accounts and Share Folders
Since the OneDrive app cannot separate uploads by device on the same account, creating a second free account and sharing the folder is the most automated workaround.
Microsoft limits automatic camera roll backups to a single, hardcoded folder per account. To keep device backups separated automatically, you must use distinct accounts for each device.
By sharing the secondary account's folder with your primary account, you can still view and manage all photos from your main OneDrive dashboard or PC.
On the second iPhone, sign out of your main OneDrive account. Tap 'Sign up' to create a new, free Microsoft account specifically for this device.
Sign in to the OneDrive app on the second iPhone using the new account. Go to Settings > Camera Upload and turn it on to begin syncing to this isolated account.
In the secondary OneDrive account, locate the 'Pictures/Camera Roll' folder. Tap the three dots (More) next to it, select 'Share', and send an invite link to your primary Microsoft account email.
Log into your primary OneDrive account on your computer, accept the shared folder invitation, and add it to your 'My Files' so you can access both iPhones' backups in one place.
Manually Organize Photos into Device-Specific Folders
If you strongly prefer keeping a single OneDrive account and subscription, you can let both phones upload together and periodically sort them into manual folders.
Use a Third-Party Cloud Backup Service
Switching to a different cloud storage provider that supports device-specific folders can bypass OneDrive's iOS limitations entirely.
Manage Your Documents and Cloud Files with WPS Office
While managing complex photo backups in OneDrive can be restrictive, handling your everyday documents doesn't have to be. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and unified platform for your document needs with excellent format compatibility and built-in cross-device cloud synchronization.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website or the iOS App Store to download WPS Office for free on your devices.
- 2. Sign In for Cloud Sync: Create a free WPS account to enable automatic document synchronization across your phone, tablet, and PC.
- 3. Open Your Files: Easily open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office documents directly within the WPS app without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rename the default Camera Roll folder in the iOS OneDrive app?
No. The OneDrive app for iOS has a hardcoded destination path for camera uploads. All photos and videos will always upload to the default 'Camera Roll' folder, and it cannot be renamed or redirected from within the app settings.
Does OneDrive on iOS support multiple personal accounts simultaneously?
The iOS OneDrive app allows you to sign in to one personal account and one work or school account at the same time. You cannot sign in to two separate personal accounts simultaneously on a single device.
Will deleting photos from my iPhone also delete them from my OneDrive Camera Roll?
No, the camera upload feature acts as a one-way backup. If you delete a photo from your iPhone's local storage after it has synced, the copy saved in your OneDrive Camera Roll will remain untouched.
