How to Download the Apple Silicon Version of OneDrive for Mac
Question details
The user wants to install the native Apple Silicon version of OneDrive on their Mac instead of the Intel version.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Mac (Apple Silicon)
- Scenario
- Downloading and installing the OneDrive desktop application on a Mac equipped with an M1, M2, or M3 chip.
- Observed behavior
- The Mac App Store or standard installer downloads the Intel architecture version, causing the application to run via Rosetta instead of natively as an Apple Silicon or Universal app.
Check your current OneDrive installation by opening Activity Monitor on your Mac, finding OneDrive in the CPU tab, and looking at the 'Kind' column to see if it says 'Intel' or 'Apple'.
Download the Standalone Apple Silicon Version from Release Notes
Bypass the Mac App Store and download the native Apple Silicon installer directly from Microsoft's release notes page.
The version of OneDrive available on the Mac App Store is often maintained as an Intel application. To get the native Apple Silicon experience, you need to download the standalone installer directly from Microsoft's release history page.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft 'OneDrive release notes for Mac' webpage.
Scroll down the page to find the 'Rolling out' or 'Production' section corresponding to the latest OneDrive release.
Look for the specific download link labeled 'Apple Silicon' or 'Standalone' and click it to download the .pkg installation file.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the native Apple Silicon version of OneDrive.
Uninstall the Mac App Store Version First
Ensure there are no software conflicts by completely removing the Intel-based Mac App Store version before installing the standalone version.
Experience Native Apple Silicon Performance with WPS Office
If you want a productivity suite that runs natively and flawlessly on your M-series Mac without the hassle of managing different application architectures, try WPS Office. It provides a blazing-fast experience, lightweight design, and its own seamless cloud synchronization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Mac App Store download the Intel version of OneDrive?
The version of OneDrive available on the Mac App Store is currently maintained as an Intel application, relying on Apple's Rosetta 2 translation layer to run on newer Macs. Microsoft provides the optimized, native Apple Silicon version primarily through their standalone website installer.
How can I tell if my Mac uses Apple Silicon or Intel?
Click the Apple menu () in the top left corner of your screen and select 'About This Mac'. Look for a section labeled 'Chip'. If it says Apple M1, M2, or M3, you have an Apple Silicon Mac. If it says 'Processor' with an Intel core name, you have an Intel Mac.
What is the benefit of using the native Apple Silicon version of OneDrive?
Native applications are compiled specifically for the Apple M-series chips. Using the native Apple Silicon version of OneDrive significantly reduces CPU usage, consumes less RAM, extends your MacBook's battery life, and provides faster file syncing compared to running the Intel version through Rosetta 2.
Will I lose my synced files if I switch from the Intel to the Apple Silicon version?
No, your files are safely stored in your cloud account and locally in your OneDrive folder. Uninstalling the Intel application and replacing it with the Apple Silicon application will not delete your files. OneDrive may perform a quick sync validation check after you sign back in.
