How to use OneDrive for Mac | Restore files from OneDrive

Do you want to store your documents, videos, or other digital assets but don't feel like using iCloud? In that case, using OneDrive on your Mac can be the solution. You can upload your movies and photos and access them from other devices. Additionally, OneDrive for Mac can help you with limited local storage on your Mac. The added advantage is that OneDrive also ensures the safety of your files!

This article will walk you through using OneDrive on your Mac. If you have lost files in OneDrive and wish to recover them, we've got you covered. Read on to learn more!

Download and install OneDrive for Mac

Want to know how to download OneDrive? It's simple – you can easily get it from the Mac App Store with just a few steps. After downloading, you can set up automatic syncing to keep your media files safe. You can also preview your files in Finder and personalize your settings as needed. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Go to the “OneDrive download” page and select the “Download” option.

Step 2: Open the OneDrive.pkg file and follow the on-screen instructions to run the app.

Step 3: After installation, access OneDrive from your Mac's Applications folder or Launchpad.

Step 4 Sign in with a Microsoft account, organizational account, or an account from an earlier version of Office.

Step 5. Choose where to store the OneDrive folder on your Mac. You can also customize the folder name.

Step 6: Select the folders you want to sync with your Mac, then click the “Start Backup” button.

Step 7: Click Next to learn how to use OneDrive on your Mac. If you want OneDrive to sync when you sign in automatically, choose Open at Login.

Step 8. Click “Open my OneDrive folder” to view your files in Finder. You can also access the OneDrive folder from the menu bar or Dock icon.

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Restore files from the OneDrive app on Mac

Users of OneDrive on a Mac might accidentally delete or lose data. You may be unable to access the files you need due to corruption. If you've lost data in the OneDrive app on your Mac, don't despair; there are ways to perform Mac file recovery. In this section, we'll show you how to check the OneDrive Recycle Bin, restore missing files, and even recover corrupted files on Mac.

Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin

Checking the OneDrive Recycle Bin on your Mac is a simple way to recover lost data. Users with Macs move their OneDrive files to the Recycle Bin. Files in the OneDrive Recycle Bin are permanently deleted when you empty it or after 30 days. To check the “OneDrive Recycle Bin”:

Step 1: Launch OneDrive on your Mac, and then click the menu bar icon.

Step 2: Select "Trash" from the left sidebar.

Step 3: The OneDrive Recycle Bin shows your deleted files. You can sort them by name, date deleted, or size.

Step 4: Select a file and click “Recover.”

How to recover deleted files from OneDrive

For Mac users who accidentally delete important data, OneDrive's version history feature is an option. In OneDrive, you can travel back in time to view previous versions of files and even fully restore them. This way, you can recover files that were unintentionally deleted, damaged, or overwritten. Here are the steps to use version history: 1. Open the OneDrive application and log in to your account. 2. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to restore. 3. Select the file you wish to recover and right-click on it, or use two fingers to click if using a trackpad. 4. From the context menu, choose "Version history" or "Version history records" (depending on your system settings). 5. You'll see a list of different versions of the file, ordered by date. Scroll to find the version you need. 6. Click on the version you want to restore to preview its content. 7. If you're sure you want to recover it, select "Restore this version." This will replace the file with the chosen version. 8. The file will be restored to its original location, and you can verify if it has been successfully recovered. Please note that this feature requires you to have enabled OneDrive's version history before deleting the file. If it wasn't enabled, new versions created after deletion won't be recoverable.

Step 1: Launch OneDrive on your Mac and click the menu bar icon.

Step 2: Sign in to OneDrive and click View online.

Step 3: Choose your file from the folder.

Step 4: Select “Version history” from the More options (three dots).

Step 5: View previous versions of the file and its creation date and time.

Step 6: Choose a version, then click “Restore” at the top.

3. Recover Corrupted Files from the OneDrive App on Mac

OneDrive for Mac might be unable to open corrupted files. This issue can occur due to virus infections, power failures, network interruptions, or bugs in the program itself. If your files have become damaged while using OneDrive on your Mac, you'll need to use specialized data recovery software designed for this purpose.

The Mac Data Recovery Wizard is a top-tier data recovery tool for Mac. This powerful data retrieval software can restore data from various storage media, including hard disk drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives (F drives), USB thumb drives, memory cards, and more. It supports APFS, HFS+, HFS X, FAT/exFAT, and NTFS file systems.

Main Features of Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Include:

- Recover data from formatted, damaged, inaccessible, or lost partitions. - Restore data erased from the Trash or with Command+Delete. - Decrypt encrypted or password-protected drives. - Recover from Time Machine and iCloud backups. - Preview files before recovery and filter results by type or date.

You can try using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool and follow these steps:

Step 1: Search for the Missing File

Select the disk location where you want to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external hard drive), and then click the “Search Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your HDD/SSD in case of further data loss. After the backup, the software can restore data from the disk image, and you can use the HDD or SSD again.

Step 2: Review the scan results

The software will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen and display photos, documents, audio, video, and email in the left-hand pane.

Step 3: Select the files and recover them

Preview the data and then hit “Recover” to get them back.

Set up OneDrive for Mac

After you download and install OneDrive for Mac, you need to set it up before you can start using it. Setting up OneDrive for Mac includes signing in to your account, choosing the location of your OneDrive folder, deciding which folders to sync, and viewing helpful tips. Follow these steps to set up OneDrive on your Mac:

Step 1: Open OneDrive from the Dock or the Applications folder.

Step 2 Sign in with your Microsoft or work/school account.

Step 3: Choose the location for your Mac's OneDrive folder. You can rename the folder if you like.

Step 4: Choose the folders to sync with your Mac, then click Next. You can click Choose Folders later to skip this step.

Step 5: Next, review the OneDrive FAQs for Mac. If you want your files to sync each time you connect to your Mac, select Open at login so my files sync automatically.

Step 6. Click on "Open My OneDrive" to view your files in Finder. You can also access your OneDrive folder from the menu bar or the Dock icon.

Upload files to OneDrive for Mac

With OneDrive for Mac, you can store your files in the cloud and access them from any device, which is a significant advantage. When using OneDrive on your Mac, you can easily upload files by either dragging and dropping them or selecting "Upload" from the menu.

1. Drag and Drop

It's easy to upload files to OneDrive for Mac – just drag them into Finder. You can do this from anywhere on your Mac, including the desktop, Documents, and Downloads. Here's how:

Step 1: Find the file you want to upload to OneDrive in Finder.

Step 2: Drag the file into OneDrive in Finder.

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Step 3: Let OneDrive sync your files. The icon next to the file name shows the sync status.

2. Upload from the menu bar

The OneDrive menu bar icon is another option for transferring files. You can upload files without using Finder by clicking its button in the menu bar. It also uploads screenshots and images from your camera. Learn how with these steps:

Step 1: Click the OneDrive status bar icon.

Step 2: Click on Upload a file.

Step 3: Choose the file from your Mac that you want to upload.

Step 4. Wait for the files to sync to OneDrive. The icon next to the file name shows the sync status.

Share files from OneDrive for Mac

Sharing files with others using OneDrive for Mac is easy and secure. You can share files by using a link or invite others to work on them together. Here's how:

1. Link Sharing

Sharing a link is an easy way to send data to anyone with the link. You can share any file or folder in OneDrive with a link through email, text, or another app. Each link can have its own unique permissions and expiration date. Here's how to link your files:

Step 1: Open Finder and locate the OneDrive file or folder you want to share.

Step 2: Right-click the file or folder, and then choose Share > Copy Link.

Step 3: The link has now been copied to your clipboard, and you can paste it wherever you'd like.

Step 4: Click “Manage access” to change the permissions or expiration date of the link.

Step 5: Choose who can view your link – anyone, only people in your organization, or specific people. You can allow editing of the link, prevent downloading, and set an expiration date.

Collaborative sharing

Collaborative sharing enables real-time collaboration on files with specific individuals. You can collaborate on a file by sending an email invitation or adding co-owners. You can chat with them and see their changes. Here's how you can let others help edit a file:

Step 1: Find the OneDrive file you want to share in Finder.

Step 2: Right-click the file and choose Share > Invite.

Step 3: Enter the recipient's email address and a message.

Step 4: Allow the invitee to edit or view only.

Step 5: Click “Send” to send the invitation.

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After reading this article, you should feel comfortable using OneDrive for Mac for online backups, syncing, and file sharing. We've discussed how to get OneDrive for Mac, set it up, install it, move files around in it, and how to share files. We've also shown you how to use the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool to restore any lost or corrupted OneDrive data on your Mac. This information should help you make the most of OneDrive for Mac.

Frequently asked questions about OneDrive for Mac

Here are three extra questions about OneDrive for Mac. See the answers here.

Can I use OneDrive on my Mac?

Yes, you can use OneDrive on your Mac after you install the OneDrive app.

How do I install OneDrive on my Mac?

On a Mac, you can access OneDrive from the Dock, the Menu Bar, or the Finder. If you're on a Mac, you can also download OneDrive from the OneDrive download page.

3. Is OneDrive the same as iCloud?

No, OneDrive is not the same as iCloud. OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage solution, while iCloud is Apple's offering.