URGENT HELP PLEASE: onedrive and Mac unsync, lost all files adn won't let me restore onedrive.

Elena Keane 0 Reputation points
2026-09-25T18:33:08.8033333+00:00

Hello, please give me some urgent help!

I am not good with computers. have been having unnecessary issues with my Mac storage and was advised by google to unlink my Mac and onedrive, google said the files on both ends would be left intact and accessible. I have also never been able to access onedrive through the app, it just redirects to safari. This is not the case. All of the files in my Mac were moved to trash. When I try to open them they're essentially empty/corrupt and won't open, but in finder have sizes next to them. All of the content is gone and they're essentially ghost files. I have been trying to restore my one drive for 3 weeks now. I keep getting constant issues in trying to restore the onedrive and keep being unable to do so. Issues range from being unable to verify my identity, not letting me enable my personal vault, not being able to log in, not being able to access the recycle bin, being unable to select the files if using custom restore my one drive, and if using the last 3 weeks, it not working because I can't verify my personal vault. I have been going round in loops for 3 weeks and am very aware that in this situation, onedrive will only hold onto my files for 30 days. Absolutely everything I have is gone - I am a masters student and use my computer a lot. I desperately need help in getting this back. Like I said I keep going round in circles and am desperate for some help before time runs out.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | MacOS
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-09-25T18:33:29.57+00:00
    1. First, check whether the files still exist in OneDrive on the web. Open OneDrive in a browser and sign in. If the files are there, they can usually be downloaded even if the Mac app is failing.
    2. Check the OneDrive recycle bin on the web immediately.
      • In OneDrive, select Recycle bin.
      • Select the files or folders and choose Restore.
      • For personal accounts, deleted files or folders can be restored within the last 30 days.
      • Files that were permanently deleted from the OneDrive recycle bin cannot be restored.
    3. Also check the Mac Trash.
      • Open Trash.
      • Select the files or folders.
      • Right-click and choose Put back.
      • This restores them to their original folder.
      • Note: files deleted from the cloud, including online-only files, do not appear in the Mac Trash. Those must be restored from the OneDrive web recycle bin.
    4. If the OneDrive app on Mac is not working correctly, re-link it.
      • Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the Mac menu bar.
      • Go to Help & Settings > Preferences > Account.
      • Select Unlink this Mac.
      • Open Keychain Access and search for OneDrive.
      • Delete OneDrive Cached Credential.
      • Open OneDrive again from Spotlight.
      • When prompted that a folder already exists, select Use this folder.
      • OneDrive will sync files back to the Mac. It may take time because placeholders are recreated first.
    5. If files appear missing in Finder or Office recent lists on macOS, check the new OneDrive folder location.
      • Open Finder.
      • Browse to Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive.
      • On macOS 12.1 and later, OneDrive moved there, and old shortcuts or recent-file links may point to the wrong location.
      • If Office AutoSave stopped working, use File > Save As and choose the new OneDrive folder location.
    6. If sync is still broken, update or reset OneDrive.
      • Install the latest OneDrive version if needed.
      • If necessary, reset OneDrive. Resetting disconnects existing sync connections, but the documented behavior is that files and data on the computer are not lost; OneDrive performs a full sync afterward.
    7. If web restore keeps failing and the account is personal, use Microsoft support directly from the support flow for technical help.
      • For technical support, use Contact Microsoft Support.
      • Mobile users can also open the OneDrive app and shake the device to contact support.

    Most important immediate path:

    • Check OneDrive on the web for the files.
    • Check OneDrive Recycle bin.
    • Check Mac Trash.
    • Re-link OneDrive using Use this folder.
    • In Finder, look in Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.