Updated September 2026: in 2021, soon after moving to OneDrive, I was annoyed that on my Mac it created fixed folders and did not seem to let me choose which folders to back up. I have rewritten it into a short guide to controlling what OneDrive syncs and backs up on a Mac.
I chose OneDrive for affordability and Office apps, and I use a MacBook Pro for both work and personal files. After installing OneDrive, it created its own folder structure, and I could not see how to pick specific folders on my Mac to back up, as I could with other tools.
How does OneDrive decide what to sync on a Mac?
OneDrive syncs one folder on your Mac, the OneDrive folder, with your cloud storage. Anything inside it is synced; anything outside is not. That is why it feels like fixed folders: you organise files inside OneDrive rather than pointing it at folders elsewhere.
Can you back up Desktop and Documents?
Yes. Recent versions of the OneDrive app offer to back up the Mac's Desktop and Documents folders automatically, so files there are protected without moving them manually. Look in OneDrive's settings for the backup option.
Can you choose which folders download to the Mac?
- Use Files On-Demand, so cloud files appear on the Mac without taking space until opened.
- Mark folders as "always keep on this device" when you need them offline.
- Free up space on others to keep them cloud-only.
What about folders outside OneDrive?
Move them into the OneDrive folder if you want them synced. For folders that must stay in place, such as app libraries, use Time Machine or another backup tool instead.
How do you move existing folders into OneDrive safely?
Let OneDrive finish its first sync, then move one folder at a time and wait for it to upload before moving the next. Check that the files open from another device. Moving everything at once on a slow connection can leave you unsure which files have actually reached the cloud.
Is OneDrive a full Mac backup?
No. It syncs files, with version history for a limited time. For a complete backup of the Mac, including apps and settings, use Time Machine alongside it. Many people use both: OneDrive for access anywhere, Time Machine for recovery.
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