Level 1

21 points

Onedrive Content Unavailable in iPad Files app

I had been using the iPad Files app successfully until recently. Now when I try to access Onedrive using the Files app I often Receive the message “Content Unavailable The folder contents could not be accessed due to an unknown error.” This is new over the last week or so. The files app still works on my iPhone. I have restarted the iPad, the iPadOS is up-to-date, I have uninstalled and reinstalled the Onedrive app. I have seen comments from others with the same issue but have not seen any resolution. Anyone have any ideas?

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi

Posted on Jul 5, 2020 7:54 AM

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Azterix1984

Level 1

16 points

Posted on Jul 30, 2020 4:31 PM

Here is the solution: the issue seems to be related to the “Sorting” feature (see video link below). When you are on OneDrive or Google Drive and you Sort the files by either Name, Size, Kind, or Tags, and then you leave the Files App, it stays on that sorting option you last used, and for some reason it won’t recognize the files on those apps the next time you try to access them again, and that’s why gives you the error message. To bypass this issue, do the following: (see video link)

1) - In the Sorting options select Name. Make sure it is in alphabetical order, because the opposite won’t work. (This will not work until you apply step 2)

2) - Go back and Tap again on either OneDrive or Google Drive, and it should now recognize your files again.

I hope this helps. It works for both iPad and iPhone. Hopefully the engineers that have been telling us that nothing is wrong with their apps, will someday figure it out and solve the problem. But at least you can now work around it.

VIDEO https://youtu.be/5CPomVQ28yI

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43 replies

wmbarryd Author

Level 1

21 points

Jul 26, 2020 1:51 PM in response to wmbarryd

I was using my iPad today and the files app is once again working with OneDrive. I didn’t take any new action so I don’t know if there was an app update or not. I’ll be interested to see what happens as it did use to work and continued to work on my iPhone.

SRB NY

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2020 1:54 PM in response to wmbarryd

On my iPhone today, I still get the same issue: The list of my files flashes on the screen, then I get Content Unavailable. The folder contents could not be displayed because of an unknown error. Try again. And the Try Again (in blue) repeats the flash of the list and then this message.

Jul 27, 2020 5:32 AM in response to goodoa

@goodoa I tried your suggestion this morning on my iPhone and it worked!!! Going to try it on the iPad as well. Hopefully it continues to work and doesn't just stop for no reason like the last time.

Thank you!!!

Sep 8, 2020 2:24 PM in response to wmbarryd

Hi,

I recently started having the same issue with my iPad 11” Pro 2020 model with Dropbox within the Files app. The Dropbox app works perfectly fine, as does the iPhone Files app when accessing Dropbox. This began randomly after months of working. How do we fix this Apple?

wmbarryd Author

Level 1

21 points

Jul 5, 2020 9:28 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Everything works fine from within the OneDrive app on the iPad.

Jul 5, 2020 10:09 AM in response to wmbarryd

I don't really know what else I can suggest. OneDrive works well from inside the Files app or OneDrive app on my iPad Pro 11 2018.

wmbarryd Author

Level 1

21 points

Jul 5, 2020 10:46 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks for the input. It was working well for me up until the last week or so and continues to work fine on my iPhone just not my 11" iPad Pro.

Jul 7, 2020 11:59 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Negative on that one.

I tried it, no luck.

Jul 12, 2020 7:23 AM in response to SRB NY

Your issue may be completely different since by your own admission you are using Beta software. Beta software cannot be discussed on this forum however.

SRB NY

Level 1

23 points

Jul 12, 2020 7:41 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Ciao.

Jul 16, 2020 8:27 AM in response to wmbarryd

Google Drive was hit and miss for me as well, but you're correct Dropbox is not experiencing the same limitations within the files app. So I'm not sure whether it's an Apple problem or Microsoft.

Jul 23, 2020 5:12 AM in response to madamwest

Nothing...no word from Apple. I’ve sent logs, screen recordings etc.

SRB NY

Level 1

23 points

Jul 27, 2020 5:49 AM in response to VasiliosG

Will try as well. Just disappointed to have to go through losing all those settings that also will clear.....

Jul 27, 2020 9:08 AM in response to goodoa

So I did the reset it worked for a few hours now getting the same error contents not available and the quick flash of the screen briefly displaying the contents.

SRB NY

Level 1

23 points

Jul 27, 2020 9:12 AM in response to VasiliosG

Sorry to hear that--but glad you reported before I scrubbed my settings!

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Onedrive Content Unavailable in iPad Files app