Sync issue between iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 18.3.1) and OneDrive app

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Mareza90 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sync issue between iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 18.3.1) and OneDrive app

Hi,

As a OneDrive family user, with a brand new 16 Pro device, I can't establish sync between the phone and OneDrive app.

I've tried with other accounts, but nothing, the issue is still reproducible.

All files that were previously uploaded can be seen on the phone, but, newly uploaded unfortunately no.

I have contacted Microsoft support, we tried every possible solution but with no luck.

Maybe somebody here has the solution.

Link to the Microsoft ticket:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/iphone-16-pro-sync-issue-with-the-one-drive/855c4143-ecd1-4f2f-a212-b50249343a77?messageId=6f3776bf-eff2-40c5-a2b9-4037204b005a

I even wrote to the OneDrive support forum, but they are quite slow with the response on any matter that involves the OneDrive software.

Thanks.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 7:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Level 10

432,030 points

Feb 18, 2025 11:57 PM in response to Mareza90

Microsoft OneDrive for iPhone does not offer real-time sync for photos and videos in the same way that iCloud does. Instead, it provides backup functionality, which means that:

Photos and videos are uploaded to OneDrive but do not stay in continuous two-way sync with the local Photos app. If you delete a photo from OneDrive, it does not remove it from your iPhone, and vice versa.
Background backup works, but it depends on iOS restrictions, meaning uploads may pause when the app is closed or in low-power mode.

For file syncing:

The OneDrive app integrates with the iPhone's Files app, allowing access to OneDrive files like a regular folder.
True file sync happens in the Files app and OneDrive folder, meaning changes to documents or files are updated as long as there is a stable internet connection.

So, while photos and videos can be backed up, they do not sync continuously between OneDrive and the iPhone's Photos app.

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Answer 2

Mareza90 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 19, 2025 1:29 AM in response to SravanKrA

Hi Mr. SravanKra,

Thank you for your detailed response.

As a former Android user, my thoughts were that OneDrive should automatically back up photos and videos from the phone, whenever a stable ethernet connection is achieved without my interaction.

This feature works on Android devices since, before the actual upload/sync, the phone user needs to give access to the end folder which the OneDrive app will look at for any kind of new files e.g. 'Pictures' or 'Videos' and then an upload will start.

I'm not sure how to do this on the iPhone since the phone has a dedicated 'Photos' app that will store files inside of it, and not in any kind of file folder.

I have tried the 'Files' steps, but this doesn't work as expected.

Only one 'file' at a time can be uploaded and synced via OneDrive.

I've tried multiple photos and videos (bulk) to 'paste' into a dedicated folder inside the OneDrive main folder but unfortunately, none of the files has been pasted and synced.

I'm switching to the iCloud option for seamless synchronization.

Thanks,

Marko

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Answer 3

Feb 24, 2025 11:40 AM in response to Mareza90

There seems to be several issues with One Drive and iOS 18.

I have a lot of trouble sending/attaching a file from onedrive to an email. Also issues saving files from an email to a onedrive folder.

odd is that it works fine on my Mac

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Sync issue between iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 18.3.1) and OneDrive app

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