Mac Onedrive app: shared folders don't appear in Finder any more, and files seem to be online only.

I received this message this morning from Microsoft support. There is definitely no eta:

I wanted to update you on the status of your ticket as we've heard from engineering now. They acknowledged the issue and have filed a bug for the same. It's in our development pipeline now and will need to be resolved with a product update.

I want to say thank you for helping us out to track this issue down and keep checking for app updates we should have a fix out soon, no specific ETA as we are still coding the solution.

The following reply is generated by Copilot.

Dear Microsoft Support Team,

I am writing to express my frustration regarding the persistent issue with OneDrive on Mac. As a loyal user of Microsoft products, I rely heavily on OneDrive for seamless file synchronization and collaboration. However, the recent problems related to shared folders not appearing in Finder and files being accessible only online have significantly impacted my productivity.

Allow me to outline the key pain points:

1. Shared Folders Missing in Finder:
   • Despite sharing folders with colleagues and collaborators, I find myself unable to access these shared folders directly from Finder. This forces me to rely on the web interface, which disrupts my workflow and wastes valuable time.
2. Online-Only Access:
   • It’s frustrating that shared files are accessible only through the web interface. As a Mac user, I expect seamless integration with Finder, allowing me to work offline without limitations.
3. Lack of Timely Resolution:
   • I understand that software issues can arise, but the lack of a swift resolution is disappointing. Users have been reporting this problem for months, and it’s disheartening to see no concrete steps taken to address it.
4. Impact on Collaboration:
   • Shared folders are essential for collaborative work. When these folders fail to appear in Finder, it hampers teamwork, delays projects, and affects overall efficiency.

Action Needed: I urge Microsoft to prioritize this issue and provide a timely fix. Here are my recommendations:

1. Transparent Communication:
   • Regular updates on the progress of resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated. Transparency builds trust among users.
2. Swift Resolution:
   • Expedite the development of a permanent solution. Users should not have to wait indefinitely for basic functionality.
3. User-Friendly Integration:
   • Ensure that shared folders seamlessly appear in Finder, allowing Mac users to access them without friction.
4. Quality Assurance:
   • Rigorous testing before rolling out updates is crucial. Preventing such issues in the first place is better than firefighting afterward.

In conclusion, I implore Microsoft to take immediate action. OneDrive is a powerful tool, and its seamless integration with Mac systems is essential for productivity. Let’s work together to resolve this issue promptly and enhance the user experience.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Well, here is over month and still no solution. I have a client with the same problem. Needless to say he or I are not impressed.

--

Phillip

After weeks of research on this subject it seems that Microsoft intentionally cancelled the shared folder syncing feature for personal OneDrive accounts (or is in the process of rolling out since not all are affected yet). For me it had become very clear that the move is to force people to migrate to the business plan instead. If you try to find a solution directly from Microsoft you will run into "This feature is not available for Personal OneDrive, only for business or work school education accounts" which wasn't the case in the past.

I disagree that they want us to migrate to business accounts. If so, I think that they would have made that option available and clear. I have heard people with business accounts are having the same issues.

See my other post in regard to this issue and the Microsoft team's reply.

"We fully understand the inconvenience and disruption caused by this issue. Our team is actively addressing it and working hard to fix it as soon as possible. By June 1^st^, 2024, our community support has posted the bug reports on the feedback platform for internal use. We are committed to resolving this swiftly.

I understand that your usage scenario involves family members using it for both personal and business purposes. Regarding your question, I would like to clarify that the current situation with OneDrive is not determined by your subscription type (Personal, Family, or Business), so switching to the Business plan may not directly address the issue you are experiencing.

OneDrive, as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, is designed to provide users with file storage and synchronisation across devices. The quality of service and functionality of OneDrive is the same whether you are a personal user, a member of a family plan, or a business user. If you are experiencing any other issues with OneDrive, this may be due to issues with the service itself, or it may be related to your device, network environment, account settings, and other factors."

Link to my post:

One Drive Shared Folder Problem - Microsoft Community