duplicate files with the number 2 after it

The duplicate folders with “2” after the name are typically caused by sync conflicts or by having more than one OneDrive instance/configuration on the Mac after migration.

Use these steps to stop the duplication and clean it up.

1. Check for two OneDrive versions on the Mac

• On the menu bar, select the OneDrive cloud icon.
• If a message appears saying the same account is syncing on another version of OneDrive, follow these steps:
  1. In the sync window, select Show in Finder in that message.
  2. A Finder window opens at /Library/CloudStorage.
  3. Double‑click each OneDrive folder shown there.
  4. At the top of each Finder window, look for a banner with a Delete button.
     • If a banner with Delete appears on one of them, select Delete to remove that folder. This is the old OneDrive instance left over from migration.
  5. If no banner appears on any folder:
     • Open OneDrive Preferences from the menu bar icon.
     • Go to the Account tab and select Unlink this Mac.
     • Exit OneDrive.
     • Delete OneDrive from Applications.
     • Reinstall OneDrive (either from the Mac App Store or from OneDrive.com).
     • Start OneDrive and sign in again.

2. Clear cached credentials on the Mac Clearing cached credentials can stop OneDrive from creating duplicate items with modified names.
3. Open Spotlight, type Keychain Access, and open it (or open it from Applications > Utilities).
4. In Keychain Access, search for OneDrive.
5. Delete the entry named OneDrive Cached Credential.
6. Start OneDrive again and sign in if prompted.
7. Re-link OneDrive cleanly After clearing credentials, ensure the Mac is linked to a single, correct OneDrive folder.
8. Use Spotlight to open OneDrive.
9. Sign in.
10. When prompted that a OneDrive folder already exists, choose Use this folder (unless intentionally moving it).
11. Allow OneDrive to complete a full sync.
12. Handle existing duplicate folders Once only one OneDrive instance is running and sync is healthy:

• In Finder, compare the original and the “2” folders.
• Decide which copy to keep (for example, the one with the latest changes).
• Delete the unwanted duplicate from the OneDrive folder in Finder (it will also be removed from OneDrive online and other devices), or move it outside the OneDrive folder if it should remain only on the Mac.

If sync conflicts continue, rename frequently edited folders/files to unique names to reduce conflicts.

References:

• Why do I have two versions of OneDrive on my Mac?
• Duplicate files in OneDrive
• Fix OneDrive sync problems on Mac
• The file or folder already exists in OneDrive
• Restrictions and limitations in OneDrive and SharePoint