Try these steps in order:
- Go to the OneDrive website at https://www.onedrive.com and sign in.
- Use Search everything at the top.
- Search by more than just the filename: try descriptions, tags, dates, or places.
- If using mobile, use a Private or Incognito window so the app does not open instead.
- Check the Recycle bin on the left side of the OneDrive website.
- If the file is there, select it and choose Restore.
- On Mac, also check the local Trash.
- Check Personal Vault.
- Files stored in Personal Vault do not appear in search results.
- In the recycle bin, select Show Personal Vault items to unlock and view them if needed.
- Make sure the correct Microsoft account is being used.
- If the file was saved while another account was signed in, sign out and sign in with that other account.
- If both personal OneDrive and work/school OneDrive are used, the file may be in the other account.
- Look on the Mac itself.
- Use Finder to search for the file.
- If the file was saved outside OneDrive, or the Mac had not synced yet, it may still be stored locally.
- Check the Mac Trash.
- If many files changed or disappeared recently and there is a Microsoft 365 subscription, use Restore your OneDrive.
- This can restore the entire OneDrive to a previous point in time within the last 30 days.
- Warning: files or folders created after the restore point are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
- If the files still are not found:
- For personal accounts, support agents cannot access the files and cannot provide more help than the listed guidance.
- Keep trying different filename spellings, descriptions, and locations.
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