Microsoft OneDrive is one of the most well-known cloud storage solutions on the market. However, customers have occasionally asked and desired to stop the app from automatically syncing their data or files. Because of the many reasons, they required a guide to tell them how to disable it. They simply needed to ensure that the data, photos, or files saved in the app are the correct ones and not any incorrect ones that would take up space in their storage.
That is why this article aims to provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the issue raised by other users. We’ll go over why and how to disable OneDrive sync on your computer, Mac, Android, and iPhone devices. Continue reading to find the solution to your query and the steps you need to do to entirely stop the OneDrive app from auto-syncing undesirable items on your device.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PREVENT ONEDRIVE FROM SYNCING?
- OneDrive continues to sync your files as a cloud backup, but with little progress; it appears to never finish.
- When syncing, you may select the incorrect items.
- OneDrive has been syncing files that you do not want it to.
HOW TO STOP THE ONEDRIVE ANDROID APP FROM AUTOMATICALLY SYNCING CAMERA PHONE PHOTOS
- The following solutions apply to all types of devices; simply follow all of the solutions and steps outlined below to successfully disable Onedrive auto-syncing.
Solution #1: Pause OneDrive Sync Temporarily
Apple Mac:
- In the macOS menu bar at the top, select the OneDrive symbol.
- Select Help & Settings.
- Select the duration by clicking Pause Syncing.
- For the duration specified, all syncing will be suspended.
Solution #2: Disable OneDrive syncing.
- If you want to stop OneDrive from syncing immediately, you can do so by exiting it.
- Simply select “Quit OneDrive” from the additional pop-up menu above.
- Then, OneDrive will be closed and all currently running tasks will be terminated.
Solution#3: Uncheck All Folders
- Select Help & Settings from the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
- Choose Settings.
- Select the Account option.
- Choose Folders from the menu.
- To prevent OneDrive from synchronizing anything from the cloud to your PC, click the Choose Folders box and uncheck everything.
For Apple Mac:
- Select Help & Settings from the OneDrive icon.
- Choose Preferences
- Choose Folders from the Account tab.
- To prevent OneDrive from synchronizing back to the Mac, click the Choose Folders icon and deselect everything.
Solution#4: Disable Network Connection
- In the Taskbar, click the Network icon.
- Select Flight Mode.
- This will immediately disconnect your computer’s internet connectivity and cease OneDrive sync.
Apple Mac:
- Select the Wi-Fi icon from the menu bar on macOS-based Apple devices and toggle it off.
- Toggle it back on and repeat this process.
Solution#5: Hide OneDrive
- Right-click on OneDrive in Windows Explorer and select Properties.
- Check Hidden in the pop-up OneDrive Properties window’s General tab.
- To save and exit, click OK.
- Finally, shutdown OneDrive from the system tray icon to end syncing.
Solution#6: Unlinking the Device
Windows:
- Select Help & Settings from the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
- Select Settings.
- Select Account
- Unlink This PC and agree to disconnect the PC and cease OneDrive sync.
Mac:
- In the macOS menu bar, click the OneDrive icon and then select Help & Settings.
- Select Preferences.
- Click Account
- Unlink This Mac and confirm to unlink and terminate OneDrive sync on Mac. If you wish to resume syncing, you must sign in again.
Solution#7: Uninstall OneDrive From Android and iPhone
On Android:
- Tap and hold the OneDrive app symbol on your Android home screen or the app launcher, and then drag it a little bit.
- At the top, you’ll find two options: Remove and Uninstall.
- To uninstall OneDrive on Android and deactivate OneDrive sync on Android, drag the icon to Uninstall.
On iPhone:
- On your iPhone’s springboard, tap and hold the OneDrive symbol.
- Contextual menus will appear. Tap the Remove button.
- There is an additional confirmation on iOS 14 to keep the app in the library or to delete it.
- To confirm, press the Delete button.
Conclusion: Whatever position you are in, or in other comparable situations where you need to stop syncing to OneDrive, you may find instructions on how to do so. Follow the solutions listed above to get the settings you desire in your OneDrive app.