Setting up OneDrive backups on your Mac

If you want to set up OneDrive to back up your Desktop and Documents folders on your Mac, below are some instructions on how to get signed in and enable the automatic backup.

Open Applications folder, locate OneDrive, and double click to open.

screenshot of the applications window on a Mac with the OneDrive app circled

OneDrive will begin first run setup. The OneDrive login screen may take some time to open on the first run. Once it does, log in with your gatorlink@ufl.edu.

screenshot of the OneDrive window showing the login field and buttons to create an account or to sign in

You will be automatically redirected to a UF log in page. Enter your gatorlink username and password, don’t forget the 2-factor prompt.

screenshot of the UF SSO window and a screenshot of Duo 2-factor prompt window

Once authenticated, the OneDrive app will reopen, click Next until you reach the Finish Setting Up screen. When you click Next here, another window will open, requesting permission to begin syncing.  Click OK.

screenshot of the OneDrive window showing the "next" button along wtih another screenshot showing the popup window asking for permission to sync

Your OneDrive folder will open, along with a notification that OneDrive will open upon log in.

screenshot of a desktop page showing the OneDrive folde open, along with a notification that OneDrive will open upon log in circled in the top right corner.

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in your Menu Bar, then the Gear Icon & Preferences.

screenshot of the OneDrive cloud icon circled in the top desktop Menu Bar as well as the Gear Icon & Preferences

In the Preferences window, select Backup, then Manage Backup.  If you wish to save your screenshots to OneDrive, tick the box at the bottom of the window.

screenshot of the backup windown along with the backup icon circled

To modify folders that are synced to OneDrive, click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Menu Bar, select Preferences, Account, then Manage Folders.

screenshot of the account window open along with the account icon underlined as well as the "choose folders" button underlined

Select or deselect as needed for your use case.

screenshot of the onedrive window showing all options checked as an example

To check your backup of Desktop and Documents, click the cloud icon for OneDrive in your Menu Bar, Preferences, Backup, Manage Backup.  You will see the confirmation window confirming the status.

screenshot of onedrive window showing the desktop and documents folders checked along with a button to "start backup"

Success!  If you run into any problems, contact PHHP-IT by emailing support@phhp.ufl.edu.