Summary
- Microsoft is introducing a new Native Sync Engine for OneDrive on macOS to improve sync performance, reliability, responsiveness, and resource efficiency.
- Affected organizations are those with eligible Mac devices running the OneDrive sync app, including users syncing SharePoint Online document libraries.
- SharePoint library sync behavior in Finder will change so each synced library appears as a separate location in the Finder sidebar.
- No admin configuration is required, but IT should notify help desk staff and macOS users, and update internal documentation and training materials.
- Microsoft recommends using Add shortcut to OneDrive instead of SharePoint Sync for shared folders and document libraries.
OneDrive for macOS will adopt a new Native Sync Engine by late November 2026, enhancing sync speed, reliability, and resource efficiency. Synced SharePoint libraries appear separately in Finder. No admin action is required, but user notifications and documentation updates are recommended.
Microsoft 365 Message Center ID: MC1458483
Primary Service: OneDrive
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 31 Aug 2026
Release End: 30 Nov 2026
Last Modified: August 21, 2026
Category: Plan for change
Tags: New feature, User impact
Status: Launched
Products & Platforms: Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint
History
Updated August 24, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
8/21/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
We’re introducing a new Native Sync Engine for OneDrive on macOS. The redesigned engine integrates more closely with macOS to improve synchronization performance, reliability, responsiveness, and resource efficiency.
This update modernizes the OneDrive sync experience on Mac devices by reducing resource consumption, improving reliability, and making synced content more accessible in Finder.
Rollout schedule
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC-High, DoD): Rollout will begin in early September 2026 (previously late August) and is expected to complete by late November 2026.
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
Organizations with eligible macOS devices using the OneDrive sync app.
Platforms
- OneDrive for macOS, SharePoint Online document library sync.
Eligible macOS devices will automatically upgrade to the Native Sync Engine when they receive an updated version of the OneDrive sync app. Users can continue working in
OneDrive while the upgrade completes.
The Native Sync Engine provides the following improvements:
- Faster initial synchronization and processing of file changes.
- Reduced CPU, memory, and battery usage.
- Improved reliability through a simplified architecture that eliminates several classes of sync issues.
- Files and folders are immediately visible and browsable in Finder without waiting for folder contents to load.
- Improved support for storing OneDrive content on eligible external drives.
There is no change to Files On-Demand behavior. Online-only files remain online-only until users open them or select Always Keep on This Device.
Organizations that sync SharePoint document libraries will notice a change in Finder. Each synced SharePoint library will appear as a separate location in the Finder sidebar instead of being grouped under a single organization entry.
Add shortcut to OneDrive remains the recommended method for accessing shared content.
Action required / Recommendations
No administrative action is required.
We recommend that administrators:
- Notify help desk teams and macOS users about the Finder sidebar change for synced SharePoint libraries.
- Review and update any internal documentation or training materials that reference the current Finder navigation experience.
- Consider using Add shortcut to OneDrive instead of the SharePoint Sync command for shared folders and document libraries.
- If your organization has broadly adopted folder shortcuts, consider hiding the SharePoint Sync button.
To determine whether a device is using the Native Sync Engine, open OneDrive Settings and review the version shown on the About tab. Versions that include an alphabetic suffix, such as (26K), are using the Native Sync Engine.
For more information:
- Making Mac OneDrive Faster and More Reliable
- Add shortcuts to shared folders in OneDrive