How to synchronise OneDrive with your Galaxy device

Last Update date : Mar 29. 2024

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud service that supports storing and sharing data such as photos and videos. You can synchronise content between devices that have OneDrive installed and download the files to your phone.

A person holding a Galaxy phone near a laptop and syncing the phone to OneDrive.

Note: When using all synchronisation functions, including OneDrive, data costs may be incurred depending on the network.

By syncing your images and videos to OneDrive, you can update them in real time and keep them safe across all your devices.

Gallery app home screen Gallery app home screen

Step 1. Open Gallery app > Select the Menu tab (3 horizontal lines).

Gallery menu options Gallery menu options

Step 2. Select Settings.

Gallery settings screen Gallery settings screen

Step 3. Select Sync with OneDrive.

*See note below.

Connect to Microsoft OneDrive screen Connect to Microsoft OneDrive screen

Step 4. Tap Continue.

Microsoft account login screen Microsoft account login screen

Step 5. Sign in.

Microsoft Connect your accounts permission screen Microsoft Connect your accounts permission screen

Step 6. Select Accept > Your Samsung account is now linked to OneDrive, and OneDrive is synced with your Gallery.

Gallery settings screen Gallery settings screen

Note: If your phone is linked to your Microsoft account but your Gallery is not synced with OneDrive, turn on Sync with OneDrive when you get to Gallery settings.

Along with individual files, you can also select the albums you want to synchronise with OneDrive.

Gallery app home screen Gallery app home screen

Step 1. To the Gallery app > Select the Menu tab (3 horizontal lines).

Gallery app menu options Gallery app menu options

Step 2. Select Settings.

Gallery settings screen Gallery settings screen

Step 3. Select Sync to OneDrive.

Note: Make sure the switch is on before you tap Sync with OneDrive.

Gallery sync with OneDrive screen Gallery sync with OneDrive screen

Step 4. Select Albums to sync.

Albums to sync screen Albums to sync screen

Step 5. Turn on the albums you want to synchronise. (Synchronisation will occur automatically.)

Just like with the Gallery app, you can also sync My Files with OneDrive.

Samsung apps home screen Samsung apps home screen

Step 1. Go to My Files.

My Files home screen My Files home screen

Step 2. Select OneDrive.

Microsoft account login screen Microsoft account login screen

Step 3. Sign into your Microsoft account and tap Next.

Microsoft asking if you tried to sign in to My Files Microsoft asking if you tried to sign in to My Files

Step 4. Select Continue.

OneDrive files screen with synced files OneDrive files screen with synced files

Step 5. My Files and OneDrive are now synchronised.

Individual files, like albums, that are located in the My Files app can be synchronised with the OneDrive app.

Samsung app home screen Samsung app home screen

Step 1. Go to the My Files app.

My Files app home screen My Files app home screen

Step 2. Select the category and folder your desired file is in.

Galaxy phone screen showing a file and the share option selected Galaxy phone screen showing a file and the share option selected

Step 3. Press and hold the file you want to synchronize with the OneDrive app > choose Share.

Pop up window showing app options for sharing the selected file Pop up window showing app options for sharing the selected file

Step 4. Select OneDrive.

Upload to OneDrive screen Upload to OneDrive screen

Step 5. Select a folder or tap the folder icon to create one > tap the checkmark to upload your file.

OneDrive makes downloading synced images, videos and other files onto multiple devices possible.

Galaxy phone's apps list Galaxy phone's apps list

Step 1. Open OneDrive app.

OneDrive initial home screen OneDrive initial home screen

Step 2. Select Photos tab.

OneDrive Photos screen OneDrive Photos screen

Step 3. Select the photos or videos you want to download to your phone and select Download (↓).

OneDrive Save to this location screen OneDrive Save to this location screen

Step 4. Select where (a folder) to save the files on your phone > Save.

Deleted photos and videos stored in OneDrive are temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin where you can choose to Restore the files.

Galaxy phone’s apps list Galaxy phone’s apps list

Step 1. Go to OneDrive.

OneDrive app home screen OneDrive app home screen

Step 2. Select Me.

OneDrive app Me screen OneDrive app Me screen

Step 3. Select Recycle bin.

OneDrive Recycle bin OneDrive Recycle bin

Step 4. Select photos or videos to restore > Tap the More icon (three vertical dots).

OneDrive Rubbish bin More options OneDrive Rubbish bin More options

Step 5. Select Restore > The file has been moved from the bin back to its original location.

  You can unlink your Microsoft account, which will in turn stop the sync between your phone and OneDrive.

Phone Settings home screen Phone Settings home screen

Step 1. Go to Settings > Select Samsung Account.

Samsung Account home screen Samsung Account home screen

Step 2. Select Linked accounts.

Linked accounts screen Linked accounts screen

Step 3. Locate Microsoft and tap the More icon (three vertical dots).

Linked accounts screen. Linked accounts screen.

Step 4. Tap Unlink.

Screen to confirm you want to Unlink. Screen to confirm you want to Unlink.

Step 5. Select Unlink to confirm.

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