There are two basic ways that you, as an admin, can deploy the OneDrive sync app to Mac users in your organization:
Mac Mail App Add Exchange Account
Have users install and set up the OneDrive sync app themselves by following the instructions in Sync files with OneDrive on Mac OS X. To install the OneDrive sync app for Mac, a user has to be administrator on the Mac or know an administrator account name and password.
Download the installer package file to your local network, and then use your software distribution tools to deploy the app to your users. By using a software distribution tool, you have more control over the deployment, including which users get the sync app and when. The OneDrive sync app for Mac uses the Apple Installer technology for installation. This means you can use the software distribution tools that you normally use to deploy software to Mac users. You can use Microsoft Intune. Other common tools are Jamf Pro, Munki, and AutoPkg. You can also use Apple Remote Desktop and AppleScript.
Manage OneDrive settings on macOS using property list (Plist) files
The sync app lets you sync files from your OneDrive for work or school and even from SharePoint sites if your admin enabled it. (If you're the IT admin for your organization, see Enable users to sync SharePoint files with the new OneDrive sync app.) Note: To use the sync app to sync your work files, you need a Microsoft 365 business account.
- Unlike iOS, the Mail app in OS X does not currently support Exchange ActiveSync. Exchange ActiveSync is different from the standard Exchange format. A mail client that.
- Add or remove email accounts in Mail on Mac. Use the Mail app to send, receive, and manage email for all of your email accounts in one location. Simply add the accounts—such as iCloud, Exchange, Google, school, work, or other—you want to use in Mail.
- MS licensed apple to us active sync on iOS not on the mac. Google used to use active sync for push on gmail but recently turned that off because they had to pay MS for it. This is why unless you are grandfathered in, if you connect to gmail with iOS you can't get pushes.
After the OneDrive sync app for Mac is installed, users can configure settings for the app. These settings are called preferences. As an admin, you might want to provide users in your organization with a standard set of preferences. Preferences for the OneDrive sync app for Mac are stored in preference files. These files are often referred to as .plist files.
| Standalone | Mac App Store | |
|---|---|---|
| PList Location | ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.OneDrive.plist | ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac/Data/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac.plist |
| Domain | com.microsoft.OneDrive | com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac |
Configure sync app settings
Configure the settings on macOS in the typical way:
Quit the OneDrive application.
Define the settings you want to change by creating a Plist with the values, or use a script to set the default values.
Deploy the settings onto the local computer.
Refresh the preferences cache.
On the next start of OneDrive, the new settings will be picked up.
Overview of settings
Use the following keys to preconfigure or change settings for your users. The keys are the same whether you run the standalone or Mac App Store edition of the sync app, but the property list file name and domain name will be different. When you apply the settings, make sure to target the appropriate domain depending on the edition of the sync app.
| Setting | Description | Parameters | Example Plist Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable personal accounts | Blocks users from signing in and syncing files in personal OneDrive accounts. If this key is set after a user has set up sync with a personal account, the user will be signed out. | DisablePersonalSync (Bool): When set to true, this parameter prevents users from adding or syncing personal accounts. | <key>DisablePersonalSync</key> <(Bool)/> |
| Default folder location | Specifies the default location of the OneDrive folder for each organization | TenantID (String): TenantID determines which accounts the default folder location setting should apply to. Find your Microsoft 365 tenant ID DefaultFolderPath (String): DefaultFolder specifies the default folder location. Mac App Store: The path must already exist when users set up the sync app. Standalone: The path will be created on users' computers if it doesn't already exist. Only with the Standalone sync app can you prevent users from changing the location. | <key>DefaultFolder <array> <dict> <key>Path <string>(DefaultFolderPath)</string> <key>TenantId <string>(TenantID)</string> </dict> </array> |
| Automatic upload bandwidth percentage | Enables the sync app to automatically set the amount of bandwidth used based on available bandwidth for uploading files | AutomaticUploadBandwidthPercentage (int): This parameter determines the percentage of local upload bandwidth that the sync app can use. Accepted values are from 1 through 99. | <key>AutomaticUploadBandwidthPercentage</key> <int>(Bandwidth)</int> |
| Set maximum upload throughput | Sets the maximum upload throughput rate in kilobytes (KB)/sec for computers running the OneDrive sync app | UploadBandwidthLimited (int): This parameter determines the upload throughput in KB/sec that the sync app can use. The minimum rate is 50 KB/sec and the maximum rate is 100,000 KB/sec. | <key>UploadBandwidthLimited</key> <int>(Upload Throughput Rate in KB/sec)</int> |
| Set maximum download throughput | Sets the maximum download throughput rate in kilobytes (KB)/sec for computers running the OneDrive sync app | DownloadBandwidthLimited (int): This parameter determines the download throughput in KB/sec that the sync app can use. The minimum rate is 50 KB/sec and the maximum rate is 100,000 KB/sec. | <key>DownloadBandwidthLimited</key> <int>(Download Throughput Rate in KB/sec)</int> |
| Dock icon | Specifies whether a dock icon for OneDrive is shown | HideDockIcon (Bool): When set to true, this parameter hides the OneDrive dock icon even when the application is running. | <key>HideDockIcon</key> <(Bool)/> |
| Open at login | Specifies whether OneDrive starts automatically when the user logs in | OpenAtLogin (Bool): When set to true, OneDrive will start automatically when the user logs in on the Mac. | <key>OpenAtLogin</key> <(Bool)/> |
| Enable Files On-Demand | Specifies whether Files On-Demand is enabled. If you don't set this setting, Files On-Demand will be enabled automatically as we roll out the feature, and users can turn the setting on or off | FilesOnDemandEnabled (Bool): When set to true, new users who set up the sync app will download online-only files by default. When set to false, Files On-Demand will be disabled and users won't be able to turn it on. | <key>FilesOnDemandEnabled</key> <(Bool)/> |
| Disable download toasts | Prevents toasts from appearing when applications cause file contents to be downloaded | DisableHydrationToast (Bool): When set to true, toasts will not appear when applications trigger the download of file contents. | <key>DisableHydrationToast</key> <(Bool)/> |
| Block apps from downloading online-only files | Prevents applications from automatically downloading online-only files. You can use this setting to lock down applications that don't work correctly with your deployment of Files On-Demand. | HydrationDisallowedApps (String): Json in the following format [{'ApplicationId':'appId','MaxBundleVersion':'1.1','MaxBuildVersion':'1.0'}]'AppID' can be either the BSD process name or the bundle display name. MaxBuildVersion denotes the maximum build version of the application that will be blocked. MaxBundleVersion denotes the maximum bundle version of the application that will be blocked | <key>HydrationDisallowedApps </key> <string> [{'ApplicationId':'appId','MaxBundleVersion':'1.1','MaxBuildVersion':'1.0'}, {'ApplicationId':'appId2','MaxBundleVersion':'3.2','MaxBuildVersion':'2.0'}]</string><(Bool)/> |
| SharePoint Server Front Door URL | Specifies the SharePoint Server 2019 on-premises URL that the OneDrive sync app should try to authenticate and sync against | SharePointOnPremFrontDoorUrl (string): The URL of the on-premises SharePoint Server. | <key>SharePointOnPremFrontDoorUrl</key> <string>https://Contoso.SharePoint.com</string> |
| SharePoint Server Tenant Name | Specifies the name of the folder created for syncing the SharePoint Server 2019 files specified in the Front Door URL. | SharePointOnPremTenantName (string): The name that will be used when creating a folder to sync the on-premises SharePoint Server files. If specified, the folder names will take the form of: OneDrive – TenantName TenantName If not specified, the folder names will use the first segment of the FrontDoorURL as the Tenant Name. Example - https://Contoso.SharePoint.com will use Contoso as the Tenant Name | <key>SharePointOnPremTenantName</key> <string>Contoso</string> |
| SharePoint OnPrem Prioritization | For hybrid scenarios where the email is the same for both SharePoint Server on-premises and SharePoint in Microsoft 365, determines whether or not the client should set up sync for SharePoint Server or SharePoint in Microsoft 365 first during the first-run scenario. | SharePointOnPremPrioritizationPolicy (int): This parameter determines which service to attempt to authenticate against for setting up sync. 1 indicates OneDrive should set up SharePoint Server on-premises first, followed by SharePoint in Microsoft 365. | <key>SharePointOnPremPrioritizationPolicy</key> <int>(0 or 1)</int> |
| BlockExternalSync | Prevents the sync app from syncing libraries and folders shared from other organizations. | BlockExternalSync (Bool): Set to true to prevent syncing OneDrive and SharePoint libraries and folders from organizations other than the user's own organization. Set to false or do not include the setting to allow. Learn about OneDrive B2B Sync. | <key>BlockExternalSync</key> <(Bool)/> |
You can also configure the OneDrive Standalone sync app to receive delayed updates.
| PList Location | ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.OneDriveUpdater.plist |
| Domain | com.microsoft.OneDriveUpdater |
| Setting | Description | Parameters | Example Plist Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Defines the update ring for the computer | UpdateRing (String): This parameter has two different values. Production - The default update ring for OneDrive updates. Insiders - This update ring receives updates that are 'pre-production' and will allow you to play with features before they are released. Note that builds from this ring may be less stable. Enterprise - This update ring (now called 'Deferred') receives updates after they have rolled out through the Production ring. It also lets you control the deployment of updates. For more info about the update rings and how the sync app checks for updates, see The OneDrive sync app update process. | <key>Tier</key> <string>(UpdateRing)</string> |
Since the Mac OS X Yosemite Preview version released, many Mac users can't wait to upgrade their system to the new Yosemite. While this new Mac OS X Yosemite might come with some possible problems that frustrate Mac users. Read on before you upgrade to OS X Yosemite.
1 Dark Mode & Looks
Yosemite offers the Dark Mode option that changes the outlook of menu bar and Dock from the white appearance to translucent black material. While some of the users found the Dark Mode option quite appealing, a large part of the Mac users found the looks bland and unappealing. Users found the option being quite primitive with the toggle on or off by a check box feature in the System Preferences. Moreover, changing the system settings in Dark Mode is not exposed in normal API.
The review of the users towards Mac Yosemite's 'Dark Mode' option is pretty bad. They literally termed it as one of the terrible screen display feature. The users did not find the display fonts appropriate and the display setting by 'Dark Mode' option is unattractive on the 'non-Retina' display. The users feel that the sophisticated Mac display if replaced with the latest Mac Yosemite OS X makes the appearance more complicated and plain that looks like an amateur drawing rather than the renowned Apple Mac desktop.
2 Bugs & Issues
Many of the Mac users have been getting the message of 'This Code has already been redeemed' before downloading the Yosemite. This has turned out to be a large-scale error and frustrate the users. The error appears in the App Store while redeeming the Yosemite Beta Code. There have been many bug issues when working with the Apple's new OS X with the users and this is one of them.
The bugs include poor management of dual iTunes accounts, crashes in Activity Monitor, making and receiving calls with the FaceTime app, and unreliable WiFi connections. Some users also face problems with safari as it crashes the moment one opens it. Apps like Final Cut Pro X, Aperture, iMovie and many more Apple apps seems like are not compatible with the new OS X and crash any moment. Many of the users also face the problem in the storage section of 'About my Mac', where they are unable to view the original disk space and the folder shows a file created by the name of 'Others' that is created on its own without the knowledge of the user.
Mac Mail Activesync
3 Gmail and Mail Bug Problems
Many users have been complaining about the Gmail and Mail sync bug problems. The Gmail and mail bug is the most common one that is experienced by the frustrated Mac users. First, there is the problem of synchronizing Gmail and Mail app with the new Yosemite OS X. If by chance it synchronizes with your Mac, then the apps might slow down or crash the moment you open them. No new emails or messages are displayed in the app while it is open.
Many users found that when they were scrolling the mail app, it randomly quit scrolling and they had to reopen the Mail app to enable the scrolling yet again. The most frustrating bug in the Gmail app is when the users try to delete a message in the mail, not after long it reappears unexpectedly. The message disappears for only a temporary short time. If you choose to work with some other random mail app, then the bug makes sure that the app uses default and random Gmail settings, which is irritating for the users.
4 Notes Crashes
The users have been facing the problem of Mavericks Note crashes in the Yosemite OS X. The Notes app does not sync many Microsoft Exchange Account of the users, nor does it sync from the Mac to Exchange Server, and also neither from the Exchange server to the Mac. The app might come up and show in the display settings of the Mac, but the users were unable to type anything and the app ignored all the Keyboard input but the mouse input worked fine with the Yosemite OS X.
The app also freezes after the users launch it after the update. The user complained about this particular app being crashed repeatedly even after a fix has been submitted to Apple. If the app is synced with the help of a Wi-Fi connection, then too nothing updates after the sync and which is clearly a trouble for the users. If a note is due before the current date or the date, you have mentioned in it and you study it, then the users will not be able to find an updated study schedule.
5 iPhoto App Bug
If you are planning to install Yosemite OS X, then you have to update your iPhoto to 9.5.1 version to work with the latest Mac operating system. However, still after the update too many people have been experiencing quite a lot of issues and bugs with the iPhoto app. Even after the use of updated iPhoto app, many users have been unable to edit their images. The users did subsequently many refreshed attempts, but still the images go distorted, unclear and do not provide any chance of editing them.
Activesync Mac Mail
Many a times a black screen appears when you enter the edit mode of iPhoto app in Yosemite that stops the users from editing the photos. The iPhoto app also crashes down immediately after the users open it in Yosemite OS X. In addition, the images that are shared on social networking sites are shared in reduced sizes. The elements and options in the app also do not display properly in Yosemite OS X.
How to Recover Lost Data on Mac OS X Yosemite
If you lost data by accident or mistakenly deleted your files from Mac running OS X Yosemite, you can still get your data back with the help of iSkysoft Data Recovery for Mac. This fabulous software lets you recover lost files from computer, hard drice, external hard drive, memory card and other storage. Various of file types are supported, such as video, photo, email, document and more. All you need to do is follow three simple steps: scan, preview and recover.