OneDrive is signed into the wrong account, and you want your computer or phone connected to a different one. The right route depends on whether you want to replace that account or keep it alongside another. Start with that choice, then follow the steps for your device, including a separate check for photo backups.
Choose whether to replace the account or add another
Replace the account when you want OneDrive to stop syncing with the old identity. Unlinking preserves your cloud data, but signing into another account does not transfer your files or their ownership.
You can keep one personal account alongside work or school accounts. To add an account on Windows, open the OneDrive cloud icon > Help & Settings > Settings > Account > Add an account, then sign in. On Mac, use the OneDrive cloud icon > three-dot menu > Preferences > Account > Add an account, then sign in.
Desktop accounts sync side by side, each in its own folder, so instead of switching accounts as in the mobile app, you open the folder for the account you want. On Windows, press Windows+E to open File Explorer. Open the desired account's OneDrive folder in the navigation pane; work or school folder names include the organization. On Windows 11, the label is your first name followed by the organization, such as Alex – Contoso; Windows 10 shows OneDrive – Contoso.
Replace the synced account on Windows
Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area. Open Help & Settings, then select Settings. Open the Account tab.
Select Unlink this PC and confirm with Unlink account. Reopen OneDrive if it is closed. Sign in with the replacement account.
Complete folder setup using a separate folder for the replacement account. Keep that folder separate because reusing a populated folder can mix its local contents with the replacement account.
Connect your Mac to a different account
This replaces the account connected to the OneDrive sync app on your Mac. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar. Open Help & Settings.
Select Preferences, then open Account. Select Unlink this Mac. Reopen OneDrive.
Sign in with the replacement account. Complete folder setup with a separate folder for that account to avoid mixing local contents.
Switch accounts on your phone or tablet
On Android, iPhone, and iPad, you can switch between accounts already added to OneDrive. Replacing your personal account requires signing out of the old one first, because the app supports only one personal account at a time.
To switch accounts, open OneDrive's profile picture/person icon menu and select the account you want to use. To add an account instead, select Add account from the profile picture/person icon menu. Enter the additional account's credentials.
To replace an account, select the old account in the account menu. Open its profile picture/person icon menu, then select Sign out. Sign in with the replacement account.
For a work or school account on iPhone or iPad, you can also open Settings from the account menu. Open Accounts and select the account you want to remove.
Tap Sign out and confirm with OK. Sign in with the replacement account.
Change the account on the OneDrive website
Browser sign-in is separate from the OneDrive sync app. Changing the account on OneDrive.com changes your web session.
Open OneDrive.com and select your account picture/Account manager. Select Sign out. Return to OneDrive.com and sign in with the intended account.
If you still cannot use the intended account in that session, try a separate private window: select Edge's New InPrivate window, Chrome's New Incognito window, Firefox's New Private window, or Safari's File > New Private Window. Sign into OneDrive.com there. Your normal browser session remains available.
Clear old sign-in details when an account conflict blocks you
Stale sign-in settings or cached credentials can cause the account-conflict errors addressed here, including after you change your Microsoft account password.
On Windows, unlink the old account using Unlink this PC and Unlink account as described above. Press Windows+R. Enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings, then select OK.
Delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json. Reopen OneDrive and retry signing in with the intended account.
For a Mac account conflict, unlink the old account using Unlink this Mac. Open Keychain Access using Spotlight, then search for OneDrive.
Delete OneDrive Cached Credential. Run OneDrive again and retry the replacement sign-in.
If your Mac specifically says You're already syncing this account, also open /Users/<username>/Library/Group Containers/, replacing <username> with your Mac username. Delete UBF8T346G9.OneDriveSyncClientSuite.plist and UBF8T346G9.OfficeOneDriveSyncIntegration.plist. Restart OneDrive, then retry account setup.
Set the right account for photo backups
Camera backup or upload supports one account at a time. After switching accounts in the mobile app, set the intended account as the photo destination too.
On Android, select the intended account through the account picture. Under Camera backup is off, tap Turn on, then tap Confirm. Grant photo and video access, then check that Camera backup account shows the intended account.
On iPhone or iPad, tap the relevant account icon to switch accounts. Open Settings > Camera Upload and turn on the toggle for the intended account. Enable Include Videos if you want videos uploaded too.
Samsung's direct Gallery sync with OneDrive ended September 30, 2026. Use camera backup in the OneDrive app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out of Office change the OneDrive sync account?
No. Signing out of Office does not sign out the separate OneDrive sync app. Switching accounts in Office changes Office's access to accounts and storage.
Can I add two work accounts from the same organization on mobile?
No. The OneDrive mobile apps cannot sign into multiple work or school accounts from the same organization.
Can I change my sign-in email without changing my OneDrive storage?
Yes, for a personal Microsoft account. Sign into account.live.com/names/manage. Select Add email. Add the desired alias. You can use that alias to sign into Microsoft services while retaining the same account and online storage.
Why does my work computer keep signing into the same OneDrive account?
Your organization can configure automatic work-account sign-in and restrict which accounts can sync. Ask your administrator to review those settings when they prevent replacement sign-in.