Understanding Microsoft Accounts and OneDrive
To use OneDrive, you need a free Microsoft account. Microsoft accounts have many different names and are used for a variety of services. Odds are you already use one. Any of the following can be used to access OneDrive:
Hotmail and Outlook email addresses. Xbox Network accounts for gaming on Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles. A Skype account. The account you use to purchase digital content from the Windows 10 Microsoft Store.
How Much Does OneDrive Cost?
Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage service is available for free with a 5 GB storage limit. This storage limit includes all files shared across all your connected devices and apps. Those who need more space can pay a monthly fee for more space. You can get up to 6TB of storage with a OneDrive annual plan, which comes with a complimentary Microsoft 365 subscription and several advanced features, such as ransomware and malware detection.
What OneDrive Apps Are Available?
There are official Microsoft OneDrive apps available for Windows 10 devices, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, Mac computers, Xbox One consoles, and Windows Phone.
What Does the OneDrive Website Do?
The OneDrive website can be accessed via any web browser on any device. Here’s what you can do with it:
Upload files to your OneDrive account.Delete files from your OneDrive account.Move files to different OneDrive folders.Share files or folders with other people.Restore deleted OneDrive files.Undo changes made to OneDrive files.Open and edit files in Word Online.
How to Back up Your Smartphone Photos With OneDrive
One of the more useful features of the iOS and Android OneDrive apps is they can automatically upload your photos and screenshots to your Microsoft cloud storage as soon as they’re created. This not only provides you with a backup of your images, but it also makes them immediately accessible on your other devices with a OneDrive app installed without the need for you to manually transfer them.
How to Enable OneDrive Camera Uploads on iOS
If you want to automatically upload your photos from an iOS device to OneDrive:
How to Enable OneDrive Camera Uploads on Android
The steps for enabling camera uploads in OneDrive for Android differ slightly from the iOS version.
How to Transfer Files to Your Computer With OneDrive
Microsoft’s OneDrive is an easy way to transfer files from your smartphone or tablet to your computer without using cables or a full device syncing process. Here’s how to do it.
Using OneDrive to Share Files With Friends
All versions of OneDrive can share files with friends or colleagues by generating a unique web link that can be sent via email or a messaging app. OneDrive file links can even be posted on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Here’s how to create a share link in OneDrive: On iOS:
Within the Android OneDrive app, open the file you wish to share, then tap the Share icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. Select Copy link to copy the file’s unique link to your device’s clipboard.In the iOS OneDive app, open the file you want to share, then tap the Share icon, represented as a square icon with the arrow pointing out of it. Select Copy link to save the link.To share a OneDrive file from a Windows 10 or Mac computer, locate the file within the OneDrive directory, right-click it with your mouse, then select Share a OneDrive link. The link is immediately copied to your clipboard.
After you have the link, you can paste it into any program or app the same way you would paste regular text.
Can I Save to OneDrive When Offline?
Yes, you can. If a file has been previously downloaded onto your device, you can open, edit, and save it while offline. When your device next connects to the internet, the updated file uploads to your OneDrive account and overwrites the old version.
