How to Sync Teams Channels and Folders to Finder on Mac?

User Question

I’m working on a project with my team using Microsoft Teams, but I find it frustrating to constantly switch between the Teams app and my Mac os X Finder to access shared files. Is there a way to sync my Teams channel and folder directly to Finder for easier access and offline work?

Offline Access shortcut for Teams library in mac OS X Finder

Syncing your Microsoft Teams channel and folder to Finder on your Mac can significantly improve your workflow and file accessibility. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set this up:

  1. Open Microsoft Teams on your Mac.
  2. Navigate to the desired team and channel.
  3. Click on the “Files” tab at the top of the channel.
  4. Select “Open in SharePoint” from the top menu.
  5. In the SharePoint window, click on “Sync” in the top navigation bar.
  6. If prompted, allow your browser to open the Microsoft OneDrive app.
  7. In the OneDrive dialog, click “Sync now” to begin the synchronization process.
  8. Wait for the initial sync to complete. This may take some time depending on the amount of data.
  9. Once synced, open Finder and look for “OneDrive – [Your Organization Name]” in the sidebar.
  10. Inside this folder, you’ll find your synced Teams files and folders.

Why should you download your files to mac OS?

  • Teams uses SharePoint for file storage, which allows for easy syncing with OneDrive.
  • Syncing creates a local copy of your files, enabling offline access and quicker file operations.
  • Changes made locally will automatically sync back to Teams when you’re online.

Can’t browse teams folder in mac OS X?

If you encounter issues during the sync process:

  • Ensure you have the latest version of OneDrive installed on your Mac.
  • Check your internet connection, as a stable connection is crucial for initial syncing.
  • If files aren’t syncing, try pausing and resuming sync in the OneDrive app.
  • For permission issues, contact your IT administrator to verify your access rights.
  • If syncing is slow, consider syncing specific folders instead of the entire channel.