How to Share OneDrive Links on Apple Computers

Steve C · 14 Jan 2017

I've sent links to share photo folders from my OneDrive account to various people. The links open fine for anyone using Windows PCs but people using iMacs & iPads can't open the links. I also can't open the links using my iPod Touch. The same people using Apple computers can open shared links from my Google Drive.

Is there some conspiracy between Microsoft and Apple which prevents OneDrive links opening on Apple computers? Have people managed to open shared Onedrive folder links on Apple computers and, if so, how?

Caledon Ken · 15 Jan 2017

Interesting behaviour. I tried it on my iPad, sent link from my desktop hotmail account, to Apple mail app. With OneDrive app on iPad it tries to open Onedrive. Deleted app.

If I just tap link it opens Safari into a dead space. If I tap and hold, wait for menu to appear and then tap open it opens picture on my oneDrive.

pparks1 · 15 Jan 2017

Mine works perfectly fine. I just logged into OneDrive, created a test folder, put in a test file into that folder, marked it to share, sent the link to my Mac, opened it with Safari and it came right up.

I will PM you my test link. Let me know if it works for you.

Steve C · 15 Jan 2017

pparks1 said:

Mine works perfectly fine. I just logged into OneDrive, created a test folder, put in a test file into that folder, marked it to share, sent the link to my Mac, opened it with Safari and it came right up.

I will PM you my test link. Let me know if it works for you.

I've since found people with a recent iPhone can open the OneDrive links, but the links don't work older iPads nor my iPod Touch c. 2012. I suspect there is an incompatibility between older iOS versions and OneDrive web access. As a work around, I've since copied the files I want to share to my Google Drive which works for those people using older iOS versions.

bro67 · 15 Jan 2017

For iOS use File Explorer to log into One Drive and Google. There is no conspiracy between Microsoft and Apple, other than Microsoft continues to use Silverlight. You can try Firefox or Chrome instead of Safari on your iOS devices.

Steve C · 16 Jan 2017

bro67 said:

For iOS use File Explorer to log into One Drive and Google. There is no conspiracy between Microsoft and Apple, other than Microsoft continues to use Silverlight. You can try Firefox or Chrome instead of Safari on your iOS devices.

The other people using iPads don't have a OneDrive account. I only want them to be able to open the OneDrive shared link. Clicking on the OneDrive email link should open Safari and show them the shared OneDrive files but it doesn't work.

Caledon Ken · 16 Jan 2017

On my newer ipad, and yes the IOS are starting to string out depending on age of gear, if I hold my tap, until the menu opens, and I tap open it opens the link. If I just tap link it opens a dead Safari page, which is not right.

bro67 · 16 Jan 2017

Steve C said:

The other people using iPads don't have a OneDrive account. I only want them to be able to open the OneDrive shared link. Clicking on the OneDrive email link should open Safari and show them the shared OneDrive files but it doesn't work.

Again use File Explorer. It is in iTunes under "ES File Explorer". You set the user names or email them the link. If the iPad is older than a version 4, then it is time for them to trade it in and maybe get a Samsung 10" or a refurb iPad ver 4. Personally I would go with the Samsung, since their Android Interface works a whole lot better and you can split screen.

Steve C · 17 Jan 2017

bro67 said:

Again use File Explorer.

How do you use File Explorer on an iPad? The link should just open in safari but it doesn't.

bro67 · 17 Jan 2017

Steve C said:

How do you use File Explorer on an iPad? The link should just open in safari but it doesn't.

You download it from App's. The app is actually called "ES File Explorer", in short it shows up as the app name as guess what "File Explorer". You just have to do a websearch and you would have found the iTunes info in the browser for that app. I use it all of the time and never have any issues.