How to Migrate from OneDrive to Nextcloud for Better Privacy and Control

If you are thinking about moving your files from OneDrive to Nextcloud, the process may be easier than you expect. Microsoft OneDrive makes file storage convenient, but it also keeps your data within Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem. Moving to Nextcloud gives you more control over where your files are hosted, how they are shared, and which provider you trust to manage the cloud environment.

In this guide, we will walk through the migration process step by step. We will also explain what to check before and after the transfer, so you can move your files without overlooking anything important.

Before You Start: A Short Migration Checklist

Before copying any files, complete these checks:

• Check your storage usage. Confirm that your Nextcloud account has enough available space for everything you plan to transfer from OneDrive.
• Check your computer’s free space. This method downloads OneDrive files to your computer before uploading them to Nextcloud, so sufficient local storage is required.
• Create a separate backup. If these files are your only copy, save them to an external drive before starting the migration. A backup gives you another recovery option if the transfer is interrupted or a file is missed.
• Check every top-level folder. Look for folders such as Pictures and Camera Roll, where OneDrive may store photos uploaded from your phone.
• Install both desktop clients. Sign in to the OneDrive and Nextcloud desktop applications so both folders appear in File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS.
• Record important sharing settings. Existing OneDrive sharing links, permissions, and version history will not transfer when files are copied. These settings must be recreated in Nextcloud.
• Keep the original files. Do not delete anything from OneDrive until you have confirmed that the files open correctly in Nextcloud.

How to Move Files from OneDrive to Nextcloud

For an individual account or a small team, the easiest approach is to copy the files from the OneDrive folder on your computer into the Nextcloud folder. In this method, your computer acts as a bridge between the two services. Your OneDrive files must be fully downloaded before the Nextcloud desktop client can upload the copied versions.

1. Open your OneDrive folder

Open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS. You should see OneDrive in the sidebar. Open it and make sure you are signed in to the Microsoft account that contains the files you want to migrate.

Before copying anything, check that the files are actually available on your computer. OneDrive can display cloud-only files that have not been downloaded yet. Allow those files to finish downloading first.

Once the download is complete, pause syncing and close the OneDrive client. This gives you a stable copy to work with and prevents files from changing halfway through the transfer. If your computer restarts, check that OneDrive has not started syncing again before you continue.

2. Open your Nextcloud folder

Next, open your local Nextcloud folder in File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS. You should see Nextcloud in the sidebar after connecting your account through the desktop client.

3. Create a folder for your OneDrive files

Create a new folder inside Nextcloud and give it a name, such as OneDrive Migration. This keeps the transferred files together while you check that everything arrived successfully. You can organize them into other folders later.

4. Copy and paste the files

Now, go back to your OneDrive folder and select the files and folders you want to migrate. Copy them, open the new folder in Nextcloud, and paste them there.

Use copy rather than move for now. That way, your original files stay safely in OneDrive while the transfer is happening. If the sync gets interrupted, you can simply try again without worrying about losing anything.

5. Let Nextcloud finish the upload

As soon as you paste the files, the Nextcloud desktop client will begin uploading them to your cloud. Keep your computer connected to the internet and leave it switched on until the sync is complete.

How long this takes depends on your upload speed, the size of your OneDrive library and the number of files. If you have a lot to move, copy one main folder at a time. This makes the progress easier to follow and helps you spot any sync problems.

Wait until the Nextcloud client confirms that syncing has finished. Then, sign in to Nextcloud through your browser and check the uploaded folder structure. Open a few important documents, recent photos, and large files to make sure they work correctly. Keep the OneDrive copies until you are confident that everything has transferred successfully.

If you are moving hundreds of gigabytes or managing several accounts, contact CloudBased Backup before you begin. We can discuss your storage requirements and help you determine the most suitable way to move your files.

What Does and Does Not Move in This Method?

Think of this method as copying the contents of your OneDrive folders, not the account settings attached to them. Your downloaded documents, photos, videos, and other files will be copied to Nextcloud along with the folder structure you copy.

A few things stay behind in OneDrive. Existing sharing links, access permissions, and version history do not follow the files, so you will need to set those up again in Nextcloud. Email, calendars, contacts, Teams chats, and SharePoint-specific data are also outside this file transfer and need their own migration process.

Import OneDrive Files with Nextcloud’s OneDrive Integration App

If you do not want to copy files through your computer, you can use the Nextcloud OneDrive integration app. It connects your Microsoft account to Nextcloud and imports your OneDrive files directly while keeping the existing folder structure.

There is some setup involved. A Nextcloud administrator must install the app and configure a Microsoft Azure OAuth connection before an account holder can connect OneDrive and start the import. If you use managed Nextcloud hosting, ask your provider whether this option is available for your account.

Before choosing this option, check which type of OneDrive account you have. Nextcloud’s official documentation states that the app does not work with OneDrive for Business. Although the app still receives releases for current Nextcloud versions, its maintainers describe development as limited to maintaining its core functionality and fixing critical bugs. If you have a business account, use the desktop method above or ask your Nextcloud provider about other migration options.

Move to Nextcloud Without Managing a Server

If you are comfortable maintaining a server, self-hosting Nextcloud may suit you well. It also means taking responsibility for security patches, software updates, backups, monitoring, and recovery when something goes wrong. That can become more work than expected, especially when you simply want a reliable place for your files.

If you do not want to manage a server yourself, CloudBased Backup can handle the infrastructure, updates, maintenance, and backups for you. You stay in control of your files, accounts, apps, and sharing settings, while your Nextcloud is hosted in German data centers with GDPR-aligned data protection.