Microsoft has introduced a significant visual update to OneDrive on macOS, delivering a redesigned Activity Center aimed at better aligning the cloud storage app with Apple’s desktop environment. The OneDrive macOS update is currently rolling out to Insider users running build 26.017, with broader availability expected later.
The most noticeable change is a new Activity Center interface built with SwiftUI and designed around Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic introduced in macOS 26. The refreshed panel appears when users click the OneDrive icon in the macOS menu bar. Microsoft says the updated interface is more responsive, and early impressions suggest faster load times and smoother navigation compared to the previous design.
The new Activity Center remains functionally familiar but is more compact. File changes, sync status updates, and account notifications are presented in a tighter layout without removing key details. Images and videos now display thumbnails directly in the feed, making it easier to identify recent changes at a glance. For users who rely on OneDrive to sync media-heavy folders, that visual context could reduce the need to open files manually just to confirm updates.
Accessibility has also been addressed. The updated OneDrive for macOS supports VoiceOver and Full Keyboard Access, bringing it closer in line with Apple’s native accessibility standards. That alignment extends to the use of native macOS dialog boxes when additional input or permissions are required. Instead of platform-agnostic pop-ups, users now see system-consistent prompts, which helps the app feel less like a cross-platform port and more like a macOS-native experience.
This update arrives at a time when Microsoft continues to expand OneDrive’s role within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. While recent additions such as AI integrations have drawn mixed reactions, core improvements to performance and interface design remain central to the service’s appeal—particularly for Mac users who expect tight system integration.
For now, the redesigned OneDrive Activity Center is limited to Insiders on macOS 26. Microsoft has not provided a timeline for general release, though cosmetic and interface-focused updates typically move through testing relatively quickly. Insider users will receive the upgrade automatically once it becomes available to their build, and Microsoft is encouraging feedback through the in-app Send Feedback option.
As competition among cloud storage platforms intensifies, refinements like this macOS-specific redesign highlight an ongoing effort to improve usability rather than add new layers of complexity. For Mac users who rely on OneDrive for daily file sync and backup, a cleaner and more integrated interface may be a meaningful step forward.
