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filippodevMobile's avatar
filippodevMobile
Copper Contributor
Dec 19, 2025

Can a mobile app programmatically trigger the OneDrive mobile app?

Hi, I am developing a native mobile application (Android and iOS) and I would like to clarify what is officially supported when interacting with OneDrive on mobile devices. Specifically, I would l...
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NikolinoDE's avatar
NikolinoDE
Platinum Contributor
Jan 11, 2026

Interacting with OneDrive Mobile App from Third-Party Apps

 1. Directly Triggering the OneDrive Mobile App

No Supported Method Exists:
Microsoft does not provide any documented or supported mechanisms (like Android Intents, iOS URL schemes, or similar) for third-party apps to programmatically trigger the OneDrive mobile app to perform actions (e.g., creating folders or uploading files).

  • Android: No Intent-based interactions are supported for OneDrive operations.
  • iOS: No URL schemes (e.g., onedrive://) are published for file/folder creation or uploads.
  • Rationale: Allowing third-party apps to directly invoke OneDrive’s UI for operations would bypass critical security controls (e.g., user consent, permissions) and create inconsistent experiences.

 2. Supported Approach: Microsoft Graph API

The Only Officially Supported Method:
The Microsoft Graph API is the definitive, platform-agnostic solution for programmatic interactions with OneDrive/SharePoint. This includes:

  • Creating folders
  • Uploading files
  • Managing permissions
  • Querying content
  • Access via REST API or SDKs (Android/iOS).

Authentication:
Requires OAuth 2.0 with the Files.ReadWrite.All or Sites.ReadWrite.All scope (for SharePoint). Users must authenticate and grant consent via Microsoft Identity.

Mobile Integration:
Use the Microsoft Graph SDKs for Android/iOS to streamline API calls, token handling, and error management.

 3. Alternative: OneDrive Picker (Limited Scope)

File/Folder Selection Only:
The OneDrive File Picker allows users to select files/folders from OneDrive within your app (not trigger OneDrive’s app). It supports:

  • Web and mobile (via OAuth).
  • Read access (download), but not write operations (create folders/upload files).
  • Not for Programmatic Writes: This is user-driven selection, not automation.

 4. Deep Linking (View-Only)

  • View-Only Links:
    You can generate deep links to open specific files/folders in the OneDrive mobile app (e.g., for viewing). For example:
  • iOS: msauth://v2.0?path=/drive/root/children
  • Android: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?path={encoded-path}
  • Limitation: Only supports navigation, not creation/modification.
  • Not for CRUD Operations: Deep links cannot create folders or upload files.

Official Recommendations

  • Use Microsoft Graph for Writes: For creating folders/uploading files, always use Microsoft Graph. This ensures:
  • Compliance with Microsoft’s security model.
  • Cross-platform consistency (Android/iOS/web).
  • Access to advanced features (permissions, versioning, etc.).
  • Avoid Undocumented Hacks: Reverse-engineering URL schemes/Intents violates platform policies and risks app rejection (Apple App Store/Google Play) or breaking with future updates.
  • Leverage SDKs: Use the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL) and Graph SDKs for secure integration.

Resources

Graph API Documentation:

SDKs:

Authentication:

In summary: The Microsoft Graph API is the only supported method for programmatically creating folders/uploading files to OneDrive/SharePoint from mobile apps. No direct interaction with the OneDrive mobile app for these operations is officially supported.

 

 

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

 

Hope this will help you.

Resources