What Is com.microsoft.skydrive on Android? and Why Is It Still on Your Phone?

Key Features

• Seamless cloud synchronization of files, photos, and documents across multiple devices.
• Integrated collaboration tools with Microsoft Office for real-time editing.
• Strong security with encryption, two-factor authentication, and enterprise compliance.
• Cross-platform accessibility through Android, iOS, web browsers, and desktop applications.

Have you ever wondered how a simple app on your phone quietly manages, syncs, and protects your most important files? That’s exactly what com.microsoft.skydrive, the Android package name for Microsoft’s OneDrive does. At its core, it represents the mobile backbone of Microsoft’s global cloud storage network. It ensures that your documents, photos, and work files remain accessible anytime, anywhere, without the fear of losing data across devices.

Cloud storage is not just a convenience; it’s an industry that underpins the way more than 4.66 billion internet users exchange and protect information globally. According to Statista, the cloud storage market is projected to reach $376 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of nearly 25%. Within this space, Microsoft’s OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) remains one of the top three cloud storage platforms, competing directly with Google Drive and Dropbox.

A 2023 IDC report highlights that over 85% of enterprises use at least one cloud storage provider, with Microsoft OneDrive being adopted by more than 270 million active users worldwide. This massive usage base makes com.microsoft.skydrive not just another Android app, but a gateway into the world’s most widely integrated cloud ecosystems.  In this blog, we’ll explore its features, technical role and why it remains essential for both personal and enterprise users.

What Does com.microsoft.skydrive Really Mean?

com.microsoft.skydrive is the internal Android package name for Microsoft OneDrive, a leftover from its original identity as SkyDrive, launched in 2007. Back then, SkyDrive allowed users to store files, photos, and Office documents online, years before cloud storage became the norm. In 2014, Microsoft rebranded it to OneDrive after a legal dispute with British broadcaster BSkyB. While the new name rolled out globally, the Android package name stayed the same to avoid disrupting updates, syncing, and stored data.

This isn’t unusual in the app world. TikTok still uses com.zhiliaoapp.musically from its Musical.ly days, while CapCut runs under com.lemon.lvoverseas, a remnant of its ViaMaker origins. Similarly android users use com.android.dreams.phototable for photos slideshow sacreen saver feature. These hidden identifiers may confuse users, but they serve a vital role in keeping apps stable, recognizable to the system, and backward-compatible across updates.

Why Does com.microsoft.skydrive Appear on Your Phone by Default?

On many devices especially Samsung phones OneDrive comes preinstalled as part of Microsoft’s partnership with Samsung. During setup, Samsung Gallery often prompts users to back up photos to OneDrive. Accept once, and the service stays active in the background, syncing files until it’s disabled. Many users only realize it’s there when checking app usage or battery stats.

The same applies to Microsoft’s own Surface Duo, where OneDrive is treated almost like a system app. Even on Google Pixel and other brands, it can reappear through Play Store auto-restore or Microsoft account integration. In short, you don’t always have to hit “Install” for com.microsoft.skydrive to find its way onto your device.

What Permissions Does com.microsoft.skydrive Use on Android?

The OneDrive app, known internally as com.microsoft.skydrive, requires a range of permissions to function smoothly, some expected, others more intrusive depending on how you use the app.

When installed, OneDrive may request:

• Storage access to back up photos, videos, and documents.
• Camera access for scanning files or uploading photos directly.
• Location data to tag uploads (especially photos) with GPS information.
• Contacts and account access for Microsoft account integration and file sharing.
• Network access to enable syncing, notifications, and updates.
• Notification access (optional) to alert you about uploads, edits, or storage limits.
• Run on boot/background access to keep synchronization active even if you don’t open the app.

Most of these permissions support OneDrive’s core functions, but features like location and account access may raise concerns for privacy-focused users. As of May 2025, the Google Play listing shows that OneDrive collects multiple categories of data, including personal details and files, while encrypting information during transfer and offering deletion requests. Still, many users skip over these details and simply tap “Accept”, often without realizing the full scope of data access.

Should You Keep com.microsoft.skydrive or Remove It?

Whether to keep or disable OneDrive largely depends on how you use your device. If you’re actively working with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, or OneNote, or rely on Samsung Gallery integration for photo backups, then keeping com.microsoft.skydrive makes sense. It ensures your files are automatically synced across devices, giving you easy access to documents, photos, and notes anytime you need them.

On the other hand, if you already depend on Google Drive, Dropbox, or local backups, or simply don’t use OneDrive at all, then disabling it could free up storage and background resources. Privacy-conscious users may also prefer to remove it due to Microsoft’s data scanning and account policies. Ultimately, the choice isn’t about paranoia, it’s about deciding which services you trust and which apps you want running quietly on your phone.

How to Remove com.microsoft.skydrive (Without Breaking Anything)

If you decide that OneDrive isn’t the right fit for you, there are safe ways to disable or remove it. No scare tactics, no unnecessary jargon, just straightforward methods that work.

1. Disable from System Settings

On many Android devices (such as Samsung), OneDrive comes preinstalled and cannot be fully uninstalled. In this case, you can disable it:

• Open Settings → Apps
• Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list
• Tap it, then choose Disable

This prevents the app from launching, syncing, or updating. It won’t be visible in your app drawer, though it technically still exists in the system image.

2. Uninstall from Google Play Store

If you manually installed OneDrive, the process is simple:

• Open the Google Play Store
• Search for Microsoft OneDrive
• Select the app and tap Uninstall
• Confirm when prompted

This removes both the app and its services completely from your phone.

3. Remove via ADB (No Root Needed)

For users who want more control, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows you to uninstall preloaded apps from your user profile without rooting your device.
Steps:

1. Enable Developer Options (Settings → About Phone → tap Build Number 7 times).
2. Go to Settings → System → Developer Options, then enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to a PC using a USB cable.

4. Run the following command in a terminal:

adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.microsoft.skydrive

This removes OneDrive from your user account but keeps it in the system partition for safety. You can reinstall later from the Play Store if needed.

(Tip: If ADB doesn’t detect your device, check the cable, switch USB mode to “File Transfer,” or consult an ADB troubleshooting guide.)

5. Full Removal with Root Tools (Advanced)

If your phone is rooted, you can completely remove OneDrive—including its data and system files using tools like App Manager or Universal Android Debloater. This gives full control but is permanent. Always back up your device first, as removing critical components can affect system stability.

Is com.microsoft.skydrive Safe or Not?

com.microsoft.skydrive is not malware. It is simply the Android package name for Microsoft OneDrive. However, it is also not a completely private space. Like other major cloud providers, Microsoft uses automated scanning on certain uploaded content to meet legal and safety requirements. For example, photos may be analyzed with PhotoDNA, a technology designed to detect known child abuse material using hash matching. 

While it does not scan every private folder or rely on facial recognition, the fact remains that files stored on OneDrive are not beyond oversight.There have been cases of account lockouts where flagged files caused users to lose access to Outlook, OneNote, and even encrypted data linked to OneDrive. It is a reminder that while OneDrive is secure, using it requires balancing convenience with privacy.

Conclusion

com.microsoft.skydrive isn’t doing anything illegal. But the way it sits on your phone under a forgotten name, syncing files you didn’t ask for, tied to an account that controls access to your email, files, and even game saves, deserves your attention. If you use it, great. But if it’s just sitting there quietly, maybe it’s time to ask whether you really need it running at all. Understanding what it does and what data it touches gives you the power to decide if it’s a tool worth keeping or an app better left disabled.