Mobile App Asks for Sign-in Repeatedly: OneDrive for Business Fix

You open the OneDrive app on your phone, and it asks you to sign in again even though you just authenticated an hour ago. This repeated sign-in prompt disrupts your workflow and raises concerns about account security or device configuration. The issue is typically caused by expired authentication tokens, conflicting account credentials, or incorrect app permissions on your mobile device. This article explains the root causes and provides clear steps to stop the repeated sign-in prompts on both iOS and Android devices.

Why the OneDrive Mobile App Keeps Asking You to Sign In

The OneDrive mobile app relies on authentication tokens to maintain your session. These tokens have an expiration period set by your organization or by Microsoft’s default security policies. When a token expires, the app must refresh it silently. If the refresh fails, the app falls back to a full sign-in screen.

Several factors cause token refresh failures:

Expired or Revoked Authentication Tokens

Your organization may enforce short token lifetimes through Conditional Access policies in Microsoft Entra ID. If the token expires and the app cannot refresh it in the background, you see the sign-in prompt. Token revocation also occurs when an admin resets your password or disables your account temporarily.

Corrupted App Cache

The OneDrive app stores cached data, including partial authentication state, to speed up reconnection. If this cache becomes corrupted due to an incomplete update or storage error, the app loses the valid token and prompts for sign-in on every launch.

Conflicting Account Credentials

If you have multiple Microsoft accounts signed in on your device, the OneDrive app may pick the wrong credential during the token refresh. This conflict forces the app to show the sign-in page because it cannot match the cached token to the active account.

Device-Level Permission Changes

On Android, if you revoke the OneDrive app’s storage permission or disable background data, the app cannot refresh tokens in the background. On iOS, disabling Background App Refresh has the same effect. The app then treats each launch as a new session.

Steps to Fix Repeated Sign-in Prompts on Your Mobile Device

Follow these steps in order. Test the app after each step to see if the sign-in prompt stops.

Step 1: Clear the OneDrive App Cache and Data

1. Open device Settings
   On Android, go to Settings > Apps > OneDrive. On iOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > OneDrive.
2. Clear cache and data (Android only)
   Tap Storage & cache. Tap Clear cache first, then tap Clear storage. This removes all local data including corrupted tokens.
3. Offload and reinstall (iOS only)
   Tap Offload App to remove the app without deleting documents. Then tap Reinstall App from the App Store. This clears the cache while preserving your files.
4. Launch OneDrive and sign in
   Open the app and enter your Microsoft 365 credentials. The app now requests a fresh token from Microsoft Entra ID.

Step 2: Remove and Re-add Your Account in the OneDrive App

1. Open OneDrive app
   Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-left corner.
2. Select Settings
   Tap the gear icon, then tap Account or Manage Accounts.
3. Remove your work or school account
   Tap the account name, then tap Remove Account or Sign Out. Confirm the action.
4. Restart the app
   Force close OneDrive and reopen it. Tap Sign In and enter your credentials again. This creates a new authentication token.

Step 3: Check Device Permissions for OneDrive

1. Open device Settings
   Go to Settings > Apps > OneDrive on Android. On iOS, go to Settings > OneDrive.
2. Verify storage permission (Android)
   Tap Permissions. Ensure Files and media is set to Allow. If denied, the app cannot store tokens locally.
3. Enable Background App Refresh (iOS)
   In the OneDrive settings, toggle Background App Refresh to On. Without this, the app cannot refresh tokens in the background.
4. Allow notifications (optional but recommended)
   Notifications help the app wake up for token refresh. Enable them in the same permissions screen.

Step 4: Update the OneDrive App to the Latest Version

1. Open your app store
   On Android, open Google Play Store. On iOS, open App Store.
2. Search for OneDrive
   Type Microsoft OneDrive in the search bar.
3. Tap Update
   If an update is available, tap Update. Outdated app versions may have bugs that cause token refresh failures.

Step 5: Verify Your Microsoft 365 Account Status

1. Sign in to Microsoft 365 on a web browser
   Go to office.com and sign in with the same account used on the mobile app.
2. Check for password reset or account lock
   If you see a message about password expiration or account suspension, follow the prompts to resolve it.
3. Contact your IT admin if needed
   Ask your admin to verify that your account is active and that no Conditional Access policy is forcing frequent sign-ins.

If OneDrive Still Prompts for Sign-in After the Main Fix

OneDrive App Shows Sign-in on Every Launch on Android

If clearing cache and re-adding the account does not work, check for battery optimization settings. Go to Settings > Apps > OneDrive > Battery. Set the option to Unrestricted or Not optimized. Battery optimization can kill the app’s background processes, preventing token refresh.

OneDrive App Signs Out Automatically on iOS

On iOS, if the sign-in prompt appears after switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data, the network change may invalidate the token. Open Settings > OneDrive and enable Use Cellular Data. Then go to Settings > Cellular and ensure OneDrive is toggled on. This allows the app to refresh tokens over any network.

Multiple Accounts Cause Sign-in Loop

If you have a personal Microsoft account and a work or school account on the same device, the OneDrive app may get confused. Remove both accounts from the app. Sign in only with your work or school account first. After the app loads, add the personal account if needed. This prevents token conflicts.

Conditional Access Policy Requires Device Enrollment

Your organization might require that your mobile device be enrolled in Microsoft Intune before accessing OneDrive. If you see a sign-in prompt that redirects to a company portal, install the Microsoft Intune Company Portal app and enroll your device. After enrollment, the token refresh works without interruption.

OneDrive Mobile App: Manual Sign-in vs Token Refresh

Item	Manual Sign-in	Token Refresh
User action required	Enter username and password every time	None — happens in the background
Authentication method	Full interactive login with MFA if enabled	Silent token exchange using refresh token
Session duration	Until app is closed or token expires	Up to 90 days by default, configurable by admin
Triggered by	Token expiration, cache corruption, or network change	App launch, file sync, or background timer
Impact on workflow	Interrupts current task	No interruption

After following the steps above, your OneDrive mobile app should maintain a stable session without repeated sign-in prompts. If the issue persists, ask your IT admin to review your account’s Conditional Access policies and token lifetime settings. As an advanced tip, enable Microsoft Authenticator on your phone — it can handle token refresh for all Microsoft 365 apps and reduce sign-in prompts to near zero.