OneDrive Android App Search Not Showing Same Results as Web and Windows

Question

Hi,

I've noticed a persistent issue with the search functionality in the OneDrive Android app.

• When I search for a file using a specific term or even the exact file title, the Android app either fails to return relevant results or doesn't show the file at all.
• However, when I use the exact same search term on the OneDrive web version (on Microsoft Edge and Safari) or the Windows OneDrive app, the correct file appears immediately. Other results are also relevant to the search term. Results from both methods are identical. This inconsistency makes it very hard to rely on the mobile app for file access on the go.
• The file is stored in OneDrive and not locally on the device, and I’ve verified it exists and is searchable on other platforms.

Is there any known issue with search indexing or sync differences across platforms, especially affecting the Android app?

I noticed that this issue has been raised multiple times before in the following Microsoft Community threads:

Why won't the search function on OneDrive work on the android app? - Microsoft Community

Onedrive search on android not working at all - Microsoft Community

I’ve already gone through the basic troubleshooting indicated on previous threads:

• Cleared app cache
• Uninstalled and reinstalled the app
• Signed out and back in
• Checked for latest app updates

It seems like this has been a longstanding issue affecting others as well, especially with work or school accounts. Is there a fix or upcoming update addressing this?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Answer 1

Dear Saatvik Agrawal, 

Good day to you and thanks for your post in Microsoft Community. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've encountered.

I am writing to confirm whether the ticket has been created in accordance with the steps I previously outlined, and to inquire if any assistance has been received thus far.

If you are still having issues or need further assistance, please let me know so I can assist you in a timely manner.

And if your issue was resolved by below step and some other users will also search information in this community, your valuable vote will definitely also help other users who have similar queries easily to find the correct channel and useful information more quickly. 

I am looking forward to hearing from you. Wish you have a wonderful day!

Best regards,

Daniel Vo - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist.

Answer 2

Dear Saatvik Agrawal, 

Good day to you and thanks for your post in Microsoft Community. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've encountered. To better assist you, I'd like to provide the following clarification: 

• I completely understand how frustrating it is when a feature doesn’t work as expected. The search issue in the OneDrive Android app has been ongoing and remains unresolved, likely due to one of the following challenges: 
  • Search indexing delays or failures within the Android client
  • Differences in metadata caching or query behavior on mobile versus desktop
  • Restrictions tied to enterprise account settings on mobile
• Besides that, would you mind giving me a comparison image between mobile app and desktop? It is as the document for me to record the problem.

Our engineering team is aware of the problem. A bug report has been logged, and the issue is actively being prioritized in the development pipeline. A fix is scheduled for an upcoming app release, and teams are working diligently to minimize its impact globally. 

Please keep your app updated and check back soon - not only moderator but also customer, I also hope to have a fix available shortly. While I can't provide a specific ETA, please rest assured the team is focused on resolving this as quickly as possible. 

In the meantime, you might try this community-suggested workaround that’s helped some users: 

• Move all the existing folders into a new folder, give it some time (a few minutes), and then move them back.
• Every file in those folders will become searchable again. It's like an indexing refresh, the provider thinks.

If you're an IT admin in your organization, I recommend submitting a report issue via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. This will help the backend team investigate and resolve the issue more efficiently. You can follow the steps in the image below to submit a report.

If you're an end-user, please coordinate with your Office 365 Global Administrator to complete these steps. And if you're unsure who your Global Admin is, this guide may help How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support.

In the meantime, you can also share your feedback through the OneDrive feedback (click Me -> Help & Feedback -> Report a Problem), as this helps the product team track and prioritize issues that affect multiple users.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding! Once again, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience. I look forward to your information and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me - I’ll be happy to assist you. Wishing you a wonderful day. 

Best regards,

Daniel Vo - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist.