Is your Android OneDrive app wasting your data allowance?

The described behavior (OneDrive for Android v7.53.1 backing up folders that were not selected, consuming mobile data) is not covered in the provided context, so no specific confirmation of that bug or workaround using third‑party apps can be given.

However, the context does provide supported ways to control what OneDrive backs up and how to limit data and storage impact on Android:

1. To reduce local storage usage by the OneDrive app
   1. Open the Android Settings app and select Applications.
   2. Scroll down and select OneDrive.
   3. Select Storage, then select Clear data and Clear cache.
   4. Close Settings and reopen the OneDrive app.
   After this, Camera Upload / Camera Backup settings may need to be reconfigured.
2. To control camera backup behavior The documented Camera Backup feature backs up the device’s camera roll to OneDrive but does not sync both ways. Deleting photos and videos from the device does not delete the backed‑up copies in OneDrive. To (re)configure Camera Backup on Android:
   1. In the OneDrive app, tap the account image at the top of the app.
   2. Tap Turn on below the "Camera backup is off" text (or review the same area if it is on) and ensure the correct account is selected.
   3. Use the available settings such as Backup only when charging to help manage resource usage.
3. To avoid excessive or unnecessary backups The storage best‑practice guidance recommends:
   • Not backing up every single image (screenshots, messaging images, memes) without periodic cleanup, as this can lead to large amounts of wasted space.
   • Considering whether all images in the Android camera roll need to be included in backup. Guidance for this is in the Android camera backup article.
   • Performing a regular purge of backed‑up photos using the OneDrive.com photo viewer rather than only managing from the mobile camera roll.
4. To troubleshoot camera upload / backup issues If automatic camera upload behaves unexpectedly (for example, not uploading as expected or taking a long time):
   • Keep the OneDrive app open so the camera roll can update.
   • If not on Wi‑Fi, check OneDrive mobile settings to ensure camera upload on metered connections is not switched off.
   • Enable the device’s Location Services, as changes in location are used to trigger background activity.
   • Ensure the Microsoft storage quota has not been exceeded; if storage is exceeded, new files (including Camera Roll) cannot be uploaded, edited, or synced.

These supported controls (clearing app data/cache, reconfiguring Camera Backup, limiting what is included in backup, and managing backed‑up content from OneDrive) are the documented ways to manage OneDrive’s backup and storage behavior on Android.

References:

• Troubleshoot OneDrive for Android app problems
• Automatically save photos and videos with OneDrive for Android
• Fix OneDrive sync issues on Android and iOS devices
• What is Microsoft cloud storage?