How to Set an Expiration Date for Shared Files in OneDrive

OneDrive makes it easy to share files with others inside and outside of your organization. The recipients of files you share simply receive a link that they open to access the file or folder you shared with them.

OneDrive also allows you to set an expiration date on the link sent to recipients when you share a file. When the link expires, recipients will no longer be able to access the file through opening the link.

Link expiration helps ensure that only the recipients intended to see the file can access it. It’s also good practice to set expiration dates on shared files so you don’t have to worry about them unintentionally being accessed later in the future.

In this article, we’ll show you how to set an expiration date for shared files in OneDrive on your PC, Android, or iPhone.

How to Share Files with an Expiration Date in OneDrive

You can share files with an expiration date in OneDrive by setting the expiration date in Link settings when sharing files. Below, we’ll show how through the OneDrive website on your PC and in the OneDrive mobile app on your Android or iPhone.

Desktop/PC

1. Open OneDrive in your browser and sign into your account.
2. Select the files or folders you wish to share with an expiration date by placing a checkmark to the left of them.
   
3. Click the Share button in the Toolbar above your list of files. You can also click the Share icon to the right of any file you’ve selected.
   
4. In the window that appears, click Anyone with the link can edit below Send link or Copy link. This will open Link settings for whichever method you intend on using to share the link.
   
   Note: This button reads differently depending on your administrator’s settings. For example, you might see “People in <Your Organization> can edit” instead of “Anyone with the link can edit”.
   
5. In Link settings, click Set expiration date and choose a date on the calendar that appears. You may also want to disable Allow editing or set a password using the Set password field for increased security.
   
6. Finally, click Apply and send the link through email or simply copy it.

Android/iPhone

1. Open the OneDrive mobile app and sign into your account.
2. Tap the Files tab at the bottom of the app to see your OneDrive files and folder.
   
3. Tap and hold any file or folder you wish to share with an expiration date until a checkmark appears to the left of it. Now tap each additional item you wish to share to select it.
   
4. Tap the Share icon in the upper right corner.
   
5. In the window that appears, tap Anyone with the link can edit below Send link or Copy link. This will open Link settings for whichever method you intend on using to share the link.
   
   Note: This button reads differently depending on your administrator’s settings. For example, you might see “People in <Your Organization> can edit” instead of “Anyone with the link can edit”.
   
6. In Link settings, tap Set expiration date and choose a date on the calendar that appears. You may also want to disable Allow editing or set a password using the Set password field for increased security.
   
7. Finally, tap Apply and send the link through email or simply copy it.

Adding an Expiration Date to a File that’s Already Been Shared in OneDrive

If you’ve already shared a file through OneDrive but forgot to set an expiration date, you can set one after the fact by managing the file’s access. Here’s how, step-by-step, on your PC and in the Android/iOS mobile app:

Desktop/PC

1. Open OneDrive in your browser and sign into your account.
2. Hover your mouse over the shared file or folder you wish to add an expiration date to, click the 3 dots to the right of it, and select Manage access.
   
3. In the window that appears, click the Gear icon to the right of the current shared link.
   
4. In the following menu, click Set expiration date and choose a date on the calendar that appears.
   
5. Click Apply.

Android/iPhone

1. Open the OneDrive mobile app and sign into your account.
2. Tap the Files tab at the bottom of the app to see your OneDrive files and folder.
   
3. Tap the 3 dots to the right of the share file or folder you wish to add an expiration date to and select Share.
   
4. In the window that appears, tap the Link icon to the right of Shared with near the bottom.
   
5. In Manage access, tap the Gear icon to the right of the current shared link.
   
6. In the following menu, tap Set expiration date and choose a date on the calendar that appears.
   
7. Tap Apply.