Big Sur Wallpaper Issue

My solution, at least it seems to work on my Mac Mini 2020 with two monitors attached was to delete de desktoppicture.db in directory ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/ and restart. The default background picture appears but after change it in the two monitors and restart, the background selected was fixed.

Hope can help.

I had the same problem on my iMac, but found a solution. The key is that the picture you want to have as your desktop wallpaper must be in the Pictures folder listed in the System Preferences>Desktop & Screen Saver left panel where the Apple drop down is also available. Place the picture or pictures you want for your desktop wallpaper in the appropriate User>Pictures folder and then navigate to that/those picture(s) using the System Preferences>Desktop & Screen Saver left panel "Folders" drop down "Pictures." Simply select the picture and it will automatically change. Survived multiple Restarts with this solution.

KinTheKnow wrote:

Ever since installing Big Sur, whenever I shut down and then restart my computer, the wallpaper changes from my selection back to the default. I am using an external display (1080p). Perhaps the new dynamic wallpapers are not meant for this resolution? I tried a still image wallpaper also and the same issue occurs. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is this a known issue?

Thank you,

DK

Let the computer sleep.

If you shut down a reboot takes you to the preboot partition which contains the code that handles the login for an encrypted drive, after that is successfully unlocked it is handed off to the main OS— it is here your user preferences are honored.

I swapped where the monitors were plugged in, and it's OK now.

@Joe7600

Same EXACT* issue is happening to me except I have 1 display connected.

For those thinking it's a display issue. I assure you it's not.

By any chance do you have 'auto log-in' enabled on your standard account ? Because I do.

I'm on the latest version of Big Sur 11.1 on Mac Mini M1.

Due to to the screensaver coming on randomly I had to disable 'fast user switching' and now this.

It's like they insist on showing us that dizzying Big Sur rainbow colored wallpaper even after we change it.

In addition to that the mouse scroll settings are not being saved on restart either but that's another issue.

Soo many annoying bugs on Big Sur. Excuse me while I throw up, I was looking at the default wallpaper for too long.

I have a Mac Mini that is displayless. I remotely connect to it from my other Macbook Pro or iPad with Screen Sharing software.

This same thing happens if I reboot the Mini.

I have a rotating background that changes every 30 minutes (photos), and have to go back into Desktop and Wallpaper settings to reset my preference.

It doesn't seem to be directly related to the hardware. The setting doesn't want to stick. I do not have the same issue on my MacBook Pro, also running Big Sur.

I have this same issue while using an external monitor with my MacBook Air running Big Sur. I tried the workaround that you mentioned, however, it did not solve the issue for me.

After turning the device on again (while not connected to the external monitor - workaround step 5), the wallpaper is set to the image that I selected. Once the external monitor is attached (workaround step 6), the MacBook desktop returns to the default wallpaper. When I disconnect the external monitor, the wallpaper returns to the previously selected wallpaper.

One point of detail that may prove helpful in finding a solution: my external monitor is set to be the primary display when attached. I am not sure if that is the cause, but thought it might be helpful information.

If anyone has found a solution, please let us know. I would love to stop changing my desktop wallpaper each day!

Cheers!

Incorrect.

I'm not even on a MacBook and this is happening to me on Big Sur 11.1

Mac Mini M1 connected via HDMI to a Sony Vizio 32 inch tv.

You guy's are not alone. Just know that.

I have a changing wallpaper issue in Big Sur (11.1) with two user accounts and two displays, when changing from a Standard account to my Admin account on my Mac Pro.

Anytime I start the Mac and log in to the Standard account everything is fine. When I change to Admin account the second display shows the colorful default wallpaper, that came with Big Sur and I have to change to my chosen dynamic wallpaper.

When I start the Mac and log in to my Admin account and change later to Standard account everything is right.

I didn't have an issue like this with Catalina, so maybe something is wrong with the handover of the wallpaper settings and I hope an update will fix this?

I submitted this as a bug when I was on the Big Sur beta . Apple replied to say it is "working as designed". Clearly that can't be right. And I can't do the 'disconnect the monitor' workaround, as I'm on a Mac mini. If I disconnect the monitor then I have no monitor.

I have same issue with my external monitors. The Wallpaper selection is not saved.

I plan to submit feedback here:

https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/new-form-response

I do not have auto-log-in enabled.

Try to delete the mentioned archive, it seems that in my system works after restarting one time for now. Perhaps next time will have not so lucky and default wallpaper will appears again but, let's see.