Big Sur Wallpaper Issue

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.

Doesn't solve the issue for me on the MBP 16" - it is so annoying...

In addition - the "Catalina" way to change the lock screen wallpaper is no longer working, even withy csrutil disable, I'm not able to change files in "Desktop Wallpapers" folder.

I'm having the exact same issue on my external display. KinTheKnow's answer didn't work for me at first. I followed the instructions he mentioned but then I had to access the settings again to change desktop wallpaper and now 2 windows popped up one on each screen to change wallpaper to each one.

Yep, the same issue. Obviously related to multiple displays and/or multiple desktop. I have two external displays at work and am using multiple desktops at home. Every time I get to work and open my MacBook, I find the wallpaper back to default.

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 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?

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.

@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 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.

No, I don't have 'auto log-in' enabled. Just 2 accounts (one admin, one standard), where I have to log-in with password.

As I told, only have problems when I log-in to Standard account first and then to my admin account, the other way around all is OK. So I really hope Apple can help out with an update to fix all these problems.

Anyway, I will try what "Marc-SmartFactory" wrote.

I deleted desktoppicture.db both in my admin and the other standard account like Marc-SmartFactory suggested above and it worked for me, the wallpaper stays like set before when changing accounts, at least the two times I tested it today.

But of course I still see the Big Sur rainbow wallpaper at log-in.

I have a Mac Mini connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display (primary) and an Apple LED Display. Never had this issue before Big Sur. I will reset the desktop picture and it will display correctly for several days and then BAM! the big red ugly default picture displays.

And, honestly folks, there are two issues here: 1: the software doesn't work right and it (at least for me) is a new issue specifically with Big Sur; and 2: How in the heck could Apple make something that horrendous as the default desktop? It's truly unpleasant and once I switch to my selected desktop picture, my eyes lag with all my rods and cones overloaded with that red monstrosity. Geez Apple, fix this thing now! Please!