Deleting Profile Picture in System Preferences

@JLGMD I first reset my Apple ID to the default 'pic' (plain initials on a flat gray background) via the iOS Contacts & Messages (Edit Name and Photo) tricks and I successfully stripped it from my macOS user via

dscl . delete /Users/<username> JPEGPhoto

unfortunately I noticed the pic appeared to linger indefinitely in System Preferences, too...

after some experimenting I was able to successfully rid my machine of my old Apple ID picture by

1. signing completely out of Apple ID/iCloud
2. rebooting into safe mode
3. rebooting back to normal
4. ... then signing back into my Apple ID/iCloud

it appears that the default initials 'image' is represented internally as the *absence* of any Apple ID pic and macOS improperly handles the deletion, instead falling back to whichever pic was set before; while I don't know exactly where said data is cached, it appears that signing out of the Apple ID + booting into safe mode is sufficient to purge the offending stale data.

best of luck!

Hello JLGMD,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

Based on what you mentioned, you want to remove the image used for macOS and your Apple ID. You shouldn't have to use Terminal to do this. Please review the links below.

• Change your Apple ID email, password, or profile picture.
• Select your Apple ID picture on Mac.

Best wishes!

go into System Preferences>Users & Groups. once there, hover over the profile pic. you will see "edit" appear on the bottom of the picture. click the picture and you will then be able to change it.