Login screen macOS Big Sur

How do you change the login screen on macOS Big Sur?

Posted on Feb 4, 2021 6:37 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 4, 2021 7:56 PM

Hi Pip-Poppit,


As mentioned by leroydouglas, there is no setting that can change this. However, the login screen will match your desktop background in these circumstances:


  • You selected your user account from the login screen, and
  • If FileVault is on and you're using an Intel-based Mac, this isn't the first time at the login screen after powering on or restarting.


Now, if you really want to change the login screen in macOS Big Sur, it is technically possible... however, the following consequences will apply:


  • You'll have to modify the System volume. This has become particularly complicated in macOS Big Sur, but it's still possible.
  • On Macs with Apple Silicon, you'll be forced to sacrifice some of the strong boot policy protections that are normally in place. Restoring these protections will cause the normal login screen background to return.
  • System Preferences -> Software Update will download the entire 12 GB macOS Big Sur installer when it's time to update, not just the usual 3 GB delta update.
  • The custom login screen background will be lost after the next update or upgrade.


If you still want to change the login screen background, let me know and I'll post the steps here.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 4, 2021 7:56 PM in response to Pip-Poppit

Hi Pip-Poppit,


As mentioned by leroydouglas, there is no setting that can change this. However, the login screen will match your desktop background in these circumstances:


  • You selected your user account from the login screen, and
  • If FileVault is on and you're using an Intel-based Mac, this isn't the first time at the login screen after powering on or restarting.


Now, if you really want to change the login screen in macOS Big Sur, it is technically possible... however, the following consequences will apply:


  • You'll have to modify the System volume. This has become particularly complicated in macOS Big Sur, but it's still possible.
  • On Macs with Apple Silicon, you'll be forced to sacrifice some of the strong boot policy protections that are normally in place. Restoring these protections will cause the normal login screen background to return.
  • System Preferences -> Software Update will download the entire 12 GB macOS Big Sur installer when it's time to update, not just the usual 3 GB delta update.
  • The custom login screen background will be lost after the next update or upgrade.


If you still want to change the login screen background, let me know and I'll post the steps here.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Login screen macOS Big Sur

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