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User profile for user: ddokoto
ddokoto Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

How can you change the startup (login) wallpaper on Big Sur?

All the answers I've reviewed confuse an individual's desktop picture with the login wallpaper showing multiple logins. Apparently not an issue with a single login since the startup (lock screen) for the single user is the same as the user's desktop picture. But with multiple users, the graphic is shown from /System/Library/Desktop Pictures/Big Sur Graphic.heic (not like any user's desktop picture).


This graphic should be made customizable. It is an ugly orange swirl of colors now. At least something more subdued should replace it as the default.


Since "Macintosh HD" is a readonly volume, one can't easily change this file directly.


How can you change the startup (login) wallpaper on Big Sur?

Posted on Jun 25, 2021 9:35 AM

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User profile for user: jeffreythefrog
jeffreythefrog
User level: Level 6
11,996 points

Posted on Jun 25, 2021 11:49 AM

the OP is asking about a multi-user setup. if they were not, your solution would work, however, i would have given him this suggestion instead.


if you are the sole user (not even a guest account) AND file vault is turned off you can go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options and set "Display login window as" to "List of users". then your login screen matches your desktop background.


if you are using file vault or have multiple users, the above will not work.  if that's your situation, you will need to wait for apple to address this. it may be worth your time to send feedback directly to apple. Feedback - macOS - Apple. 

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User profile for user: jeffreythefrog
jeffreythefrog
User level: Level 6
11,996 points

Jun 25, 2021 11:49 AM in response to Old Toad

the OP is asking about a multi-user setup. if they were not, your solution would work, however, i would have given him this suggestion instead.


if you are the sole user (not even a guest account) AND file vault is turned off you can go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options and set "Display login window as" to "List of users". then your login screen matches your desktop background.


if you are using file vault or have multiple users, the above will not work.  if that's your situation, you will need to wait for apple to address this. it may be worth your time to send feedback directly to apple. Feedback - macOS - Apple. 

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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
207,823 points

Jun 25, 2021 11:44 AM in response to ddokoto

Here's how to change the login screen on Big Sur:


  1. System Preferences > Users & Groups.
  2. Open lock to make changes.
  3. Right click on user in left column > Advanced Options.
  4. Copy UUID value.
  5. Go to /Library/Caches/Desktop Pictures.
  6. If it doesn't exist create Desktop Pictures folder.
  7. Inside Desktop Pictures create folder with UUID value as name.
  8. Right click on folder > Get Info.
  9. Open lock to make changes.
  10. Grant permission to Read & Write to user, admin, everyone.
  11. Make sure FileVault and Guest user are deactivated.
  12. Change desktop wallpaper.
  13. Restart computer.



Big Sur will now always create a lockscreen.png file in the UUID folder matching the current wallpaper.


NOTE: this only works if there is only one user account on the Mac and the Guest account is disabled.


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User profile for user: ddokoto
ddokoto Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jun 25, 2021 3:31 PM in response to jeffreythefrog

I did send feedback to Apple. Hope they address it. Not a hard problem. I didn't think there was an answer in 11.4. Thanks for confirming.


Despite stating the single user answer was not applicable to the multiple user scenario, of course that response was given. People can't resist posting it. If that scenario fits your situation, great. Just not what my query was about. Cheers.

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How can you change the startup (login) wallpaper on Big Sur?

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