MacOS Sonoma Wallpapers not downloading

Hi there! I've updated my Mac Mini M1 to Sonoma and when I try to download the new wallpapers, it seems like they take a lot of time, more than 20-30 minutes. While waiting, I noticed that for some reason it stopped the downloading process. Is there anything I can do about this? The Mac is up-to-date, I was on the beta version but not anymore and the device is not going to sleep while downloading the wallpaper.

Somehow, I have managed to download just 1 which took around an hour or so.

The home broadband is high-speed and I don't think there is an issue here.

Looking forward to your replies.

Thank you in advance!

Mac mini, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 4, 2023 12:48 AM

Top-ranking reply

larry baltz

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Dec 14, 2023 2:30 PM

This is the way. I turned on my VPN and the wallpapers DL in about 10 seconds. I'm using Express VPN. This seems to indicate that some ISPs may be blocking these DLs. Optimum (ISP) blocks images in text messages when their system is busy. I have to turn on a VPN to send an image in the Messages app...

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54 replies

stu623

Level 1

12 points

Nov 14, 2023 3:25 AM in response to cretugabriel25

My macbook air 2023 M2 has same issues. i've successfullyt d/l a couple, but its RARE...it's not my internet...

also, i have (3) apple TVs and they download a bunch of these without any issues whatsoever, always in the background.

this is i also notice that if i can get a new one to "stick", the next time i shut my laptop all the way down and bring it back up, the new one is gone...

Jan 29, 2024 1:49 AM in response to cretugabriel25

I have found a workaround.

I had the same problem. I was able to download only one wallpaper. I have quite slow internet connection and also have VPN on the laptop which is forced on me. I have selected "Shuffle Earth" and over 2 days I have managed to download 4 more wallpapers. It's not the best solution but I guess I can always switch back to single wallpaper and manually remove the ones I won't use. If I manage to find their location ;)

Hope it helps.

zenbum1

Level 1

4 points

May 31, 2024 6:39 PM in response to cretugabriel25

This worked partially for me. M2 Pro MacMini, Sonoma 14.5

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/how-to/fix-cant-change-wallpaper-on-macos-sonoma/

Oct 18, 2023 1:10 AM in response to Syed_Ali_Raza

For some of us, it seems like we were able to download at least one wallpaper; nevertheless, I have submitted the problem to Apple Feedback as @dialabrain mentioned. We will wait for the next update. :) In case some of you managed to fix this, mention the fix here. I will try to airdrop the file from macbook air to mac mini and see if this bypasses the download phase.

MRYFLYGUY

Level 2

231 points

Oct 21, 2023 8:37 AM in response to MikaNovotna

Too many straws in the well! Similar to the Colorado River basin. The myriad of client configurations in the wild consistently results in an unpredictable distribution (and success) rate. I'm sure Apple monitors, adjusts and throttles the GA servers but major releases are now expected to have issues. It's not rocket science..

Apr 4, 2024 6:45 PM in response to cretugabriel25

This has been going on since the day they released these wallpapers, so, over two years ago now. It's definitely NOT you or anything you are doing. I downloaded one single wallpaper when they were first released, and to this day my machine will not download another. This is extremely poor on the part of Apple but I doubt they are listening.

Oct 4, 2023 1:03 AM in response to cretugabriel25

P.S.: Also, I noticed that on another Macbook Air M1, the new wallpapers are downloading just fine, fast.

Oct 4, 2023 2:05 AM in response to cretugabriel25

It seems like, when the downloading process reaches around 85-90% it stops and shows the Download button

Oct 6, 2023 1:50 AM in response to cretugabriel25

This is a tiny screenshot on the Picture that is about to be completed.

This is how it looks after the "completion".

Oct 6, 2023 1:16 PM in response to cretugabriel25

Hello Apple, are you going to do something? Same issue here!

Oct 14, 2023 4:21 AM in response to BartekAZI

Same issue for me.Wallpapers not downloading.Apple pls look into the issue and provide fix asap.This is disgusting.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Oct 14, 2023 4:35 AM in response to nabajyoti226

Apple is not here. Feel free to send them feedback about the issue.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Oct 17, 2023 11:17 PM in response to cretugabriel25

My downloading is not even starting lol.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Oct 18, 2023 1:34 AM in response to cretugabriel25

cretugabriel25 wrote:

I have submitted the problem to Apple Feedback as @dialabrain mentioned.

Good idea. 😎

Oct 21, 2023 7:09 AM in response to MRYFLYGUY

Ridiculous. Apple is a not a small time developer that can launch a product and roll it out bit by bit because of server saturation. Contextualize your answer, man.

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MacOS Sonoma Wallpapers not downloading