robni7 / loginwallchanger

An AppleScript applet to help you install a custom login window wallpaper on macOS Catalina (& now Big Sur).

CatalinaLoginWallChanger

This applet will help you install a custom login window wallpaper. This is done by renaming the standard Catalina wallpaper to Catalina-dynamic and replacing it by an image file of your choice.

Note: A side effect of this method is that the chosen wallpaper will also be the default wallpaper for new users.

On Catalina, you will need to disable System Integrity Protection in order for this applet to work.
On Big Sur, you will need to disable System Integrity Protection and Sealed System Volume in order for this applet to work. Please make sure you are also aware of the implications this may have on your system.

Use at your own risk. Be sure to have a back-up of your system before proceeding.

Version 1.5, by robni7. See code.txt for the source AppleScript code.

How to use:
Dowload the files by using the green download button -> Download ZIP or find the newest package in the right sidebar. After you have unpacked the ZIP, launch CatalinaLoginWallChanger.app. You may have to control-click and choose "open" to open the applet.

loginwallchanger's Issues

Not compatible with Big Sur

Need to 1) update the mv and cp paths, 2) check whether this method even still works after the update.

I have no macs running macOS 11 at the moment, so I am not able to test this for now.

Add ability to restore original image

Add a button somewhere in the process.
Would check if Catalina-dynamic.heic exists (which is the original but backed up) and mv to Catalina.heic again (while deleting or archiving custom old Catalina.heic)

Reboot commands not working correctly

I know how to fix this, but I'm going to sleep now.

Do not reopen applet after reboot

1. The applet will no longer be needed
2. The system plays an alert sound out of nowhere

Running applet for a second time deletes original Catalina wallpaper

sudo mv overwrites Catalina-dynamic.heic with what was previously set to Catalina.heic
Needs to check if Catalina-dynamic.heic already exists.