Custom Login Screen Background

[psherotov]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on a custom desktop wallpaper and have learned a lot from reading older posts on here for it. 

My next question, or a second part of this project would involve using the same wallpaper as a login background. We currently AD bind our macs, if that's relevant.

I have made the wallpaper 4480x2250 (same as Apple wallpapers). DPI 300. 

Any thoughts? Also, the simpler the better and to avoid me asking dumb follow-up questions, please provide explicit steps to accomplishing the solution :-)

Thanks!

Phil

[AJPinto · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately this is not possible any more, at least through any methods you could automate. The MacOS Login Screen Window background image is protected by SIP. To change it you need to disable SIP (done in recovery), then you can modify/replace the image. Once done it's strongly advised to re-enable SIP (done in recovery). Apple will also replace the file with OS updates, so you will need to repeat this very manual process.

[psherotov]

Thanks for the info. That's too bad. Does Jamf Connect allow custom login screens? I thought I hear that somewhere. Like most everybody else, we're going to have to move away from AD binding.

[AJPinto]

Yes, JAMF Connect does allow custom background images. JAMF Connect more or less runs on top of the macOS Login Window.

You will find life much easier once AD binding and mobile accounts are gone.

https://learn.jamf.com/bundle/jamf-connect-documentation-current/page/Custom_Branding.html

[psherotov]

I can't really knock AD Binding--it's been pretty stable for us for a looong time and allowed a convenient way for users to have access to the network home folders. For context, we're a K12 school, so most devices never leave and we have 3 iMac labs. But nevertheless, I agree that we're going to have to change with the times.