File Name Shows on Custom Desktop Picture

[Xairbusdriver]

I finally got around to see if I could get rid of the text that always shows when I use a custom image as a Desktop Picture. I'm still on Ventura, still looking for a "roundtoit" for that update task, but I think this method will work for most any MacOS.

The fix is extremely simple. The 'text' is actually the 'path' to that image file, ifor example:
"bootVolume/Library/Desktop Pictures/fileName.type" that will appear in quite large System Font in the middle of you screen.

It does require using Terminal. Apparently, Apple doesn't you thinking THEY had provided the image?

To STOP the text that displays when you have added an image to your /Library/Desktop Pictures folder:
1. Open Terminal (usually in your Utilities folder)
2. Copy the following text:
   

Code: [Select]

defaults write com.apple.dock desktop-picture-show-debug-text -bool FALSE  && killall Dock3. Paste that copied text in Terminal at the (probably) flashing 'cursor'
4. Press Return
5. Quite Terminal (command-Q)

If you eventually long for the return of that very distracting text on your beautiful image, simply copy that same text above but change the FALSE to TRUE, as in:
   

Code: [Select]

defaults write com.apple.dock desktop-picture-show-debug-text -bool TRUE  && killall Dock
Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255241650

[Paddy]

I have never had that problem (touch wood) - in fact, I just went and changed the default for Sequoia to a custom pic to see if it would do that, and nope. No text. Phew.

It has been an issue for at least a few others though: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255561698?sortBy=rank and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253963526?sortBy=rank (which has your solution - in reverse)

But what on earth turns it on in the first place, I wonder, if there is no user-accessible system pref to do it?

One interesting note - Apple keeps moving the desktop picture folder. I still haven't found THEIR desktop pic folder for Sequoia - it's not in the same location as for Ventura. (I found the default photo, but not any of the others on offer) In Sequoia, the user's own Desktop pics (after being chosen from wherever you had stored them,) are copied to user/Library/Application Support/com.apple.desktop.photos

I have SO much cruft from multiple updated operating systems over the years, that I found OLD desktop pictures (the system ones - from 2009 through 2017) - not on offer any more in "Wallpaper." That one is in /Library/Desktop Pictures.

BTW - I wouldn't rush to update to Sequoia if I were you. It's the buggiest update I've seen in eons. My M2 Macbook Air is mostly fine - but the 2019 i9 iMac? Not good. Not necessarily Apple issues - one of them involves printing from Adobe Acrobat Pro (it's a documented issue - a "util" file quits in a hissy fit every time) and various other things - mostly system extensions - that just pop up as having "unexpectedly quit". Granted, I normally don't update all that quickly - I did this time because I was going to be helping a friend with a new Mac and decided I'd better have at least some familiarity. I loath "Passwords" - it has caused me to spend hours getting an investment account working again after it just "forgot" the authenticator connection (DO NOT use its authenticator if you value your sanity - use Google Authenticator. Microsoft's authenticator is also a problem child, according to the investment company). I have now at least partially disabled it by turning it off in iCloud, but it still parks its stupid nose in there. I have and love 1Password - there should be an option to disable Apple's Passwords if you don't want it. /rant

[Xairbusdriver]

Apple seems to want us to have less and less control of our 'real' computers. Part of the move to 'mobile' devices, I assume.

Being retired, I decided I didn't need to have my iMac open and ready to go at 6:30am. Especially if I had left a YouTube tab open in Safari, which is set to "Play when tab is opened". I'll just set an alarm if I need to wake up, thank you very much.

That's when I (thankfully) remembered that since Ventura, Apple has removed the simply scheduling portion of Energy Prefs. Actually, they have completely changed "System Preferences"; it's now "System Settings". In order to change the Startup/Shutdown times we must now use Terminal. And even then, we have to remember to add "sudo" before entering the required commands. And you should also remember that you won't be asked for your password directly, you will just see a flashing cursor waiting for you to type the password. Of course, you will remember from your last use of Terminal, you will not actually see characters appear as you type. You can never be too careful if your cats on on your shoulder!!

Fortunately, there are many sites that provide instructions, explanations and even copy and paste code. I'll list a few in a new Post (for some reason, a search here fails to find that post).

What ever happened to the "Friendly User Interface" Department?!

I'll likely never see Sonoma since it may be at least next year when I replace my 2017 iMac.

[Paddy]

Funny - I never shut any of my Macs down. They just go to sleep. I suspect that the vast majority of folks just do this so Apple decided to simplify the energy preference options. (there are lots of complaints about it being missing in a thread on the Apple forums, which of course, Apple never reads) BUT - Onyx has the scheduling options under its Utilities->Scheduling, which is much easier and friendlier and less likely to cause a disaster than Terminal. Onyx is still a very useful little free app.

Re: the terminal - as far as I know, that's not changed any. Same as always. (?) Never could see