Change Wallpaper

What the Wallpaper Deployment Worklet does

This Automox Worklet™ deploys a custom desktop wallpaper to macOS endpoints. The Worklet copies the specified image file to /Library/Desktop Pictures/ and uses AppleScript to set it as the desktop background for the currently logged-in user.

You specify the wallpaper image by setting the filename variable or by uploading the image as a Worklet file attachment. The Worklet supports common image formats including JPG and PNG.

Why deploy wallpapers through Automox

Inconsistent desktop branding creates confusion about whether endpoints are properly managed. Users may need IT contact information, security reminders, or company logos visible on their desktop, but manually configuring this across hundreds of endpoints is time-consuming and error-prone. Corporate branding extends to endpoint desktops. A standardized wallpaper displaying your company logo, IT contact information, or security reminders reinforces organizational identity and provides users with useful information at once.

Deploying wallpapers through Automox provides centralized control over desktop appearance. You can update the wallpaper across all managed endpoints by modifying a single Worklet policy, rather than manually configuring each system.

Some organizations use wallpapers to communicate important messages, such as upcoming maintenance windows, policy changes, or emergency contact information. This Worklet enables rapid deployment of such visual communications.

How wallpaper deployment works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet immediately exits with a non-compliant status to trigger remediation. This design allows the wallpaper to be applied on every Worklet execution, which is useful for enforcing the wallpaper setting or reapplying after users change it.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet copies the wallpaper image to /Library/Desktop Pictures/ using scp. It identifies the currently logged-in user via scutil and uses osascript to execute an AppleScript command that tells Finder to set the desktop picture to the deployed image file.

Wallpaper deployment requirements

• macOS endpoint (workstation or server)

• Wallpaper image file attached to the Worklet (JPG, PNG, or other supported format)

• Set the filename variable to match your uploaded image file name

• A user must be logged in for the wallpaper to be applied (the Worklet targets the current console user)

Expected desktop appearance after deployment

After running, your endpoint will display the deployed wallpaper image on the desktop for the currently logged-in user. The currently logged-in user sees the new wallpaper on their desktop immediately. The image file remains in /Library/Desktop Pictures/ for persistence across user sessions and reboots.

If users change their wallpaper manually, running the Worklet again reapplies the corporate wallpaper. Schedule the Worklet to run periodically if you need to enforce wallpaper compliance.

How to validate change wallpaper changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot macOS endpoint and review evaluation output for change wallpaper.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as exit.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as scp, sudo, exit, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for change wallpaper. This supports repeatable personalization workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as exit and remediation operations such as scp, sudo, exit. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.