Stop your Mac wallpaper getting darker or lighter during the day

Why it happens

Many of Apple's wallpapers come in light and dark versions. Set to Dynamic, the picture follows the time of day, and set to Automatic it follows Light and Dark Mode. Either way it changes through the day unless you lock it to one look.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Wallpaper in the sidebar.

   Wallpaper

2. Look at the preview of your current wallpaper at the top. If it has a pop-up menu next to it, open it and choose Light (Still) or Dark (Still).

3. Or choose a different wallpaper below. A photo from the Pictures section, or a plain colour from Colors, never changes on its own.

   Wallpaper›Colors

4. Have more than one display? Pick each display at the top and set it the same way.

Still not fixed?

1. Wallpaper still switches at sunset? If it's set to Automatic, it follows Appearance. Choose Light or Dark in Appearance instead of Auto.

   Appearance

2. Is the whole screen getting warmer or yellower in the evening, not just the wallpaper? That's Night Shift. Change its schedule in Displays.

   Displays›Night Shift…

3. Screen getting dimmer or brighter by itself? Turn off Automatically adjust brightness in Displays.

   Displays›Automatically adjust brightness

4. Colours shifting slightly as the room light changes is True Tone. Turn it off in Displays if you'd rather they stayed fixed.

   Displays›True Tone

5. If the wallpaper still changes after you've picked a still one and restarted, contact Apple Support.