How to stop the wallpaper tinting windows on a Mac
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Appearance, and switch off Tint window background with wallpaper color. Window areas such as toolbars and status bars then no longer take on colours from the wallpaper.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Appearance
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
macOS lets colours from the wallpaper subtly tint certain window areas. With a strongly coloured wallpaper, windows can look slightly pink, green or blue. If you want neutral windows, switch the tint off.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Appearance in the sidebar
Appearance is below Accessibility.
Switch off Tint window background with wallpaper color
It is under the heading Windows, below Sidebar icon size. In the picture it is on.
Good to know
How much see-through effect the system uses is a different setting: how to increase contrast and reduce transparency on a Mac.
In short: System Settings, Appearance, Tint window background with wallpaper color off.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.