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In an effort to locate where the currently displayed desktop picture is stored, I found and ran a terminal command that now displays the desktop picture’s location path across the center of my screen which I wasn’t expecting. It’s now permanently fixed on top of my desktop image and I don’t know how to remove it. Here’s the terminal command I ran:

sqlite3 -readonly ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/desktoppicture.db \
    'SELECT * FROM data ORDER BY rowID DESC LIMIT 1;'

Though the path rendered across the screen seems “baked into” the image, the path changes when you change the wallpaper. I’ve added screen grabs to illustrate the issue.

I contacted Apple support and eventually reached a rep who focuses on Terminal issues, but they weren’t able to resolve my problem. They suggested I re-install the OS, which I’ve done, but the problem persists.

I’m currently running Ventura 13.4.1.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

enter image description here

enter image description here

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    There’s something missing here. I can’t see how a SQL command to read the contents of a database will change how a desktop wallpaper is rendered.
    – Allan
    Commented Jul 13, 2023 at 18:53
  • As Allan said, we seem to miss something here. Did you run other commands as well? Can you add a screenshot showing the issue?
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Jul 13, 2023 at 18:56
  • Try just deleting the desktoppicture.db file and see what happens. Most likely the bizarre effect will stop and the .db file will be automatically recreated. If you’re a belt and suspenders person, you should make a copy of the file somewhere first.
    – IconDaemon
    Commented Jul 13, 2023 at 19:25
  • Though the path rendered across the screen seems “baked into” the image, the path changes when you change the wallpaper. I’ve added a screen grab to illustrate the issue. As to other commands… I only ran the command noted above and nothing else. The Apple rep had me try some .exit types of commands after, and even re-ran the initial command with other ending commands to try and stop it.
    – 8tracker
    Commented Jul 13, 2023 at 19:48
  • I tried deleting the desktoppicture.db as suggested and it didn't solve the issue. Thanks for the suggestion.
    – 8tracker
    Commented Jul 13, 2023 at 20:05

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Those screenshots you added are extremely helpful in identifying the problem. I recognise the drop-shadow on the text!

This is the result of enabling the desktop-picture-show-debug-text option of the Dock.

Delete this setting to reset it:

defaults delete com.apple.dock desktop-picture-show-debug-text && killall Dock

This cannot be the result of running the sqlite3 command given.

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    That did it! It’s gone. Thank you so much.
    – 8tracker
    Commented Jul 14, 2023 at 1:14

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