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I tried to delete files in the default desktop picture directory (/System/Library/Desktop Pictures) on macOS 10.15 Catalina with sudo permission but failed.

$ pwd
/System/Library/Desktop Pictures

$ sudo rm *.heic
Password:
rm: cannot remove 'Catalina Clouds.heic': Operation not permitted

Is it possible to solve this problem?

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    How is this a 'problem'? Why do you need to delete them? Just don't use them. – benwiggy Nov 19 at 7:36
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    @benwiggy These wallpapers are taking ~1GB space and I don't need them – Teddy C Nov 19 at 7:40
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    The entire system is only c. 12Gb. If you were to remove all the files that you personally are not going to use, you might save 6Gb at most. I know Apple sells stuff with 128 Gb, but if you need more, then you can use Cloud services or a USB low-profile drive. – benwiggy Nov 19 at 7:45
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As a general rule I do not recommend deleting system files, however, if you really want to remove the default wallpapers you can do the following:

  1. Boot to macOS Recovery by pressing ⌘R when booting the Mac.

  2. Using Terminal, from the Utilities menu, use the following commands:

    cd /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/System/Library/Desktop\ Pictures
rm *.heic
reboot
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Catalina now installs /System as part of a read-only volume, so it cannot be altered whilst in use.

You can modify or delete those files when booted to Recovery, but bear in mind that Apple may well restore them in an update to the OS.

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  • You said "Catalina now installs /System as a read-only volume, so it cannot be altered.", well/System is a directory/folder not a volume as you so state, as Macintosh HD is the volume which is mounted at / and it can be altered! -- It can be altered easily from Terminal while booted to macOS Recovery or from a normal boot if SIP has been disabled and the volume remounted with sudo mount -uw /. Your answer is completely false and should be deleted! – user3439894 Nov 20 at 5:28
  • ... or edited if someone is willing to do so. – ankii Nov 20 at 7:36
  • ... or slightly amended to improve fastidiousness. Whether those actions are done 'easily' is subjective, perhaps. – benwiggy Nov 20 at 11:24

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