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How to Remove Persistent Custom Background Image in Teams on macOS? Unresolved Despite Support and Community Fixes

Anonymous
2025-05-18T15:33:24+00:00

I’m struggling with a maddening issue in Microsoft Teams (desktop app, latest version) on macOS (Sequoia 15.4.1): a custom background image I uploaded persists during calls, even after selecting “None” or deleting it within Teams. This is critical for my business, as it disrupts branding in customer calls. The issue is unique to Teams (not Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, or Webex) and affects multiple users, including a colleague and others on Reddit (see: https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftTeams/comments/1ka6hdr/teams\_for\_mac\_custom\_background\_image\_wont\_go\_away/).

Details:

  • Issue: After uploading a custom background, it sticks and remains visible despite choosing “None” or deleting it in Teams. The web version works fine.
  • Environment: Latest Teams build, macOS Sequoia, fully updated.
  • Troubleshooting Tried (via Microsoft Support, TrackingID#2504100040009547, and Reddit):
    • Cleared Keychain Access (com.microsoft.oneauth): No entries found.
    • Ran Terminal commands:
      • rm -rf ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams
      • rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2
    • Second command fails: “Operation not permitted.”
    • Checked ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/Backgrounds/Uploads: Folder doesn’t exist.
    • Uninstalled/reinstalled Teams multiple times, tried clean boots, new user profiles. - Attempted to collect PROD-WebLogs (Help > Collect support files): No folder created, no “Downloading web logs” banner.
    • Uploaded screen recording and MSTeams Support Logs via SharePoint, shown issue in screen share.
    • Tested on another Mac: Issue absent, but multiple users affected suggests a Teams bug.
    • Tried Reddit suggestions (e.g., Microsoft forum fixes for background storage): Specified folders don’t exist.
  • Microsoft’s Response: After a month (April 10–May 13, 2025), their engineering team called it “device-specific” (Mac system/cache), pointed to an unhelpful Apple support article, and archived the case. This ignores evidence of a Teams issue (multiple users, Teams-only problem).

I’m beyond frustrated with Microsoft’s repetitive, ineffective support and refusal to acknowledge a likely Teams bug. This isn’t my first Teams UX issue—scheduling in-person meetings is another headache, costing me a 40-mile trip due to confusing Outlook/Teams integration. I’ve spent weeks on this ticket, so please don’t suggest “open a ticket” unless you have a specific escalation path.

Questions:

  1. Have other Mac users hit this persistent background issue? Any workarounds?
  2. Has anyone generated PROD-WebLogs?
  3. Microsoft engineers: Why does Teams retain deleted backgrounds, unlike other apps, and why do logs fail to generate?

Any insights or fixes would be a lifesaver. This is eroding trust in Teams as a reliable tool.

Thanks

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams for business | Meetings and calls | Change backgrounds

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  1. BryceSor 4,600 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-05-19T03:25:10+00:00

    Hi Banu Ramamurthy,

    I'm not a Mac user nor do I work for Microsoft, but have you tried using

    sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams

    • rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2
    • Second command fails: “Operation not permitted.”

    Try sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2

    When you go to My Account - Devices under your org could one of the other computers listed there have the background file you are looking for.

    When searching for the background file name is it found on any of the computers?

    Using sudo is like an admin on Windows and files deleted this way will be permanent

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-19T13:21:33+00:00

    Hello BryceSor,

    Thak you for reading and responding to my post. I have tried your suggestion as well and no joy. I also overcame this error by temporarily disabling SIP (System Integration Protection) on my mac and enabling it back again(https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/208478/how-do-i-disable-system-integrity-protection-sip-aka-rootless-on-macos). Still no joy.

    Regards,

    Banu R

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  3. BryceSor 4,600 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-05-20T07:09:39+00:00

    sorry about the late reply.

    It might be a bug, I am hoping to hear back soon so at this stage I haven't got an answer to correct your issue. As soon as I hear something I will post back here but can't give any timing on it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-20T07:24:07+00:00

    Thank you!

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  5. BryceSor 4,600 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-05-20T08:00:01+00:00

    Can you enter this folder Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2

    Inside that folder there is a file called Blob which maybe where : Microsoft Teams can store background images in Blob storage, particularly when managed centrally for an organization

    If you have the right license, you can also see it in Azure, it will be interesting if the background image is there. - Navigate to Storage Accounts > Select your storage account > Blob Containers.

    There is also this Azure Storage Explorer – cloud storage management | Microsoft Azure but again if you have the right licence.

    While in Teams press Option + Command + Shift + 1 to generate PROD-WebLogs, use the number on top of the keyboard.

    Just a couple of things to check while we are waiting for an answer to your issue.

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