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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. Anonymous
    2025-06-19T08:39:34+00:00

    I have EXACTLY the same issue (same OS, versions, etc.) and have tried all the suggested solutions -- but none of them have worked.

    Any other ideas????

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-19T09:08:58+00:00

    There is no folder called Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2, it called com.microsoft.teams2.respawn and there is no Blob folder anywhere within.

    I did find this folder: /Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.oneauth/BlobStore/

    Please see the attached screenshot to view its contents. Can this folder be trashed? Are any of these files likely to contain the offending image?

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-19T12:43:20+00:00

    There is no Containers folder in /Library or ~/Library. The only BlobStore folder I could find is at

    ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.oneauth/BlobStore

    /Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.oneauth/BlobStore

    I do not have azure storage license. Also, this issue is specific to this laptop. When I use the webversion of teams or use teams on a different laptop, the issue does not exist.

    --

    B

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-19T12:50:45+00:00

    @Liptzin Howard,

    I do know of one other person who has had this issue who found an extreme solution. He backed up all data (not using time machine); formatted his hard drive; reinstalled MacOS; and finally restored his data!

    I do not have this luxury of taking such a drastic step. He was frustrated enough to take the drastic step. I am still hoping that BryceSor or someone from Microsoft can help.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-06-19T13:16:40+00:00

    Hi Banu, thanks for that info -- although I could go that drastic route, I am not ready to dedicate that amount of time to this single issue in Teams. For the time being, I can live with my stuck background image, but it makes me angry that there is still no easier solution to this vexing issue.

    Like you, I'm going to wait it out!

    -H

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