diff --git a/src/generic/splitter.cpp b/src/generic/splitter.cpp
index 0a8512278c..dc4732baf2 100644
--- a/src/generic/splitter.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/splitter.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
     #include "wx/settings.h"
 #endif
 
+#ifdef __WXOSX__
+    #include "wx/osx/private/available.h"
+#endif
+
 #include "wx/renderer.h"
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -175,11 +179,23 @@ void wxSplitterWindow::OnPaint(wxPaintEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 {
     wxPaintDC dc(this);
 #ifdef __WXOSX__
-    // as subpanels might have a transparent background we must erase the background
-    // at least on OSX, otherwise traces of the sash will remain
-    // test with: splitter sample->replace right window
-    dc.Clear();
-#endif
+  #if __MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_16
+    if ( WX_IS_MACOS_AVAILABLE(10, 16) )
+    {
+        // Nothing to do: since macOS 10.14, views are layer-backed or using a shared
+        // layer and explicitly clearing the background isn't needed. This only
+        // started mattering here with macOS 11 (aka 10.16 when built with older SDK),
+        // where we must avoid explicitly painting window backgrounds
+    }
+    else
+  #endif
+    {
+        // as subpanels might have a transparent background we must erase the background
+        // at least on OSX, otherwise traces of the sash will remain
+        // test with: splitter sample->replace right window
+        dc.Clear();
+    }
+#endif // __WXOSX__
 
     DrawSash(dc);
 }
diff --git a/src/osx/carbon/frame.cpp b/src/osx/carbon/frame.cpp
index 67d8616303..25ee3616a2 100644
--- a/src/osx/carbon/frame.cpp
+++ b/src/osx/carbon/frame.cpp
@@ -129,7 +129,6 @@ void wxFrame::PositionStatusBar()
 // Responds to colour changes, and passes event on to children.
 void wxFrame::OnSysColourChanged(wxSysColourChangedEvent& event)
 {
-    SetBackgroundColour(wxSystemSettings::GetColour(wxSYS_COLOUR_APPWORKSPACE));
     Refresh();
 
 #if wxUSE_STATUSBAR
diff --git a/src/osx/nonownedwnd_osx.cpp b/src/osx/nonownedwnd_osx.cpp
index 470b8ea7ca..81938b9a92 100644
--- a/src/osx/nonownedwnd_osx.cpp
+++ b/src/osx/nonownedwnd_osx.cpp
@@ -152,8 +152,6 @@ bool wxNonOwnedWindow::Create(wxWindow *parent,
     wxWindowCreateEvent event(this);
     HandleWindowEvent(event);
 
-    SetBackgroundColour(wxSystemSettings::GetColour( wxSYS_COLOUR_APPWORKSPACE ));
-
     if ( parent )
         parent->AddChild(this);