Do you want to change the default apps that are used by your Mac? Maybe you want to change the default web browser, or email app, or for a particular file type? No problem, we’ll show you how to change default apps in macOS.
It’s no surprise that Apple wants you to use its own apps and other software when you purchase a Mac. The same goes for iPhones and iPads since Apple’s apps are set as default apps on these devices. However, Apple still gives users the option to use a different app as the default app on macOS if that’s what they prefer. People who’re fairly new to the macOS ecosystem may have trouble finding these settings on their devices.
You can change the default browser, default mail app, and the default app that’s used to launch a specific file type stored in your system.
How to Change Default Web Browser on Mac
If you prefer using a third-party web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser, you can use the following steps to set it as the default web browser. Make sure you already have the browser installed before you proceed.
- Click on the Apple menu and choose "System Settings".
- Click "Desktop & Dock" in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down to find it.
- Scroll down on the right until you reach the "Default web browser" setting. Safari is selected by default, but you can click the pop-up menu next to it and choose the browser you want to use.
From now on, whenever you click on a web link in any of the apps installed on your Mac, your preferred browser will be automatically launched instead of Safari.
How to Change Default Mail App on Mac
First, you need to have your preferred third-party email app installed on your Mac to change the default app. The steps are fairly similar, except you’ll need to launch the stock Mail app once. Without further ado, let’s see what you need to do:
- Launch the Mail app on your Mac from the Dock. Click on "Mail" in the menu bar and choose "Settings" (this is labeled "Preferences" in older versions of macOS) from the dropdown menu. Note that Mail has to be set up with an email account to access these settings.
- This will open the settings window for the Mail app. Click the "General" tab, then choose the third-party app you use from the "Default email reader" pop-up menu and you’re good to go. If your app isn’t listed, choose "Select" from the menu and pick it from the file dialog that opens.
Now onwards, when you click on an email contact, your Mac will automatically launch the third-party email client instead of Apple Mail.
How to Change Default App for a File Type on Mac
Apple’s Preview app is used to open image files and PDF files on your Mac by default. Likewise, Apple prefers to launch their own software to open specific file types which can be changed if necessary. Just follow the steps below:
- Launch Finder on your Mac from the Dock and find a file with the file type that you want to change the default app for.
- Control-click or right-click on the file and choose "Get Info" to view file information. You can also select the file and choose File > Get Info.
- In the Info window, click the arrow next to "Open with". Click the pop-up menu and select the app you want to use for opening the file. To change the setting for all files using the same format, click "Change All".
You can repeat these steps to change the default app for other file types too.
There you go. You’ve successfully changed the default apps used by your macOS system.
Changing the default web browser can sometimes be a lot more straightforward. Depending on the browser you installed, you may be automatically prompted by the web browser to set it as the default one the first time you launch it. You can also access these options from the browser settings.
Note that all the default app changes that you make on your system only apply to the current user account. So, if you have multiple user accounts on your Mac, you’ll need to log in to those accounts manually and repeat these steps if you want to change them everywhere.
We’re glad that you were finally able to set your preferred apps and software as system defaults on your Mac. What all default apps did you change on your Mac using the steps we discussed here? Do share your experiences and let us know your valuable opinions in the comments section down below.
See also: Why I switched to MacOS after over a decade on Windows? (you must too!
