By default, macOS is designed to open files with Apple’s own built-in applications. When you double-click a PDF, it opens in Preview. When you click an email address, it launches Apple Mail. When you open an MP4 video, it loads in QuickTime Player. While these default apps are well-designed, they might not be your preferred tools. You might want to use Adobe Acrobat for PDFs, Google Chrome for browsing, or VLC Media Player for videos.
If you are tired of constantly right-clicking files and selecting “Open With,” you can easily change the default applications on your Mac so that your preferred software opens automatically every time.
How to Change the Default Web Browser and Email App
Changing your default browser (from Safari to Chrome or Firefox) and email client (from Apple Mail to Outlook or Spark) is handled directly in your Mac’s system settings.
- Click the Apple Logo () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings… (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
- In the left sidebar, click on Desktop & Dock.
- Scroll down the right-side panel until you find the Default web browser dropdown menu.
- Click the menu and select your preferred browser.
Note: To change the default email client, you must open the Apple Mail app itself. Go to Mail > Settings in the top menu bar, click the General tab, and choose your preferred app from the “Default email reader” dropdown.
How to Change the Default App for Specific File Types
If you want all .mp4 video files to open in VLC instead of QuickTime, or all .jpg images to open in Photoshop instead of Preview, you need to change the file association. This process is different from changing your browser.
- Open Finder and locate a file of the type you want to change (e.g., a video file named
holiday.mp4). - Right-click (or control-click) on the file.
- Select Get Info from the context menu. A long, narrow information panel will appear.
- Look for a section labeled Open with: (you may need to click the small arrow next to it to expand the section).
- Click the dropdown menu showing the current default app (e.g., QuickTime Player) and select the app you want to use instead (e.g., VLC).
- Crucial Step: Just below the dropdown menu, click the button that says Change All…
- macOS will display a warning asking if you are sure you want to change this setting for all files with this extension. Click Continue.
Now, every time you double-click any .mp4 file anywhere on your Mac, it will immediately open in your newly selected application.
Reverting to the Original Defaults
If you install a new app and it aggressively takes over opening your files, or if you simply decide you liked Apple’s default apps better, reverting is easy. Just follow the exact same steps in the “Get Info” menu, select the original Apple application from the dropdown list, and click “Change All” once again.
Conclusion
Your Mac should conform to your workflow, not the other way around. By taking five minutes to define your default applications, you eliminate the daily friction of manual right-clicks and create a significantly smoother computing experience.