How To Change Default Apps On Mac

When you showtime get a Mac, you'll find that Apple tree has ready all of the default apps for mutual file types: Safari for websites, Preview for pictures, etc. In almost cases, these are fine, and you'll be happy plenty using them. But what if yous want to change the default apps on your Mac to something dissimilar?

Fortunately, it's easy enough to do. At that place are, however, a few different ways of doing it depending on what file type you want to open. Nosotros'll cover everything beneath.

Change the default app for specific file types

Unless you're looking to modify your default web browser or email customer (which we'll cover below), in that location'due south only one method y'all need to think when information technology comes to changing your default apps on a Mac.

Permit'southward say you have an .RTF file and desire to modify which app it opens in. By default, your Mac will open information technology with TextEdit, Apple'south built-in uncomplicated text-editing app. To change that, Ctrl+click the file in question, then click Get Info.

This will bring upwards a new window. Here, caput to the Open with section and choose your new app from the driblet-down list, then click Change All. Adjacent fourth dimension you go to open a file with the same extension, it will open with your new default app.

Alter your default spider web browser

Safari is Apple's own spider web browser, and it's set up as the default browser on your Mac by default. Given that it'due south made by Apple, it should exist no surprise that information technology puts a strong emphasis on privacy. But we've constitute that information technology'due south a fair corporeality slower than some of its rivals, and you may have a detail web browser you want to replace it with.

To switch your default web browser on your Mac computer, only open up up your System Preferences. In one case you lot've done this , click General. This option should be located in the top-left corner of the screen. Whorl a little, and around halfway down the page, you'll observe a note labeled Default spider web browser. Select the drop-downward arrow and pick a different option.

That's all y'all have to practice; no need to do anything else. The option you selected volition now be established as the new default. Now, whenever you click on a link, for instance, in an e-mail forwarded from a friend, y'all'll encounter this new default pop up instead.

Change your default email app

While we're on the email topic, you likewise have the opportunity to rapidly and easily swap your default electronic mail application on your Mac. If you're wondering how to do this, just follow these elementary instructions. Starting time, open your Apple Mail app. Scroll up to the menu bar at the height of the screen and select Mail > Preferences . At the superlative of the General tab, yous'll discover an entry tagged Default email reader. In one case yous're here, hit the driblet-down arrow, then pick the app you want.

If you're actively searching for a new and improved email app, we've rounded up your best options and then that you won't be hard-pressed for an Apple Mail alternate.