How Do You Change the Default ‘Open With’ Setting on a Mac?

Changing the app your Mac uses to open files isn’t as tricky as you might think. Here’s how you can switch things up:

1. Spot the File: First things first, find the file you want to tweak. Go ahead and right-click on it.
2. ‘Get Info’ Time: Click on ‘Get Info’ in the menu that pops up. This will give you all the juice on your file.
3. Look for ‘Open With’: Scroll through the info window until you hit the ‘Open with:’ section. Hit the dropdown there.
4. Pick Your App: Choose whichever app you want to use from the list. Make sure it’s something that’ll get the job done for that file type.
5. Seal the Deal: After you’ve picked your app, click on ‘Change All’ to make it the go-to choice for all similar files. When it asks if you’re sure, just say yes.

This is the go-to method for shaking things up with your file types. Sometimes, the app you want isn’t listed—just be sure it’s installed and ready to roll on your Mac.

If things get sticky, Apple support or Mac-focused tech circles online might be your best friends. They usually have the scoop that’s worth checking out.

If you\’re looking to switch up the default app your Mac uses to open certain files, here\’s a straightforward way to do it.

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   First, find the file that you want to change things up for, like a PDF or a photo. Open Finder, hunt down that file, and just right-click (or hit Ctrl and click) to bring up a menu. Pick “Get Info.”

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   Once you\’ve got the info window open, look for the “Open With” section. You\’ll see a dropdown menu there. Choose your preferred app from that list. If you want this app to handle all files of that type, make sure to hit “Change All…” and then confirm with “Continue.” Trust me, if you don’t click “Change All,” the switch will only happen for that one file and not any others like it.

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macOS sorts files using something called Uniform Type Identifiers (UTIs). Sometimes, installing a new app or an older app can mess with how these are set up.

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If you\’re having trouble with changes not sticking, it might just be that you forgot to hit “Change All.” Also, your Mac’s system and manual settings could be having a little battle. To fix this, go through the process again or reset macOS Launch Services using the Terminal command I\’ll share below:

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/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister - -r -domain  -domain system -domain user\n

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Then restart Finder, and you should be good to go.

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Sometimes the app you want to use isn’t showing up in that dropdown. It could be the app not playing nice with the file type, or maybe it just wasn’t registered right with Launch Services. A reinstall usually does the trick, or you can pick the app manually by choosing “Other…” in the list.

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If a file type doesn’t seem to be recognized, check its file extension. Sometimes non-standard extensions or weird metadata can make things funky. Rename the extension if you need to, or use an app like File Viewer to force it open.

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Want things to go back to the Mac defaults? Choose “System Default” from that “Open With” dropdown and hit “Change All” again. And if you’re tinkering with browser settings, do it straight from the app itself.

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This way, you keep your Mac working smoothly and avoid any unpleasant surprises with files opening where you don\’t want them.

Hey there! If you\’re wondering how to set a different app as the default for opening files on your Mac, you\’ve come to the right place. It\’s really simple, and I\’ll walk you through it.

Step 1: Change the Default App for a Specific Type of File

So, let\’s say every time you try to open a photo, it opens with an app you don\’t like. Here\’s how you can change that:

1. Pop open a Finder window.
2. Hunt down a file with the type you want to tweak, like a JPG or MP3.
3. Give it a right-click (or Control-click) and hit “Get Info.” There\’s also the option to select the file and then go under File > Get Info if that\’s more your style.
4. In the Info section, find “Open with.” You\’ll see a drop-down list of apps.
5. Pick the app you want to be your new go-to.
6. Here’s the kicker: to make this change stick for all files of that type, click “Change All…” and when your Mac gets all dramatic and asks if you’re sure, just say yes!

Step 2: Open a One-Off File Differently

Maybe you\’ve just got a one-time situation where you want a specific file to open with a different app. Here’s how to do that:

1. Head back to Finder and grab the file.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) and select “Open With.”
3. Choose the app you want for this little adventure. Just be mindful not to hit “Change All…” unless you want a whole revolution!

A Few More Nuggets of Wisdom

If a snooze-fest of an app suddenly decides it\’s the boss of your files, don’t worry. Just repeat the steps above to reclaim your turf. This trick isn\’t just for files either—you can tweak default browsers and email apps too! For your browser, head over to System Settings > Desktop & Dock. To switch up your email app, pop into the Mail app\’s settings.

Customizing your Mac like this can make your digital life a whole lot smoother. Trust me, once you set things up this way, you won\’t look back.