How to Change Default App for File Types on Mac

Are you wondering how to change default app Mac settings for your files?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to change the default applications for various file types on your Mac.

Table of Contents

Why Change Default Apps on Mac?

Changing default apps on your Mac can enhance your productivity by ensuring your files open with the applications you prefer.

For example, you might want to open PDFs with Adobe Acrobat instead of Preview or use VLC Media Player for video files instead of QuickTime.

Customizing your default applications allows for a more personalized experience while ensuring you are using the best tools for your tasks.

How Do You Change Default Apps on a Mac?

Learning how to change default app Mac settings involves a few straightforward steps.

Here’s how to do it:

Right-click on the file: Locate the file type you want to change.
Select ‘Get Info’: From the context menu, choose “Get Info.”
Open the ‘Open with’ section: In the info window, you’ll see the “Open with” section.
Choose your preferred application: Click on the dropdown menu. You’ll see a list of suggested applications.
Select your desired app: Choose the app you want to set as default for this file type.
Click ‘Change All…’: This button will set your selected application as the default for all files of that type.
Confirm your choice: A prompt will appear asking you to confirm this change. Click “Continue.”
Close the window: You’re done! All files of that type will now open with the new default application.

What File Types Can You Change?

You can change the default app for virtually any file type on your Mac.

Some commonly modified file types include:

Documents: PDFs, Word files, Excel spreadsheets
Images: JPEGs, PNGs, GIFs
Audio Files: MP3s, AACs, WAVs
Video Files: MOV, MP4, AVI
Web Files: HTML, XML

Each of these file types can be easily changed to open with a specific application of your choice.

How Do I Know Which App to Choose?

When learning how to change default app Mac, you may find it helpful to understand which applications work best for various file types.

Here are some popular choices:

For PDFs:
Adobe Acrobat: For advanced editing and form-filling options.
Preview: For quick views and basic annotations.
For Documents:
Microsoft Word: If you want comprehensive document creation capabilities.
Pages: Ideal for Mac users emphasizing design and layout.
For Images:
Adobe Photoshop: For professional photo editing needs.
Preview: For basic viewing and light editing tasks.
For Audio Files:
iTunes or Apple Music: Perfect for music library management.
VLC: For versatile playback options, including various formats.
For Videos:
VLC Media Player: Great for any video format playback.
QuickTime Player: Ideal for editing and simple playback of Mac-friendly formats.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with various applications to find the one that fits your needs best.

How to Undo Default App Changes?

If you find that a different application works better after previously changing your default, you can easily revert your settings.

Simply follow these steps again:

Right-click on the file and select “Get Info.”
Navigate to the “Open with” section.
Choose a new preferred application from the dropdown menu.
Click “Change All…” and confirm your selection.

This ensures you have control over which application handles your files.

Can I Change Default Apps for Multiple File Types at Once?

Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature on macOS that allows you to change the default app for multiple file types simultaneously.

You will need to repeat the steps for each individual file type you wish to change.

However, considering the simplicity of the process, it won’t take much time to address multiple file types with a few clicks.

What If the Desired App Isn’t Listed?

Sometimes you may want to set an application as default, but it doesn’t appear in the list when you are changing your default applications.

In such cases, you can ensure:

The app is installed correctly: Make sure the application you want is properly installed on your Mac.
Check for File Compatibility: Your desired app should support the file type you want to open.

If the app still doesn’t show up, you can try dragging and dropping the file onto the application icon in the Dock or Applications folder.

Then you can repeat the “Get Info” steps to make it the default.

Conclusion

Learning how to change default app Mac is a simple process that can significantly improve your overall experience.

By customizing which apps open with which file types, you take control over your workflow.

With the instructions provided, you can easily switch between applications for documents, images, audio, and video files to suit your needs.

Don’t forget to explore different apps to find the ones that work best for you!

With just a few clicks, you’ll turn your Mac into a more efficient workspace tailored to your preferences.

Now that you understand how to change default app Mac, take action and start customizing your Mac today!