Certain actions that you perform on your Mac will cause default apps to open. For example, clicking a document may open Pages. But what if you want Microsoft Word to open instead? You can also set your default web browser and email reader.
- Setting Gmail as the Default Email Client on Windows 8 and 10. To make Windows use Gmail by default, you first set your browser of choice as the default email application.
- Mail.app, the email client that is bundled with macOS, is surprisingly robust. Still, it does have some limitations, leading many to switch to third-party email clients.
Here's how!
May 20, 2019 In Microsoft Outlook 2016 for Mac running on Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later versions, you cannot set Outlook as the default application. In Outlook Preferences, under General, you enable the Make Outlook the default application for e-mail, calendar, and contacts option.However, when you check the general preferences again, this option is not enabled.
How to change the default Mac app for specific file types
- Right-click on a file that uses the file type you'd like to change the default for. For example, one with a .jpg extension (a photo).
- Click on Get Info in the pop-up.
- Click Open With if the section isn't already expanded.
-
Click the dropdown and choose an app.Source: iMore
- Click Change All..
-
Click Continue when the Finder asks you if you're sure.Source: iMore
Now any time you open a file with that extension, the Finder will automatically open it with the app you've selected.
How to set your default web browser
- Launch System Preferences from the dock, Finder, or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu bar.
- Click General at the top left of the window.
- Click the dropdown next to Default web browser.
-
Click the web browser you'd like to use as the default.Source: iMore
How to set your default email reader
Mail is likely the default email app on your Mac, but just in case you have others downloaded, you can set the default reader. Here's how:
- Launch Mail from your dock or the Finder.
- Click Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Click Preferences.
- Click the dropdown next to Default Mail Reader.
-
Click the app you'd like to set as the default.Source: iMore
Questions?
Let us know in the comments below.
Updated February 2020: Updated for macOS Catalina!
macOS Catalina
Set Default Apps In Mac
Main
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
power balance
New EU regulations target App Store, empowering developers
The EU has introduced new regulations and measures to help protect developers and publishers who deal with storefronts like the App Store.
This article explains how you can set different applications to open PDF files on your Mac. Your Mac has a built-in PDF reader to open and render all of your PDFs on your Mac. This default application is called Preview. Following the instructions below, you can easily set your preferred application (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) as the default application for opening PDF files. Motion tracking software free. If you are unhappy with the results, again using the instructions below, then you may set the default PDF viewer in macOS back to Preview.
See also: Preview: The File Couldn’t Be Opened, Fix
Sometimes, Mac users accidentally make other applications as the default PDF reader and want to restore Preview as the default. Sometimes, Mac updates may cause issues with the default PDF reader. This article may help you resolve these issues.
See also: Can’t Open PDF On iPhone Or iPad, Fix
Setting your preferred app as the default PDF reader in macOS
For this article, we will set Preview as the default. Here is how:
1. Select any PDF file on your Mac.
Macos Defaults Write
2. Right-click (or Control-Click) the document. This will reveal a menu. Mac app to minimize the cpu usage and speed up.
3. Select Get Info. This will a new window: (You can also open this info window by selecting the document and clicking the Command I keys.)
Macos Set Default Email App Download
4. Find the Open With section. If the section is closed, click on the arrow next to it to expand.
5. Canon pixma mg4200 software mac. You will see a pull-down menu. Open the menu and find and select Preview. (If your preferred app is not in the list, choose Other. This will let you choose your app from your applications.)
6. Once you select your application, such as Preview, click the “Change All” button to have this application to open all PDF documents.
7. A popup will appear saying “Are you sure you want to change all similar documents to open with the application “Preview”? This change will apply to all documents with extension “.pdf”. Click the blue Continue button to confirm. Apps that let you airplay your iphone to mac.
And you are done.
See also: PDF Won’t Open: “Please Wait…” Message, How To Open