1. Change Default App File Extension
2. Change Default App By Extension
3. Mac File Extensions List
4. Mac Change Default App For File Extension
5. Change File Extensions In Windows 10

Nov 28, 2018  At the top of the list is the default app that macOS launches whenever you double-click on files that share the same suffix or extension, with other apps associated with the file type below that. Dec 31, 2012  Follow these steps to change your default preferences: Find a file with an extension you want to change the defaults to. Right click on the file to see a menu, and select “Get Info”. (right click is a two finder click on a trackpad) A window appears with the file.

When you download, copy, or transfer a file to your Mac, chances are the file you copy has an app associated with it. Your macOS has several apps that are set to default for common file types, be it an HTML webpage, a JPG photo file, or an MP4 video file. But some of you use third-party apps, apps like VLC music player, a photo viewer/editor, or a third-party browser like Google Chrome. In this guide, I will show you how you can set or change default apps for a file on your Mac.

While many users are good with the Safari, some of you use Chrome browser on Mac which is a third-party browser for Mac, but webpage files on the Mac are associated with default Safari app. Similarly, for music files, iTunes, and for photo files, Preview app.

These apps open the common file types by default, these are fine, and you’ll be happy enough using them. But in case you have installed another app that you think it’s better than the default apps, you can change these default apps on your Mac to something different to open the file type.

How To Set Or Change Default Apps On Mac

Before you start with the guide, you still have the option to open the file in other apps temporarily.

• Right-click on the file you want to open and select Open With where you can choose the appropriate app.

For example, a file with extension .jpg opens in the built-in photo viewer app Preview by default, but at times you want to edit that photo in some photo editing apps such as Photoshop. You don’t often do edits on Photoshop which is why you don’t need to change the default app to Photoshop, you can choose the Open With menu to open the file in other apps temporarily.

Change Default App File Extension

However, if you want to set or change the default apps for a particular file, here’s what you need to do.

1. Right-click on a file that you want to change the app for and select Get Info.
2. Click Open With if the section isn’t already expanded.
3. Now click the dropdown and choose an app you want to open the file in by default.
4. Click Change All & Continue when the Finder asks you if you’re sure.

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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.

Here's how!

How to change the default Mac app for specific file types

1. 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).
2. Click on Get Info in the pop-up.
3. Click Open With if the section isn't already expanded.

4. Click the dropdown and choose an app.

   Source: iMore

5. Click Change All..

6. 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

1. Launch System Preferences from the dock, Finder, or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu bar.
2. Click General at the top left of the window.
3. Click the dropdown next to Default web browser.

4. 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:

Change Default App By Extension

1. Launch Mail from your dock or the Finder.
2. Click Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the dropdown next to Default Mail Reader.

5. Click the app you'd like to set as the default.

   Source: iMore

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below.

Skype for business mac client. People's presence information takes 30 seconds, or usually several minutes, to update. Same sort of delays happen with changing my presence (status), changing forwarding settings, etc. It's instantaneous in the Windows app. That should not happen.

Updated February 2020: Updated for macOS Catalina!

macOS Catalina

Mac File Extensions List

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Mac Change Default App For File Extension

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Change File Extensions In Windows 10

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