New to Mac? How to change the default app to open a file type: Your Mac is pretty smart when it comes to opening files like documents and images. So double-click to open that item in what it believes to be the correct and preferred app. But there could be times when you want your items to open in a different app each time.
If you want your images to open in a specific photo editing app rather than Preview or have spreadsheets open in Excel instead of Numbers. These are just a couple of examples and there are plenty more situations like these.
If you are a new Mac user and not sure how to make it happen, here’s how to change a file type’s default app when you open it.
How To Change the Default App When Opening
When you want to change the default app for a file you’re opening, you can do this in a couple of clicks.
Step 1:
Right-click or hold Control and click the file. Or, click File from the menu bar.
Step 2:
Select Open With and then pick Other.
Step 3:
You’ll see a drop-down box for Enable which defaults to Recommended Applications. If the app you want is grayed out at the top, choose All Applications in this box. Then pick your application and click Open.
Step 4:
Mark the checkbox below Enable for Always Open With.
Step 5:
Click Open.
Note: If you don’t see the Enable or Always Open With box, click the Options button on the bottom left corner and they will display.
Change the default app with “Get Info”
Also, you can change the default app for file types using the shortcut menu by following these steps.
Step 1:
Right-click or hold Control and click the file.
Step 2:
Then select Get Info.
Step 3:
Go down to Open with, here click the drop-down box, and pick your application. If you don’t see it, click Other.
If you choose Other, you’ll see a list of your applications set to Recommended Applications by default. Again, if the app you want is grayed out, choose All Applications. Then pick your application and click Add.
Step 4:
Back in the Get Info window, click the button for Change All.
Step 5:
Here you’ll see a pop-up message letting you know that the change will apply to all documents with that extension. If you’re sure, click Continue.
Step 6:
You can then close the Get Info window.
Conclusion:
Changing the default application for opening images, documents, videos, or another type of file is easy on your Mac.
Do you have anything to share with other Mac newbies? If so, feel free to comment us below!
Till then! Keep Smiling 🙂
Also Read: Guide to delete attachments, Images and links in Messages on iOS