{"id":7601,"date":"2024-03-18T18:05:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T18:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vector-informatics.com\/?p=7601"},"modified":"2024-03-18T18:05:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T18:05:57","slug":"changing-default-apps-for-file-types-on-mac-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vector-informatics.com\/changing-default-apps-for-file-types-on-mac-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Default Apps for File Types on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Changing the default apps for file types on a Mac is a handy trick that can save you a lot of time and frustration. Whether you want to open PDFs in Adobe Reader instead of Preview, or you prefer to use VLC for your video files instead of QuickTime, it’s a simple process to change the apps that automatically open your files.<\/p>\n

Step by Step Tutorial: Changing Default Apps for File Types on Mac<\/h2>\n

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that this process will change the default app for all files of a certain type. For example, if you change the default app for PDFs, all PDFs will now open in the new app you select.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Right-click on a file of the type you want to change<\/h3>\n

Right-click on a file of the type you want to change the default app for. This is the starting point for changing the default app. It’s important to select a file of the correct type, as this will dictate which app is changed.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Click ‘Get Info’<\/h3>\n

After right-clicking on the file, a menu will appear. From this menu, select ‘Get Info’. This will open a new window with information about the file you’ve selected.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Expand the ‘Open with:’ section<\/h3>\n

In the ‘Get Info’ window, you’ll see a section labeled ‘Open with:’. If this section is not already expanded, click on the triangle next to it to reveal the apps that can open this file type.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Select the app you want to use from the dropdown menu<\/h3>\n

From the dropdown menu in the ‘Open with:’ section, select the app you want to use as the default for this file type. If the app you want to use is not listed, you can click ‘Other…’ to locate and select it.<\/p>\n

Step 5: Click ‘Change All…’<\/h3>\n

After selecting the app you want to use, click the ‘Change All…’ button. This will set the selected app as the default for all files of this type.<\/p>\n

Step 6: Confirm the change<\/h3>\n

A confirmation dialog will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to change the default app for all files of this type. Click ‘Continue’ to confirm the change.<\/p>\n

After completing these steps, all files of the selected type will now open in your chosen app by default.<\/p>\n

What Happens After Changing Default Apps<\/h2>\n

Once you’ve changed the default app for a file type, any time you double-click a file of that type, it will automatically open in the new app you’ve selected. This change is system-wide, meaning it applies to all files of that type on your Mac.<\/p>\n

Tips for Changing Default Apps for File Types on Mac<\/h2>\n