How to set default apps on macOS

Step by step

1. 15 sec

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Alternatively, press Command + Space, type System Settings, and press Return.

   Note: Command + Space
2. 30 sec

   Access Desktop & Dock settings

   Select Desktop & Dock from the sidebar. Scroll to the bottom of the right-hand panel until you reach the Default web browser and Default email reader dropdown menus.

3. 30 sec

   Assign primary applications

   Click the dropdown menu next to Default web browser and choose your preferred browser. Repeat this process for the Default email reader selection.

   Note: Changes take effect immediately across the system.
4. 30 sec

   Change specific file associations

   Open Finder and locate a file with the format you wish to change. Right-click or Control-click the file and select Get Info from the context menu.

   Note: Command + I
5. 30 sec

   Update the Open with setting

   Expand the Open with section in the Info window. Click the dropdown menu and select the application you want to use for this file type.

6. 15 sec

   Set as universal default

   Click the Change All button located directly beneath the Open with menu. Select Continue in the confirmation dialog to apply this preference to all files of the same type.

   Note: This ensures every file of that extension opens in your chosen app.