Mac computers come with a variety of built-in applications that open specific file types by default. However, there may be instances where you prefer to use a different application to open a particular file type. Fortunately, changing the default application for a file type on Mac is a quick and straightforward process.

By changing the default application, you can ensure that your preferred program launches automatically when you open a specific file type, saving you time and effort. Whether you want to open PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Reader or play videos with VLC Media Player, customizing your default applications can enhance your workflow and user experience.

To change the default application for a file type on your Mac, you can follow a few simple steps. This guide will walk you through the process, helping you set up your preferred applications for various file types effortlessly. Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or a beginner, you’ll find these steps easy to follow, enabling you to customize your Mac to suit your needs.

How to Change Default Application for File Type on Mac

Mac computers come with default applications for handling specific file types. However, you may prefer to use a different application for a particular file type. Fortunately, changing the default application for a file type on a Mac is a simple process.

Here’s how you can change the default application for a file type on your Mac:

After following these steps, the selected application will open automatically whenever you double-click on a file of the corresponding type on your Mac.

It’s important to note that some file types may be associated with specific applications that cannot be changed. In such cases, the “Open with” section will not be editable, and you’ll need to use the default application for that file type.

By changing the default application for file types on your Mac, you can ensure that your preferred applications are used to open files, making it easier and more convenient to work with different types of files on your computer.

Locate the File Type

If you want to change the default application for a specific file type on your Mac, the first step is to locate the file type you want to modify.

To do this, you can either navigate to the file directly or use the Spotlight search feature to find it.

Navigating to the file manually

If you know the location of the file type you want to change, you can navigate to it using Finder.

1. Open Finder by clicking on the Finder icon in the dock.
2. In the Finder window, browse to the folder or directory where the file type is stored. If you’re not sure where it is located, you can try looking in the Documents or Downloads folders.
3. Once you’ve found the file type, right-click on it and select “Get Info” from the drop-down menu.

This will open the Info window for the file type, where you can view and modify its properties.

Using Spotlight search

If you don’t know the exact location of the file type you want to change, you can use the Spotlight search feature to locate it.

1. Click on the Spotlight icon in the menu bar or press Command + Space on your keyboard to open Spotlight search.
2. Type in the name or extension of the file type you want to modify. For example, if you want to change the default application for .docx files, you can type “.docx” in the search bar.
3. Spotlight will display a list of files matching your search query. Click on the file type you want to change to select it.
4. Press Command + I on your keyboard or right-click on the selected file type and choose “Get Info” from the context menu.

Once you have located the file type and opened the Info window, you can proceed to change the default application for that file type on your Mac.

Right-click and Choose “Get Info”

To change the default application for a specific file type on your Mac, you can use the “Get Info” option. Here’s how:

1. Locate the file or folder for which you want to change the default application.

2. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the file or folder to bring up the context menu.

3. From the context menu, select “Get Info.” This will open the Info window for the selected file or folder.

4. In the Info window, you will see a section named “Open with.” This section displays the current default application associated with the file or folder.

5. To change the default application, click on the current default application. A dropdown menu will appear with a list of available applications.

6. From the dropdown menu, select the desired application that you want to set as the new default.

7. If the desired application is not listed, click on “Other” at the bottom of the dropdown menu. This will allow you to browse and select any application installed on your Mac.

8. After selecting the new default application, close the Info window. The changes will be applied, and the selected application will now open the file or folder by default.

By following these steps, you can easily change the default application for a specific file type on your Mac, giving you more control over how your files are opened and accessed.

Select the Preferred Application

Once you have located the file you want to change the default application for, follow these steps to select the preferred application:

1. Right-click on the file and select “Get Info” from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can select the file and press the “Command” and “I” keys simultaneously.
2. In the “Get Info” window that appears, find the “Open With” section. This section lists the current default application and other compatible applications that can open the file.
3. If the preferred application is listed, select it from the available options. You can also click on the arrow next to the application to see more options.
4. If the preferred application is not listed, click on the “+” button to add it. A Finder window will open, allowing you to navigate to and select the preferred application.
5. After selecting the preferred application, click on the “Change All” button. This will change the default application for all files of the same type.
6. Close the “Get Info” window.

Now, whenever you open a file of the same type, it will automatically open in the selected preferred application.

Confirm and Apply the Changes

Once you have selected the new default application for your file type, you will need to confirm and apply the changes. This step is necessary to ensure that your Mac recognizes the new default application and opens the files with the desired program.

To confirm and apply the changes, follow these steps:

1. Click on the file or folder that you want to change the default application for. Make sure it is selected.
2. Right-click on the selected file or folder to open the contextual menu.
3. In the contextual menu, click on the “Get Info” option. This will open the Info window for the selected file or folder.
4. In the Info window, locate the section that says “Open with”. This section will display the current default application for the file or folder.
5. Click on the dropdown menu next to the current default application. A list of available applications will appear.
6. Select the new default application from the list. The selected application will be displayed next to the dropdown menu.
7. Close the Info window by clicking on the red “X” button in the top left corner.

After following these steps, the changes to the default application will be confirmed and applied. From now on, your Mac will open files with the selected application by default.

Can I change the default application for all file types at once?

No, you cannot change the default application for all file types at once on a Mac. You will need to individually change the default application for each file type following the steps mentioned in the previous answer.

What should I do if the application I want to set as the default is not listed in the “Open with” dropdown menu?

If the application you want to set as the default is not listed in the “Open with” dropdown menu, you can click on the “Other” option at the bottom of the menu. This will open a new window where you can browse for the desired application. Select the application and click “Open” to set it as the default for the chosen file type.

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