How to set default apps on macOS

Learn how to change your default browser, email client, and file associations on macOS to streamline your workflow.

1. 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.
2. 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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. 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.