Change Default Calling App Mac

MacOS already comes with some well-thought-of pre-installed apps that are designed to be used for different functions and services. These apps let you use your Mac straight out of the box. However, even though macOS’s exclusive apps are by far some of the most reliable ones to date, each of us tends to have personal preferences. For instance, you might favor using Chrome over Safari for web browsing. In this article, we’ll share with you how to change default apps in Mac to your preferred ones.

What Are Default Mac Apps?

Default apps are the programs that automatically launch when you perform an action on your Mac. For example, if you haven’t installed and set up a different browser yet, any web link you click will open on Safari, Apple’s proprietary web browser. To give you an idea, here are some of the most basic pre-installed apps you may find on your Mac:

  • App Store
  • Automator
  • Calculator
  • Calendar
  • Contacts
  • Dashboard
  • FaceTime
  • DVD Player
  • Game Center
  • iBooks
  • iMovie
  • iTunes
  • Launchpad
  • Mail
  • Maps
  • Photos
  • QuickTime Player
  • Safari
  • Time Machine

Jan 26, 2019  Apps need to be installed before you can set them as the default. You may want your.pdf files, or email, or music to automatically open using an app other than the one provided by Microsoft. To choose default apps by file type. Scroll down and select Choose default apps by file type.

Some of these apps are indispensable, such as Automator and Time Machine. On the other hand, some are plainly extras that you can live without, such as Game Center and Launchpad. Meanwhile, there are those apps that are actually quite useful, but can be substituted by other apps that may do the job better. These include iBooks, QuickTime Player, Mail, Maps, and as exampled earlier, Safari. If you want to use another app in place of the default apps in Mac, you have two options: temporarily use a different app or permanently change the default app for specific functions.

Change Default Calling App Mac

Temporarily Using Another App To Perform A Task

It is straightforward and won’t require you to tinker with your Mac’s settings in any way. To try doing this, do the following steps:

  • Dec 05, 2019  Open the dropdown and select the app you want to set as the default app for that file type. Once you’ve selected the app, click ‘Change all’. You will get a prompt telling you that the default app will be changed for all files of that type. Confirm the change and it will be applied.
  • Select the file in the Finder and choose File Get Info. In the Open With section, if there’s an appropriate app in the list, you can select it and click Change All and confirm, and now all files.
  • Jan 10, 2019  System settings - Apps - Default Apps – scroll down to the bottom. Click on Set defaults by app and scroll down to Teams and click Manage. This opens the File type and protocol associations for Teams. Mine was largely set to choose a default.
  • May 20, 2019  In Microsoft Outlook 2016 for Mac running on Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later versions, you cannot set Outlook as the default application. In Outlook Preferences, under General, you enable the Make Outlook the default application for e-mail, calendar, and contacts option.However, when you check the general preferences again, this option is not enabled.
  • Download the app you want to use. For instance, VLC Player for playing movies and other video files. If you already have it, go to the next step.
  • Open Finder. Look for the file you want to play. Right-click on it. On the menu, select Open With. The list of usable apps relevant to the file will appear. You will see the default app at the top of the list.
  • Select the alternative app you want to use. The file will now open in that app.

How To Change The Mac Default App Settings

If you think you’re going to use alternative apps for a long time, it’s better to just set them up as default apps instead of doing the method above every single time. However, keep in mind that you can’t change default app settings in one go. But, don’t worry. Switching default apps shouldn’t take long. What’s good about this is you can always change your default apps.

Mac

Changing Default Browser

Safari is the default browser for all Apple devices. If you have installed other browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera, you probably got a message asking to make them your default browser. If you ignored that request before, you could make any of them your default browser now.

  • Go to System Preferences > General.
  • Locate Default Web Browser.
  • Click the drop-down menu to see the available browsers that can be set as default.
  • Click on your browser of choice to set it as default.

Changing Default Email App

Apple’s Mail app is pretty straightforward and easy to use. However, for some, it can be too honest that it lacks some cool features that other email apps have. To switch from Mail to another email app you’ve downloaded and installed, do these:

  • Open the Mail app. Go to Mail > Preferences.
  • Find Default Email Reader. Click it to open the list of other email clients on your mac.
  • Select the email app you want to use.

Change Default Calling App Mac Computer

Changing Default Apps For Various Types Of Files

You can also change the default app or program to open certain file types, such as photos and videos. Here’s how:

Reset Default App

  • Open Finder. Right-click on the file you want to open a different app.
  • On the menu, click Get Info.
  • A box will appear. Find “Open with:” Click it.
  • Click the drop-down menu to choose a new default app.
  • Click Choose All. Now, all files of that type will open on your newly set default app.

On a final note, no matter what apps you set as default, it’s essential that you keep your Mac in tip-top condition. Tweakbit MacRepair can help you with that. By taking care of your Mac’s storage space, RAM, and battery, you are sure to enjoy using your Mac better and longer.

Set Default Mail App Mac

DOWNLOAD NOW!

If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.