How to Change the Default App that Opens Files on a Mac

Category: Tech TipsDigitalWriting101.net

Amy Goodloe

Why Change the Default?

Annoyed by iTunes opening your movie files? Prefer to use Numbers instead of Excel for spreadsheets?

Follow these steps to change the default app that opens these and other file types.

For example:• Open audio and video (mp3, m4a, m4v, mov, mp4)

in QuickTime• Open PDF files in Preview• Open Excel files in Numbers• Open Word files in Pages

Step 1Right-click on file and choose “Get Info”

TIP:“Right-click” = click while holding down the control key

Step 2Use the “Open with” menu to select a different app

FYII set all mv4 files to open with QuickTime instead of iTunes

Step 3Click “Change All” to set a new default. That’s it!

TIPWant to open only one file in a specific app?

HOW TORight-click on file, choose Open With, and select app

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