Where to find and change your default apps

On a Mac, you set default apps through System Settings, not through individual applications. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), then go to General in the left sidebar. Scroll down to find Default apps. From there, you can choose which app opens for web browsing, email, maps, music, video, photos, and calendar functions.

The process is straightforward: click the dropdown menu next to each category, and a list of compatible apps on your Mac appears. Select the one you want to use as default, and the change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your Mac or close any open applications.

If you do not see an app in the dropdown list, it may not be installed on your Mac, or it may not support that function. For example, not every app can be set as your default email client—only those built to handle email protocols will appear in that dropdown.

Key Takeaways

  • Default apps are managed in System Settings under General, not within the apps themselves.
  • You can set defaults for web browsing, email, maps, music, video, photos, and calendar separately.
  • Changes take effect when ready without restarting your Mac.
  • Only apps designed to handle each function will appear in the dropdown menu for that category.
  • If an app you want is missing from the list, it may not support that function or may not be installed.

Setting a default web browser

To change your default web browser, open System Settings and navigate to General > Default apps. Look for the Web browser category. Click the dropdown and select from Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other compatible browser you have installed.

Once you select a browser, all links you click in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in that browser instead of Safari. This change applies system-wide, so you do not need to adjust settings in each individual app.

Setting a default email client

To set a default email app, go to System Settings > General > Default apps and find the Email category. Click the dropdown to see which email clients are available on your Mac. Common options include Mail (Apple's built-in app), Gmail, Outlook, and Spark.

After you select an email client, clicking email links in web pages, documents, and other apps will open that client instead of Mail. The change is when ready and applies everywhere on your Mac.

Setting defaults for maps, music, and calendar

Maps, music, video, photos, and calendar apps can also be set as defaults. In System Settings > General > Default apps, you will see separate dropdowns for each. For maps, you might choose Apple Maps, Google Maps, or another navigation app. For music, you can select Apple Music, Spotify, or another music player.

These settings control which app opens when you click a map link, a music link, or a calendar event. Setting them to your preferred apps saves you the step of manually opening the right one each time.

What to do if an app does not appear in the list

If the app you want to use as default is not showing up in any dropdown, it may not be installed on your Mac. Check your Applications folder to confirm the app is there. If it is installed but still missing from the list, the app may not support that particular function—not every app is designed to handle every type of link or file.

Some third-party apps also require you to grant permission before they can be set as default. If you recently installed an app, restart your Mac and check the dropdown again. If the app still does not appear, check the app's documentation or support page to see whether it supports being a default app.

Reverting to Apple's default apps

If you want to go back to using Safari as your default browser or Mail as your default email client, the process is the same: open System Settings > General > Default apps and select Safari or Mail from the appropriate dropdown. There is no "reset to defaults" button—you straightforward choose Apple's apps the same way you chose any other app.

You can also change defaults one at a time. For example, you can keep Chrome as your default browser while using Outlook as your default email client. Each category is independent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing a default app?

No. Changes to default apps take effect when ready. You do not need to restart your Mac or close any open applications. The next time you click a link or open a file that uses that default, the new app will open.

Can I set different default apps for different user accounts on the same Mac?

Yes. Each user account on a Mac has its own System Settings. If you have multiple accounts, each person can set their own defaults independently. Log into a different account and change the defaults in that account's System Settings.

What if a link opens in the wrong app even after I changed the default?

Some apps override system defaults and open links in their own browser or email client. If this happens, check the settings within that specific app—it may have its own preference for which browser or email client to use. You may need to adjust both the system default and the app's internal settings.

Can I set a default app for opening PDFs or other file types?

The Default apps section in System Settings covers only web browsers, email, maps, music, video, photos, and calendar. For other file types like PDFs, right-click the file, select Open With, choose the app you want, then click Change All to set it as the default for all files of that type.

Will changing my default browser affect my passwords and bookmarks?

No. Changing your default browser does not affect your data in any browser. Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history stay in each browser where you created them. Switching the default only controls which browser opens when you click a link—it does not move or delete any of your information.