Where to find the default apps settings on your Mac

Open System Settings (called System Preferences on older Macs). Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, scroll down and click General.

Inside General, look for the section labeled Default apps near the bottom of the page. This is where you control which app opens when you click a link, open an email, or launch a file type. The layout shows each category — web browser, email, calendar, and others — with your current default app listed next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Default apps settings live in System Settings under General, in a section labeled Default apps near the bottom of the page.
  • You can set a different default for web links, email, calendar, photos, and other file types by clicking the dropdown next to each category.
  • Your Mac will remember these choices and use them automatically until you change them again.
  • Some third-party apps (like Firefox or Chrome) may ask permission to become your default browser the first time you open them.

Changing your default web browser

Click the dropdown menu next to Web browser. A list of installed browsers appears — typically Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, depending on what you have downloaded. Select the one you want to use as your default.

Once you click it, that browser becomes your default when ready. Any link you click in Mail, Messages, or other apps will now open in your chosen browser. You do not need to restart your Mac or confirm the change anywhere else.

Changing your default email and calendar apps

Scroll down in the Default apps section to find Mail and Calendar. Click the dropdown next to Mail to choose between Apple Mail, Gmail, Outlook, or another email app you have installed. The same process works for Calendar — click the dropdown and select your preferred calendar app.

If you use Gmail through a web browser instead of a dedicated app, you will not see it listed here. In that case, Mail remains your default, but you can manually open Gmail in your browser whenever you need it. Some third-party email apps (like Outlook or Spark) may ask for permission to become your default the first time you launch them.

Setting defaults for photos, downloads, and other file types

The Default apps section also includes Photos, Downloads manager, and sometimes Text editor, depending on your macOS version. Click any dropdown to see what apps you have installed for that category, then select your preference.

If you want to change which app opens a specific file type — for example, making Notepad your default for .txt files instead of TextEdit — you need to use a different method. Right-click the file, select Get Info, find the Open with section, choose your app, and click Change All. This sets that app as the default for all files of that type.

What happens if you uninstall a default app

If you delete an app that you set as your default, macOS automatically reverts to the built-in alternative. For example, if you uninstall Chrome and set Safari as your default browser, Safari takes over. If you uninstall your email app, Mail becomes the default again.

You will not see an error or notification when this happens — it occurs silently in the background. The next time you click a link or open an email, your Mac will use the new default without asking.

Resetting defaults back to Apple's built-in apps

To return to Safari as your default browser, Apple Mail as your default email, and other built-in apps, go back to System Settings > General > Default apps. Click each dropdown and select the Apple app (Safari, Mail, Calendar, Photos, etc.). There is no "reset all" button, so you change them one at a time.

This is useful if you installed a third-party app, used it for a while, and want to go back to what came with your Mac. The process takes less than a minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Each user account has its own System Settings, so you can set different defaults for each person who uses the Mac. Log in as a different user, open System Settings, and change the defaults for that account. The changes do not affect other users.

Why does my browser keep asking to be the default app?

Some browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) ask permission to become your default every time you open them if they are not already set as default. This is normal behavior. If you want them to stop asking, either set them as your default or ignore the prompt — it will not prevent the browser from working.

What if an app I want to use as default does not appear in the dropdown?

The app may not be installed, or it may not support being a default for that category. Make sure the app is fully downloaded and installed in your Applications folder. If it still does not appear, check the app's settings to see if it needs permission to act as a default, or contact the app's support.

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing default apps?

No. Changes take effect when ready. The next time you click a link or open a file, your Mac will use the new default app without restarting.

Can I set a default app for opening PDFs?

The Default apps section in System Settings does not include PDFs. Instead, right-click a PDF file, select Get Info, find Open with, choose your app (Preview, Adobe Reader, etc.), and click Change All. This sets that app as your default for all PDFs.