By default, Apple makes it easy to open any file on your Mac with the default apps pre-installed in macOS. While some of them are fantastic and get the job done, others are a little too basic and won't help you that much.

Fortunately, Apple makes it easy to change your default applications, so you can open your files with any app you want. The best part is that it'll only take you a few clicks to do so. Keep reading to find out more.

How to Change the Default App for a Specific File on macOS

More often than not, your Mac won't ask you if you want to choose a specific app to open your files (unless it's a unique file your Mac doesn't have an app for).

However, changing the default app for a specific file is easier than you might think. And there are actually two different ways to go about it. Here's the first one:

  1. Open Finder and search for the file you want.
  2. Control-click (right-click) the file and select Open With. You'll now see all the apps you can use to open that specific file.
  3. If you don't see the app you want to use, click Other at the end of the list and search for the app you want.
  4. Use the Finder window to find and select the app you want to use. Then, check the Always Open With option so your Mac knows to use this app to open the specific file moving forward.
  5. Finally, click Open in the bottom-right corner of the window.
Change the Default App for a Specific File

Using this method will guarantee you can open a specific file with any app you want. However, if you want a quicker way to do it, it's best to do the following:

  1. Open Finder and search for the file you want.
  2. Control-click (right-click) the file and choose Get Info.
  3. Click the dropdown menu under Open with and select the app you want to use to open this specific file.
  4. Close the Info window and open your file.
Information window of a file

Next time you open this file, your Mac will automatically use the app you selected in the Info window. As you can see, it's just as easy as changing the default browser on your Mac.

How to Change the Default App for a File Type in macOS

Now you know how to set the default app to open a specific file, but what if you want to use the same app to open all files of the same type? Don't worry; you won't need to change the default app of every similar file individually. Instead, follow these steps:

  1. Open Finder and find a file whose type you want to open with a specific app.
  2. Control-click (right-click) on it, and select Get Info.
  3. Just like the previous steps, click the dropdown menu under Open with, and choose the app you want to use.
  4. Next, click Change All right below the app you selected.
  5. A new window will pop up, asking you to confirm your decision. Click Continue.
Files information window on Mac

And that's it! Now, all files with the same type as the one you just changed will be opened with the same app. So, for instance, if you change the default app for a file with the ".pdf" extension, all PDF files will be opened with the PDF editor for Mac you chose.

If you want to go back to the previous app (which is Preview by default), all you need to do is repeat the same steps.

Open Files With Your Favorite Mac Apps

As you can see, Apple wants you to use its apps. However, that doesn't mean you should. After all, many third-party apps out there do a better job and make your life easier. Once you find them, you can use the steps above to let your Mac know what your preferred default apps are.