Quick steps to accompany help article on DigitalWriting101.net

1. How to Change the Default
App that Opens Files on a Mac
Category: Tech Tips
DigitalWriting101.net
Amy Goodloe

2. 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

3. Step 1
Right-click on file and choose “Get Info”
TIP:
“Right-click” =
click while
holding down
the control key

4. Step 2
Use the “Open with” menu to select a different app
FYI
I set all mv4 files to
open with QuickTime
instead of iTunes

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

6. TIP
Want to open only one file in a specific app?
HOW TO
Right-click on
file, choose Open
With, and select
app

7. For More Help Resources
See DigitalWriting101.net