Change Default App Icons Mac

Certain actions that you perform on your Mac will cause default apps to open. For example, clicking a document may open Pages. But what if you want Microsoft Word to open instead? You can also set your default web browser and email reader.

Here's how!

Jun 25, 2018  How to change icons on a Mac: Swapping the existing icons The first method to change the icon on a Mac is to swap the icon of an existing folder with some other folder. It is nothing but copying the folder of an icon in.icns format and then paste it to that folder which you want to change. Jul 06, 2020  Change App, File, and Folder Icons Using PNG Images. When it comes to icons of any sort, PNG, with its transparent background, is the most popular format out there.You can find any PNG icon online (as long as it’s square and high-resolution) and make it an icon for any app, file, or folder on your Mac.

How to change the default Mac app for specific file types

  1. Right-click on a file that uses the file type you'd like to change the default for. For example, one with a .jpg extension (a photo).
  2. Click on Get Info in the pop-up.
  3. Click Open With if the section isn't already expanded.
  4. Click the dropdown and choose an app.

    Source: iMore

  5. Click Change All...
  6. Click Continue when the Finder asks you if you're sure.

    Source: iMore

Now any time you open a file with that extension, the Finder will automatically open it with the app you've selected.

How to set your default web browser

  1. Launch System Preferences from the dock, Finder, or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu bar.
  2. Click General at the top left of the window.
  3. Click the dropdown next to Default web browser.
  4. Click the web browser you'd like to use as the default.

    Source: iMore

How to set your default email reader

Mail is likely the default email app on your Mac, but just in case you have others downloaded, you can set the default reader. Here's how:

  1. Launch Mail from your dock or the Finder.
  2. Click Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  3. Click Preferences.
  4. Click the dropdown next to Default Mail Reader.
  5. Click the app you'd like to set as the default.

    Source: iMore

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below.

Updated February 2020: Updated for macOS Catalina!

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How To Change A Default App

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