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.
Jun 19, 2018 Sometimes you may have a legitimate reason for changing which app your Mac automatically launches when you open a common file type – when a newly installed app assumes control of it, or when you. May 18, 2020 Right-click on a file that you want to change the app for and select Get Info. Click Open With if the section isn’t already expanded. Now click the dropdown and choose an app you want to open.
Here's how!
How to change the default Mac app for specific file types
- 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).
- Click on Get Info in the pop-up.
- Click Open With if the section isn't already expanded.
- Click the dropdown and choose an app.Source: iMore
- Click Change All..
- 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
Open Any Files App Mac
- Launch System Preferences from the dock, Finder, or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu bar.
- Click General at the top left of the window.
- Click the dropdown next to Default web browser.
- 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:
- Launch Mail from your dock or the Finder.
- Click Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Click Preferences.
- Click the dropdown next to Default Mail Reader.
- 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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You can use the Apple Music app on Mac or iTunes for Windows to convert song files between compressed and uncompressed formats. For example, you might want to import some uncompressed files into your music library as compressed files to save disk space. Examples of compressed formats are MP3 and Apple Lossless Encoder. Examples of uncompressed formats are AIFF or WAV.
You shouldn't notice reduced sound quality when you:
- Convert between uncompressed formats
- Go from a compressed to an uncompressed format
You might notice reduced sound quality when you:
- Convert between compressed formats
- Go from an uncompressed to a compressed format
Learn more about audio compression.
For best results, if you want your music in a different format, import again from the original source using the new encoding format.
![How to change file type How to change file type](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126226072/532549964.jpg)
You can convert the format of songs that are in your music library, in a folder, or on a disk.
Convert songs in your music library
On your Mac
- Open the Apple Music app.
- In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences.
- Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the song to.
- Click OK.
- Select the songs in your library that you want to convert.
- Choose File > Convert, then Create [format] Version.
New song files appear in your library next to the original files.
On your PC
- Open iTunes for Windows.
- In the menu bar, choose Edit > Preferences.
- Click the General tab, then click Import Settings.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the song to.
- Click OK.
- Select the songs in your library that you want to convert.
- Choose File > Convert, then Create [format] Version.
New song files appear in your library next to the original files.
Convert songs from files in a folder or on a disk
You can import songs into the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows and convert them at the same time. This creates a converted copy of the file in your music library, based on your preferences in the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows.
To convert all of the songs in a folder or on a disk, follow the steps below for your device.
Older purchased songs are encoded in a Protected AAC format that prevents them from being converted. Learn how to upgrade these and then convert to another format.
On your Mac
- Open the Apple Music app.
- In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences.
- Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the songs to.
- Click OK.
- On your keyboard, hold down the Option key and choose File > Convert > Convert to [import preference].
- Select the folder or disk that contains songs that you want to import and convert.
The songs in their original format and the converted songs appear in your library.
On your PC
- Open iTunes for Windows.
- In the menu bar, choose Edit > Preferences.
- Click the General tab, then click Import Settings.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the songs to.
- Click OK.
- On your keyboard, hold down the Shift key and choose File > Convert > Convert to [import preference].
- Select the folder or disk that contains songs that you want to import and convert.
The songs in their original format and the converted songs appear in your library.
![Type Type](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126226072/500601421.png)
Learn more
When you convert a file with the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows, the original file remains unchanged in the same location. The Apple Music app and iTunes for Windows creates the converted file from a copy of the original.
Change File Type Mac Apps
About compression
When you convert a song to certain compressed formats, some data might be lost. These compressed formats give you a much smaller file size, which lets you store more songs. But, the sound quality might not be as good as the original, uncompressed format.
You might not hear a difference between a compressed and uncompressed song. This can depend on the song, your speakers or headphones, or your music device.
Change File Type Mac
If you compress a song and it loses data, you can't uncompress it to retrieve the data. If you convert a song from a compressed to an uncompressed format, its quality doesn't improve. The file only takes up more disk space. An example is when you convert a song in MP3 format (a compressed format) to AIFF (an uncompressed format). The song takes up much more space on your hard disk, but sounds the same as the compressed file. To take advantage of uncompressed formats, you should import songs in these formats.
About copyright
You can use the Apple Music app and iTunes for Windows to reproduce materials. It is licensed to you only for reproduction of:
- Non-copyrighted materials
- Materials for which you own the copyright
- Materials you are authorized or legally permitted to reproduce
Mac Default Open App
If you are uncertain about your right to copy any material, you should contact your legal advisor. For more information, see the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.