How to Change Default App for File Types in macOS 13

This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to set the default application for specific file extensions in macOS 13 Ventura. By adjusting your system settings through Finder, you can ensure that documents, images, media files, and other formats always open in your preferred software automatically.

Steps to Change the Default App for All Files of a Type

  1. Locate the File: Open Finder and navigate to any file that uses the extension you want to reassign (for example, a .pdf, .docx, or .jpg file).
  2. Open the Info Window: Right-click (or Control-click) the file and select Get Info. Alternatively, select the file and press Command + I.
  3. Expand Open With: In the Info panel that appears on the left side of the screen, look for the Open with: section. If it is collapsed, click the small arrow next to it to expand the options.
  4. Select Your App: Click the dropdown menu and choose the application you want to use as the new default. If the app is not listed, choose Other..., navigate to your Applications folder, and select it.
  5. Apply to All Files: Click the Change All... button located directly beneath the dropdown menu.
  6. Confirm the Change: A confirmation dialogue will appear asking if you want to change all similar documents to open with the selected application. Click Continue.

Once confirmed, macOS 13 will update its system associations, and every file sharing that extension will immediately open with your selected application by default.

Changing the Default App for a Single File

If you only want a specific file to open in a different application without changing the behavior for all other files of that type:

  1. Right-click the specific file in Finder.
  2. Select Get Info (or press Command + I).
  3. Expand the Open with: section.
  4. Select the desired program from the dropdown menu, but do not click the "Change All..." button.
  5. Close the Info window. Only that individual file will now open in the chosen software.