Rebuild Launch Services Database in macOS 13

If your Mac displays duplicate apps in the "Open With" contextual menu, shows generic document icons, or fails to associate files with the correct software in macOS 13 Ventura, rebuilding the Launch Services database resolves these issues. This guide provides the exact Terminal command needed to reset the registry, clear corrupted associations, and restore standard file-handling behavior.

Why Rebuild Launch Services?

Launch Services is the macOS subsystem responsible for opening documents with the appropriate applications. Over time, app updates, uninstalled software, and system caches can cause the database to become corrupt. Common symptoms include:

  • The "Open With" menu listing the same app multiple times.
  • Documents failing to open when double-clicked.
  • Known file types displaying blank or generic white page icons.
  • The system asking you to choose an application for standard files like .pdf or .jpg.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To rebuild the database in macOS 13, you will use the built-in lsregister command-line utility via Terminal.

  1. Open Terminal: Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Terminal, and press Return. Alternatively, navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

  2. Execute the Rebuild Command: Copy and paste the following command into the Terminal window:

    /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

  3. Run the Command: Press Return.

The process may take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of applications installed on your system. Terminal will not display a progress bar; a new command prompt line will simply appear once the process is complete.

Apply the Changes

Once the command finishes, restart the Finder and the Dock to force them to read the newly generated database. Run the following command in Terminal:

killall Finder Dock

Your desktop and Dock will disappear briefly and then reload. For the most thorough result, restart your Mac. When the system boots back up, your file associations, application icons, and "Open With" menu options will be fully restored.