I noticed that PDFs and images on my Mac aren’t opening with Preview even though I’d prefer it as the default app. I must have changed something by accident. Can anyone guide me on how to set it as the default application for these files? I’ll appreciate simple steps.
Alright, here’s the deal. Macs can be quirky sometimes, so if Preview isn’t playing the starring role in your PDF or image-opening drama anymore, let’s fix it.
- Find a file (like a random PDF or image) that isn’t opening in Preview because apparently, your Mac thinks it’s rebellious now.
- Right-click it (or control-click if you’re feeling fancy) and select ‘Get Info.’
- In the pop-up, head over to the “Open with” section.
- From there, choose ‘Preview’ from the dropdown menu. To clarify, ‘Preview’ should look like the obvious, correct choice here, but you need to actively select it because apparently settings can’t take care of themselves.
- Then click the “Change All…” button. A warning will pop up, and Apple essentially asks, “Are you sure you want to do the thing you literally just selected?” Yes. Yes, you are. Click it.
Your Mac is now obedient again, and Preview will be your main app for those file types. Just rinse, repeat if needed for other file formats (like .jpg and .png if they’re also misbehaving), because apparently, this process is “granular” (Apple’s way of saying they made you do extra steps you shouldn’t have to). You’re welcome.
Oh, come on. Macs deciding to peace out from your preferences is like toddlers suddenly hating peas—absolutely unpredictable and mildly infuriating. @viaggiatoresolare laid out the steps pretty well (props to them), but here’s my slight beef with their solution. Why does it have to be that manual? Shouldn’t we just expect things like default apps to stay put? Anyway, you can also double-check some broad settings if you’re tired of repeating this madness for every file type:
- Open System Preferences (or System Settings, depending on macOS version—they never stop renaming things).
- Depending on the macOS version (again, thanks for keeping us on our toes, Apple), look for something akin to Apps or Default Applications.
…Oh wait, that useful feature doesn’t exist directly for all files. Cool. Never mind. Looks like individual file types are your fate after all. Apple rather delights in granularity at its users’ inconvenience. So yeah, unless they revolutionize how defaults work in a future update or you find third-party software that lets you override the defaults globally, you’re stuck repeating the ‘right-click, Get Info’ drill for PDFs, jpgs, and whatever else isn’t obeying.
Maybe just don’t touch app associations again unless you’re ready for this wild ride.
If you’re tired of the whole “per-file-type-default-struggle,” here’s another perspective that doesn’t involve tweaking individual files for eternity. Yes, @codecrafter and @viaggiatoresolare gave solid manual steps (props!), but can we not explore alternatives? Let’s leap into Big Picture Mode instead.
Third-Party App Wranglers
Some apps like ‘Default Folder X’ or ‘RCDefaultApp’ (though aging, they sometimes still work) allow you to manage file associations MUCH faster. You get to tweak a broader range of settings in one UI. The catch? It’s not built-in, and macOS security updates occasionally throw tantrums with older tools.
CLI Option for Nerds
Brace yourself for Terminal. Yeah, Apple’s minimalist Terminal can help if you’re up for it—but warning, get comfy with syntax errors:
defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices/com.apple.launchservices.secure LSHandlers -array-add '{ LSHandlerContentType = 'public.pdf'; LSHandlerRoleAll = 'com.apple.Preview'; }'
You’d need to know the file type’s identifier (public.jpeg, etc.) and Preview’s bundle ID (com.apple.Preview). Google those—it’s faster than trial and error. But hey, pros: It does batch magic. Cons? Screwing things up without backup = no bueno.
Limitations
While both these methods automate the slog, they’re “risky business.” Apple tends to block third-party tweaks like these over time.
Ultimately, Apple’s preference for granularity feels like elegance until it’s obnoxious. Ideally, Macs should ship with a robust, centralized tool for Default Apps. We see ya, Microsoft, on that global settings panel.
What works best depends on your comfort level: The manual grind (above), third-party helper apps, or embracing the geek path via Terminal. Choose your weapon!