Preview is a versatile and powerful application on Mac, allowing users to view, edit, and annotate various types of documents. However, sometimes other applications take over as the default application for opening certain types of files. Fortunately, there is a way to make Preview the default app on Mac for opening images, PDFs, and other document types. In this article, we will guide you on how to make Preview default on your Mac.
Why Set Preview as Default?
Setting Preview as the default application on your Mac has several benefits:
- Fast and Convenient: Preview is a native app on Mac, so it opens quickly and seamlessly.
- Advanced Features: Preview offers a range of editing and annotation tools for images and PDFs.
- Consistent Experience: Making Preview the default app ensures a consistent experience when opening documents.
How To Make Preview Default for Images
Follow these steps to set Preview as the default application for opening image files on your Mac:
- Locate an image file on your Mac.
- Right-click on the image file and select Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, find the Open with: section.
- Click on the dropdown menu and choose Preview from the list of applications.
- Next, click on the Change All… button below the dropdown menu.
- A confirmation dialog will appear. Click Continue to set Preview as the default app for all image files.
How To Make Preview Default for PDFs
To make Preview the default app for opening PDF files on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Locate a PDF file on your Mac.
- Right-click on the PDF file and select Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, navigate to the Open with: section.
- Choose Preview from the list of applications in the dropdown menu.
- Click on the Change All… button below the dropdown menu.
- Confirm your selection by clicking Continue in the dialog box that appears.
How To Make Preview Default for Other File Types
If you want to make Preview the default application for other types of files, you can follow a similar process:
- Locate a file of the type you want to associate with Preview.
- Right-click on the file and select Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, go to the Open with: section.
- Choose Preview from the list of applications.
- Click on Change All… to set Preview as the default app for all files of that type.
- Confirm your choice by clicking Continue when prompted.
Resetting Default Applications
If you ever want to reset the default application for a file type back to its original setting, follow these steps:
- Locate a file of the type you want to change the default app for.
- Right-click on the file and select Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, find the Open with: section.
- Click on the dropdown menu and choose the desired application.
- To reset the default app for all files of that type, click on Change All….
- Confirm your selection by clicking Continue.
Final Thoughts
Setting Preview as the default application on your Mac can enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow when dealing with documents. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that Preview opens automatically for images, PDFs, and other file types on your Mac.
