Default Media Player Mac How To Set
For Mac users, choosing the default media player can be a crucial step in tailoring their user experience. Different media players offer unique features and capabilities, and setting the default player ensures that all media files are handled in a preferred manner. However, navigating the Mac settings and configuring the default media player can sometimes be a bit tricky. In this article, we will delve into a step-by-step guide on how to set your preferred media player as the default on your Mac. Whether you prefer the convenience of QuickTime Player or the advanced capabilities of VLC, this comprehensive guide will take you through the process effortlessly
Navigating the Mac Settings:
To set the default media player on your Mac, you need to venture into the System Preferences, the central hub for configuring various settings on your device. Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu. Once there, locate the “General” icon and click on it to access the general settings of your Mac. Scroll down until you find the “Default Media Player” option, which is where you can assign your preferred media player as the default for handling all media files. Now, it’s time to choose your champion!
Setting a Default Player for All Media Files
To set a default media player for all media files on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences by clicking on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting “System Preferences”.
- Click on the “General” icon.
- Scroll down to the “Default web browser” section and select the media player you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Set Default” button.
Changing the Default Player for Specific File Types
If you want to set a different default player for specific file types, such as videos or music, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the Finder and navigate to the file you want to change the default player for.
- Right-click on the file and select “Get Info”.
- In the “General” section, click on the “Open with” drop-down menu and select the media player you want to use.
- Click on the “Change All” button.
| File Type | Default Player |
|---|---|
| Videos | QuickTime Player |
| Music | Music |
| Images | Preview |
| Documents | TextEdit |
You can also change the default player for all files of a specific type by following these steps:
- Open System Preferences by clicking on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting “System Preferences”.
- Click on the “File & Folder Sharing” icon.
- Select the “Advanced Options” tab.
- In the “Default applications” section, click on the “Change All” button next to the file type you want to change.
- Select the media player you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Set Default” button.
Changing File Type Associations
Macs have a built-in media player that can play various file formats. However, you can change the default media player for specific file types if desired. Here’s how:
- Locate the file whose association you want to change: Find the file in the Finder and right-click on it.
- Select “Get Info”: This will open a window displaying information about the file, including its file type.
- Click on the “Open With” drop-down menu: A list of suggested applications that can open the file will appear.
- Choose the preferred application: Select the application you want to use as the default media player for the file type. If the desired application is not listed, click “Other” and browse to its location.
- Check the “Always Open With” box: This will ensure that the selected application becomes the default media player for all files of the same type.
- Click “Change All”: This will apply the default media player setting to all files of the same type.
You can also use the following table to quickly change the default media player for common file types:
| File Type | Default Media Player |
|---|---|
| MP3 | Music |
| MP4 | QuickTime Player |
| MOV | QuickTime Player |
| AVI | VLC Media Player |
| FLV | Adobe Flash Player |
By following these steps, you can easily set your preferred media player as the default for specific file types or all files of a particular type.
Customizing Default Media Player
When you open a media file on your Mac, the default media player will automatically launch and play the file. You can customize which media player is used as the default for different file types.
1. System Preferences
Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” Then, click on the “General” icon.
2. Default Web Browser
A drop-down menu will appear under the “Default web browser” section. Click on the menu and select your preferred default media player.
3. Click on the “Apple” logo
Open the “System Preferences” menu and go to “Sound.” In the “Output” tab, you can select the default output device for audio playback.
4. “Set as Default”
To set the selected player as the default for all compatible file types, click on the “Set as Default” button.
5. Supported File Types
The “Supported File Types” table lists all the file types that the selected player can open. You can add or remove file types from this list by clicking on the “+” or “-” buttons.
| File Type |
|---|
| MP3 |
| MP4 |
| AVI |
6. Third-Party Media Players
If you want to use a third-party media player as the default, you will need to install it on your Mac. Once installed, you can set it as the default in the “General” tab of the “System Preferences” menu.
7. File Info
To set a specific media player as the default for a single file, right-click on the file and select “Get Info.” In the “Open With” section, select the desired media player and click on the “Change All” button.
8. Setting Default Media Player for Specific File Types
You can set different default media players for different file types by following these steps:
- Open “Finder” and navigate to the file you want to open.
- Right-click on the file and select “Get Info.”
- In the “Open With” section, select the desired media player from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Change All” button to set the selected media player as the default for all files of the same type.
Default Media Player Mac: How to Set
If you want to set a default media player on your Mac, you can do so by following these steps:
1.
Open the System Preferences.
2.
Click on General.
3.
Scroll down to the Default Media Player section.
4.
Click on the drop-down menu and select the media player you want to use as the default.
5.
Click on the Close button.
Once you have set a default media player, all media files will automatically open in that media player.
People Also Ask
What is the default media player on Mac?
The default media player on Mac is QuickTime Player.
How do I change the default media player on Mac?
To change the default media player on Mac, follow the steps outlined in the main section of this article.
Why is my default media player not working on Mac?
If your default media player is not working on Mac, it may be because the media player is not installed or is not compatible with your version of macOS.
