Change the default web browser or email app on Mac

Choose which app opens when you click a link for a website or email address.

Change the default web browser

Find out which version of macOS you're using, then follow the appropriate steps.

In macOS Ventura or later

  1. Make sure that the other web browser you want to use is already installed.

  2. From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings.

  3. Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.

  4. Scroll down on the right and choose a web browser from the “Default web browser” menu.

In earlier versions of macOS

  1. Make sure that the other web browser you want to use is already installed.

  2. From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences.

  3. Click General.

  4. Choose a web browser from the “Default web browser” menu.

Change the default email app

  1. Make sure that the other email app you want to use is already installed.

  2. Open the Mail app and make sure that it's set up to use any email account. If necessary, add an email account. You can remove or disable the account in Mail settings after you complete the remaining steps. If you don't want to temporarily add an email account, check the settings of your other email app: it might offer a way to set itself as the default email app.

  3. From the Mail menu in the menu bar, choose Settings (or Preferences).

  4. Click General, then choose an email app from the “Default email reader” pop-up menu. If you don't see your email app in the menu, choose Select from the menu, then select your email app from the file dialog that opens.

If you're using webmail (email in a web browser) instead of an email app, you can choose a web browser in Mail settings, but the browser might not open webmail automatically when you click email links. Some third-party browsers and webmail services might have their own settings to change this behavior.

Learn more

Change the default web browser or email app on iPhone or iPad

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