Change Default Media Player Mac: Step-by-Step

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To change the default media player on a Mac, you set which app opens when you double-click a file type (like MP4 or MP3) by using the “Get Info� window. This guide walks you through changing the default for one file type or all files of that type, and covers common issues like grayed-out options and resetting to Apple’s apps.

Why Change the Default Player?

macOS ships with QuickTime Player for video and audio, and Music (formerly iTunes) for audio files. They work well for basic playback, but many users prefer third-party players for additional codecs, subtitle support, or playback speed controls. Changing the default means your preferred app opens automatically when you double-click a file, saving you the extra step of right-clicking and choosing “Open With� every time.

How to Change the Default for One File Type

In Finder, locate any file of the type you want to change (for example, an .mp4 video).
Control-click (or right-click) the file and choose Get Info from the menu. You can also select the file and press Command-I.
In the Info window, find the Open with section. Click the dropdown menu and select your preferred player (e.g., VLC, IINA, or MPV).
Click the Change All… button that appears below the dropdown. Confirm by clicking Continue in the dialog.
Close the Info window. Now all files of that type will open with your chosen app by default.

This method works for any file type, not just media. You can use it for PDFs, images, text files, and more. The “Change All� button only affects the specific file extension (like .mp4) and does not change other types (like .mov).

What If “Change All� Is Grayed Out?

If the “Change All� button is grayed out, it usually means the selected app does not declare that it can handle the file type in its own metadata. For example, some lightweight players might not list themselves as capable of opening .mkv files even if they actually can. In that case, you can still open the file with the app once (right-click → Open With → choose the app), but you won’t be able to set it as the default through this method. A workaround is to use a utility like “Default App� or “RCDefaultApp� (third-party apps) that can force the association, but these are not officially supported by Apple and may break with system updates.

How to Reset to Apple’s Default Apps

If you want to go back to the original behavior, repeat the steps above and select QuickTime Player (for video) or Music (for audio) from the dropdown, then click “Change All�. For audio files like MP3, the default is usually Music, but if you have set something else, you can change it back the same way. If you find that a file type has no default at all (opens with “none�), you can use the same Get Info method to assign one.

Changing Defaults for All Media at Once

There is no built-in setting to change the default for all media types simultaneously. You must repeat the Get Info process for each file extension you care about (e.g., .mp4, .mov, .mkv, .mp3, .flac). If you want a global change, some third-party players offer a “Set as default� option in their preferences. For example, VLC has a “Check for updates� but no global default setting; however, IINA has a “Set as default player� button in its settings. These options typically write the same system associations that the Get Info method does, so they work for multiple extensions at once.

Common Problems and Solutions

File still opens in the old app: Ensure you clicked “Change All� and confirmed. If you only changed the dropdown without clicking “Change All�, it applies only to that one file.
No “Open with� dropdown: This happens if you are looking at a file that is an alias or a package. Open the original file instead.
Default keeps resetting after updates: Some apps (like VLC) may re-register themselves as default after an update. You may need to redo the association.
Cannot select a player in the dropdown: The app must be in your Applications folder. If it’s not listed, click “Other…� and navigate to the app manually.
File type not showing any default: Some rare file types have no default app. You can set one using the same Get Info method, but you must first open the file once with the desired app.

Comparing Default Players: QuickTime vs. VLC vs. IINA

QuickTime is Apple’s native player, lightweight and efficient, but it supports only a limited set of codecs (H.264, HEVC, MP4, MOV). It cannot play MKV, AVI, or FLAC without conversion. VLC is open-source and plays almost anything, including DVDs and network streams, but its interface feels dated. IINA is a modern player built for macOS, with a clean design, supports many codecs, and integrates with the system’s picture-in-picture. MPV is a command-line-based player that is highly customizable but not user-friendly for beginners. Your choice depends on whether you need broad format support or a native look and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default app for all videos at once?
There is no single switch. You must change the default for each video file extension (.mp4, .mov, .mkv) via Get Info. Some third-party players like IINA offer a “Set as default player� button that handles multiple extensions in one click.

Why does my Mac keep opening videos in QuickTime even after I changed it?
You may have changed the default for only one file, not the whole type. Use “Change All� in Get Info. Also, check if the file extension is actually what you think—some files have extensions like .mp4 but are actually a different container.

Can I set a default player for audio files separately from video?
Yes. Audio file types like .mp3, .flac, and .m4a are separate from video types. Use the same Get Info method on an audio file to set its default player independently.

Will changing the default affect my system performance?
No. The default association is just a preference; it does not run the app in the background or affect system resources. The player only launches when you open a file.

How do I make a file always open with a specific app without changing the default?
You can right-click the file, hold the Option key, and choose “Always Open With� from the menu. This sets the default for that file type without going through Get Info.

What if I don’t see my preferred app in the “Open with� list?
Click “Other…� at the bottom of the list and navigate to the app in your Applications folder. Make sure the app is compatible with your macOS version and is not a web app or a script.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.