Tired of the limitations of your Mac’s default video player? Are you craving an enhanced video-viewing experience that caters to your specific preferences? Look no further! Changing the default video player on your Mac is a breeze, opening doors to a world of customizable options that will revolutionize your video-watching habits. With a few simple steps, you can bid farewell to the mundane and embrace a dynamic video landscape.
The journey to video player enlightenment begins with identifying a suitable replacement. Venture into the realm of the Mac App Store or reputable online sources to explore a plethora of options. Consider factors such as playback quality, feature set, and user interface when making your selection. Once you’ve found a contender that aligns with your video-viewing aspirations, it’s time to embark on the installation process. Typically, this involves downloading the app and following the on-screen prompts, a process that should be swift and effortless.
With the new video player gracing your Mac, it’s time to establish it as the default. Head over to System Preferences, a hub where you can customize various aspects of your Mac’s behavior. Navigate to the “General” section and locate the “Default video player” dropdown menu. From the list of options, select your chosen video player, and voila! Your Mac will now effortlessly open videos using your preferred player, elevating your video-watching experience to new heights.
Accessing System Preferences
To embark on the customization process of your default video player, our journey begins by accessing System Preferences, the nerve center of your Mac’s settings. Achieving this is a simple yet pivotal step, paving the way for the adjustments to follow.
Locate the Apple menu, the iconic symbol adorning the top-left corner of your screen. With a gentle click, unveil a drop-down menu, where you’ll find the gateway to System Preferences. Alternatively, you can swiftly utilize the Spotlight feature by pressing Command + Spacebar, then type “System Preferences” into the search field. The system will astutely present you with the desired option.
Once within the System Preferences realm, familiarize yourself with the array of icons representing various settings. Your objective is to locate the “General” icon, which serves as the custodian of default application preferences. With a decisive click, you’ll be transported to the “General” settings tab, where the metamorphosis of your default video player awaits.
Selecting "General"
After launching System Preferences, click on the “General” tab. This section houses various general settings related to the overall behavior and appearance of your Mac’s operating system.
Changing the Default Video App
Under the “General” tab, scroll down until you see the “Default Web Browser” section. Here you’ll find a drop-down menu that lists all the web browsers installed on your system. This menu is also used to set the default video player.
Note: The list of available video players in the drop-down menu may vary depending on the apps you have installed. If you don’t see the desired video player in the list, you may need to install it first before it can be selected as the default.
| Step | Instruction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Locate and click the “Default Web Browser” drop-down menu. |
| 2 | From the list of options, select your desired video player app. |
| 3 | Click on the “Set as Default” button located next to the drop-down menu. |
Once you have followed these steps, your selected video player will become the default for playing videos on your Mac. This means that whenever you click on a video link or open a downloaded video file, it will automatically open in your chosen video player.
Navigating to the Default Web Browser and App Options
To modify your Mac’s default video player, navigate to the “System Preferences” menu by clicking on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and selecting “System Preferences.” From there, select the “General” tab and look for the “Default Web Browser” and “Default Email Application” options. Beside each of these options, you will see a drop-down menu that allows you to select the desired default application. By making a selection from these drop-down menus, you can set your preferred web browser and email client as your system defaults.
Setting the Default Video Player
To set the default video player, you need to access the “Applications” folder on your Mac. Click on the “Go” menu in the Finder and select “Applications.” Once in the “Applications” folder, find the video player application that you want to set as your default. Right-click on the application icon and select “Get Info.” Locate the “Open With” section in the “Get Info” window. By clicking on the drop-down menu, you can select your preferred video player as the default option for opening video files.
Additional Customization Options
Within the “Open With” section of the “Get Info” window, you have several additional customization options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| “Change All” | Sets the selected video player as the default for opening all video files, regardless of their file extension. |
| “Use Default Applications” | Reverts the default video player to the system-wide default set in the “General” tab of “System Preferences.” |
| “Add” | Allows you to add a specific file extension to the list of file types that will be opened using the selected video player. |
| “Remove” | Removes a specific file extension from the list of file types that will be opened using the selected video player. |
Changing the Default Video Player
If you prefer to use a different video player than the default on your Mac, you can quickly change it with just a few clicks.
- Locate the video file you want to open.
- Control-click (or right-click) on the file.
- Select “Get Info” from the context menu.
- In the “Open With” section, click on the down arrow and select “Other…”
A pop-up window will appear with a list of applications that can open the selected file. This list may include multiple video player options.
| 1. Click the checkbox next to your preferred video player. |
|---|
| 2. Check the box next to “Always Open With” if you want this player to be the default for all future video files. |
| 3. Click “Open” to complete the process. |
Now, your selected video player will be set as the default for opening all video files on your Mac. You can repeat this process whenever you want to change the default video player or switch back to the original default.
Confirming the Change
Once you have set your preferred video player as the default, you can confirm the change by opening a video file. The video should automatically open in your chosen player. To further verify the change:
1. Check the Playback Menu
Within the video player’s menu bar, click on “Playback.” If your selected player is set as the default, the “Open With External Player” option will be grayed out.
2. Inspect File Properties
Right-click on the video file and select “Get Info.” In the “Open With” section, your default video player should be listed. If it is not, click the “Change All” button and select your desired player from the drop-down menu.
3. Open a Different Video File
To ensure the change is consistent, try opening a different video file. It should also open in your chosen default player.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Playback Menu | Click “Playback” > Check for grayed-out “Open With External Player” |
| File Properties | Right-click on file > “Get Info” > Check “Open With” section > Change if necessary |
| Open a Different File | Open a different video file > Verify that it opens in the default player |
Using a Third-Party Application for Default Video Player Management
In this era of digital content consumption, selecting the preferred video player on Mac becomes crucial. While the default QuickTime player offers basic functionalities, users might seek enhanced features and customization options available in third-party applications. Here’s how to change the default video player using a third-party application:
1. Choose a Third-Party Video Player
Select a reliable third-party video player that meets your requirements. Popular options include VLC, IINA, and MPV.
2. Install the Third-Party Video Player
Download and install the chosen third-party video player from its official website or a reputable app store.
3. Launch the Third-Party Video Player
Once installed, launch the third-party video player.
4. Specify File Associations
Navigate to the "General" or "Preferences" tab within the third-party video player’s settings. Under "File Associations," check the box(es) beside the file formats you want the player to handle.
5. Make the Third-Party Player the Default
To set the third-party player as the default for all associated file formats, find the "Set as Default" or "Always Open With" option within the file association settings. Click the corresponding button to make it the default.
6. Test the Default Video Player
To confirm that the default video player has been changed, open a video file of the associated format. It should automatically launch in the third-party video player.
Configuring Default Video Player in Safari
Safari, the default web browser on Mac, allows you to specify a custom video player to handle online video content. By changing the default video player, you can improve playback performance, access additional features, and customize your video viewing experience.
To configure the default video player in Safari, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Safari” Menu
In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select the “Safari” menu.
2. Select “Preferences”
From the drop-down menu, choose “Preferences” to open the Safari Preferences window.
3. Navigate to the “Websites” Tab
In the Safari Preferences window, click on the “Websites” tab in the top menu bar.
4. Select “Auto-Play” from the Left Sidebar
On the left sidebar of the “Websites” tab, scroll down and select “Auto-Play” under the “Playback” section.
5. Find the “Video Player” Option
In the right-hand pane, under the “Auto-Play” section, look for the “Video Player” option.
6. Choose Your Preferred Video Player
Click on the drop-down menu next to “Video Player” and select the video player you want to use as the default. You can choose from Safari, QuickTime Player, or other installed compatible video players.
7. Customize Additional Settings (Optional)
If you prefer, you can further customize the video player settings by clicking on the “Player Settings” button next to the Video Player option. In the Player Settings window, you can adjust the video playback quality, enable or disable subtitles, and configure other video-related preferences.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Quality | Select the desired video quality for playback. |
| Subtitles | Toggle subtitles on or off. |
| Loop | Enable this option to restart the video automatically after it finishes playing. |
| Mute | Start videos with the sound muted. |
Setting Default Video Player in Other Applications
If you wish to adjust the default video player in other applications besides Safari, the process varies depending on the software. Here are instructions for common applications:
Google Chrome
Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, select “Settings,” and scroll down to “Default browser.” Under “Default apps,” choose “Set as default” for the “Video” option.
Opera
Launch Opera, click the “Opera” icon in the top-left corner, and choose “Settings.” Navigate to the “Privacy & security” tab, scroll down to “Default browser,” and under “Default apps,” click “Set as default” for “Video.”
Firefox
Open Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, and select “Options.” Go to the “General” tab, scroll down to “Applications,” and choose the desired video player from the dropdown menu for “Video.”
Microsoft Edge
Launch Edge, click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner, and select “Settings.” Under “Default browser,” choose “Set as default” for the “Video” option.
Internet Explorer
Open Internet Explorer, click the gear icon in the top-right corner, and select “Internet Options.” Navigate to the “Programs” tab, click “Associate files,” and select the desired video player under “Video.”
Troubleshooting Common Errors
If you encounter issues when changing the default video player in Mac, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check File Associations
Ensure that the file extensions you want to associate with your preferred video player are correctly set up.
2. Clear Cache
Try clearing the cache by pressing ‘Command’ + ‘Option’ + ‘Esc’ and select ‘Clear Cache’ from the Finder menu.
3. Reset Finder
Close all Finder windows, press ‘Command’ + ‘Option’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘R’, and relaunch Finder.
4. Check Permissions
Make sure you have administrator permissions to make changes to the default video player.
5. Disable Third-Party Apps
Temporarily disable any third-party apps that may interfere with video playback.
6. Update macOS
Install any available macOS updates to address potential bugs.
7. Repair Disk
Use Disk Utility to repair disk permissions by clicking ‘Applications’ > ‘Utilities’ > ‘Disk Utility’.
8. Recreate Library Folder
If the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.QuickTime.player.plist file is corrupted, delete it and restart your Mac.
9. Advanced Troubleshooting
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| “Cannot modify file associations” | Try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode by holding ‘Shift’ during startup. |
| “Video player not responding” | Force quit the video player and relaunch it. Check for updates or reinstall the app. |
| “Incorrect file format” | Ensure the file you’re attempting to play is compatible with your chosen video player. |
Benefits of Changing the Default Video Player
Changing the default video player on your Mac offers a range of advantages:
1. Improved Functionality and Compatibility
Alternative video players may support a wider range of video file formats, codecs, and subtitles, allowing you to play videos that are otherwise incompatible with the default player.
2. Enhanced Visual Experience
Dedicated video players often offer advanced video playback features, such as custom audio and video filters, color adjustments, and playback speed controls, enhancing the viewing experience.
3. Customizable User Interface
Third-party video players provide customizable user interfaces, allowing you to tailor the player’s appearance, shortcuts, and playback options to your preferences.
4. Support for External Devices
Some video players offer support for external devices, such as DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and streaming devices, expanding your video playback capabilities.
5. Advanced Playback Controls
Dedicated video players feature advanced playback controls, including frame-by-frame navigation, slow motion, and loop playback options, enabling precise and convenient video manipulation.
6. Integration with Other Applications
Certain video players integrate with other applications, such as video editors and screen recorders, providing seamless workflows for video creation and sharing.
7. Privacy Enhancements
Some video players prioritize privacy, offering features like ad blocking, tracking protection, and data encryption to safeguard your browsing and viewing activities.
8. Community Support and Updates
Third-party video players often have active community forums and support channels, providing access to troubleshooting assistance, feature requests, and the latest updates.
9. Lightweight and Efficient
Dedicated video players can be lightweight and efficient, conserving system resources and reducing video loading times, especially for low-powered Macs.
10. Better Accessibility Options
Some video players offer enhanced accessibility features, such as keyboard shortcuts, magnified viewing, and closed captioning support, catering to users with disabilities.
How to Change Default Video Player in Mac
When you click on a video file on your Mac, it will automatically open in the default video player. If you’re not happy with the default video player, you can change it to a different one.
Here are the steps on how to change the default video player in Mac:
- Open the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
- Click on “General.”
- Click on the “Default apps” tab.
- Select “Video Player” from the drop-down menu.
- Select the video player that you want to use.
People also ask
How to change the default video player on a specific file?
To change the default video player for a specific video file, right-click on the video file and select “Get Info”. You will then see the default video player listed under the “Open with” section. Click on the “Open with” drop-down menu and select the video player that you want to use.
How to change the default video player for all video files?
To change the default video player for all video files, follow the steps mentioned in the question above. Once you have selected the video player that you want to use, click on the “Change All” button. This will set the selected video player as the default video player for all video files on your Mac.
