How To Set VLC As Default App On Mac.
There are many compelling arguments for macOS; it’s beautiful, reliable, well thought out, and just works. While this is true, I hate the fact that the default media player on macOS is Quick Time Player. I wanted to use VLC as the default media player for all video files on my Mac. However, let’s make VLC the default app.
I use VLC simply because it is more intuitive than Quick Time Player, supports file types such as MKV, and gives you full control over video playback from your keyboard.
Set VLC as default app on Mac
1. Unlock with: the easy way
MacOS has an option to set any app as default. To set VLC as default for a video file, right-click the file select Get Info.
Also Read: VLC for Apple TV: Troubleshooting 3 Common Issues
Under “Open With”, select VLC from the drop-down menu. Click the Change All button. That’s all you have to do, the video file will open with VLC every time you double click on it or press CMD + DOWN.
However, the problem with this method is that you will have to repeat the process of setting VLC as the default application for each type of video file. If you want to install it and forget, enter the fix, then let’s check the next method.
2. Swift Default App: The Efficient Way
To set VLC as the default app for each video file type, we will install a small utility application, Swift Default Apps. This is the app in the settings panel that allows us to set any app as default. Download the app from the Github page and install it on your system.
Once installed, you will find this app in System Preferences, click the SwiftDefaultApps icon.
Select Apps from the tab bar, scroll down to find VLC and check all the media you want to play with VLC. Now just close System Preferences and that’s it. All video files are now set to VLC.
Read: How to Play MKV Files on Mac
Set VLC as default app on Mac
These were two easy ways to set VLC as your default media player. I don’t mind using the first method, but I consume a lot of video content and setting up playback of each format with VLC is not what I would like to do. SwiftDefaultApps can do a lot more than just set VLC as your default app. What do you think of these methods, let me know in the comments below or tweet me?
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