A default app is the program your device automatically opens when you click on a certain type of file

When you click on a photo, your phone or computer needs to know which program to use. A default app is the program you have chosen to be that automatic choice. If you set Photos as your default, every photo you click will open in Photos. If you change it to a different program, that new program opens instead.

Default apps exist because most file types can open in multiple programs. A PDF can open in Adobe Reader, your web browser, or a dedicated PDF viewer. A music file can open in Spotify, Apple Music, or your device's built-in player. Without a default, your device would ask you every single time which program you want to use — which would be exhausting.

Setting a default is not permanent. You can change it whenever you want, and you can still open a file in a different program even if another app is set as default. Right-clicking a file and choosing "Open with" lets you pick a different program just for that one time.

Key Takeaways

  • A default app is the program that automatically opens when you click on a file of a certain type, like photos, videos, or documents.
  • Most file types can open in multiple programs, so your device uses the default to avoid asking you every time.
  • You can change your default app at any time, and changing it does not affect files already open in other programs.
  • You can open a file in a non-default program by right-clicking and selecting "Open with" without changing your overall default.

Why you might want to change your default app

You might change a default app because you prefer a different program, because you installed something new, or because a program you do not use often keeps being set as default after updates. Some people prefer a lighter or faster program for everyday use. Others want a program with more features for specific work.

Changing defaults is also useful when you have multiple programs that do the same job. You might use one browser for work and another for personal browsing, or one email program for your main account and another for a side business. Setting each as default for different file types or links keeps your workflow organized.

Sometimes a program you installed will change your defaults without asking. This is common with web browsers and media players. If you notice your files suddenly opening in a program you did not choose, you can change the default back to what you prefer.

How defaults work on different devices

On Windows computers, you set defaults through Settings under "Apps" or "Default apps," depending on your Windows version. You can set a default for file types (like .jpg or .mp3) or for actions (like what opens when you click a web link).

On Mac computers, you right-click a file, select "Get Info," and choose a default program from the "Open with" dropdown. You can also set defaults for file types through System Preferences under "General" or by using the "Change All" button in Get Info.

On iPhones and iPads, you set defaults in Settings under the app name itself — for example, Settings > Safari to set Safari as your default browser, or Settings > Mail to set Mail as your default email app. Android phones have a similar system in Settings > Apps.

What happens when you do not set a default

If you have never set a default, your device usually picks one automatically based on what you use most often or what came pre-installed. On Windows, Microsoft Edge or Notepad might be defaults. On Mac, Safari or Preview might be. On phones, the built-in apps are usually defaults.

If you have multiple programs that can open the same file type and no clear default is set, your device may ask you to choose every time, or it may open the most recently used program. This can feel random and is one reason people set defaults deliberately.

You do not have to set a default if you are happy with what your device chose. But if you find yourself always opening files in a different program than the one that appears, setting a default saves time and frustration.

The difference between a default app and pinning or favoriting

A default app is different from pinning an app to your home screen or adding it to your favorites. Pinning makes an app straightforward to find and launch. A default app controls what happens automatically when you interact with a file or link.

You can have an app pinned to your home screen but not set as a default. You can also have an app set as default but never launch it manually — it only opens when you click on the right type of file. The two settings are independent.

When you might want multiple defaults for the same file type

Some devices let you set different defaults based on context. For example, you might want PDFs to open in a lightweight viewer for quick reading, but in a more powerful editor when you need to annotate or edit. On some systems, you can set one as your primary default and still quickly access the other through "Open with."

On Android, you can set different defaults for different actions — one browser for web links and another for email links, for instance. On Windows, you can set defaults by file type or by protocol (like http:// for web links). This flexibility lets you match the right tool to the right task without changing your overall default every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different default apps for different file types?

Yes. You can set one program as default for photos, another for videos, and another for documents. On Windows, you set these individually in Default Apps settings. On Mac, you do this through Get Info for each file type. This lets you use the best program for each kind of file.

What if I change my default and then change my mind?

You can change it back at any time. Go to the same settings where you changed it the first time and select your original program. Changing defaults does not delete any files or programs, so you can switch back and forth as often as you want.

Does setting a default app affect files I already have open?

No. Files already open in another program stay open in that program. Changing your default only affects files you open after the change. If you have a document open in Word and change your default to Google Docs, that document stays in Word until you close it.

Why did my default app change without me doing anything?

Some programs change your defaults when you install or update them. Web browsers and media players do this often. If this happens, you can change your default back through your device settings. Some devices also let you prevent programs from changing defaults automatically.

Can I set a default app on my phone the same way I do on my computer?

The process is similar but slightly different. On phones, you usually go to Settings and find the app name, then look for a "default" or "default app" option. On computers, you go to a central settings area for all defaults. Both let you choose which program opens which file type.