How to Modify the Default Video Player App on Your Mac- A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Change Default Video Viewer App on Mac

In the world of Mac computers, the default video viewer app is often a source of frustration for users who prefer a different media player. Whether you’re looking for a more feature-rich experience or simply want to use a specific app for your video playback needs, changing the default video viewer on your Mac is a straightforward process. This article will guide you through the steps to change your default video viewer app on a Mac.

Step 1: Identify the Video Player You Want to Set as Default

Before you can change the default video viewer on your Mac, you need to know which app you want to use. Common video players include VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and other third-party applications. Make sure you have the desired app installed on your Mac.

Step 2: Open Terminal

To change the default video viewer, you’ll need to use the Terminal application. You can find it by searching for “Terminal” in Spotlight (Cmd + Space) or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Step 3: Use the ` defaults write ` Command

In the Terminal, you’ll use the `defaults write` command to set the new default video viewer. The command format is as follows:

“`
defaults write com.apple.openelp default-video-player -string “bundle identifier”
“`

Replace `”bundle identifier”` with the actual bundle identifier of the app you want to set as the default. You can find the bundle identifier by right-clicking on the app’s icon, selecting “Get Info,” and looking under the “Identifier” field. For example, if you want to set VLC Media Player as the default, the bundle identifier would be `org.videolan.vlc`.

Step 4: Set the New Default

Now that you have the bundle identifier, enter the following command into the Terminal:

“`
defaults write com.apple.openelp default-video-player -string “org.videolan.vlc”
“`

Press Enter, and the Terminal will execute the command. If you receive a message saying “The domain of the defaults write command is not found,” you may need to run the Terminal as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Terminal icon and select “Run as Administrator.”

Step 5: Verify the Change

To ensure that the change has taken effect, open a video file on your Mac. If everything is set up correctly, the new default video viewer should open the file automatically.

Step 6: Reset to Default if Necessary

If you ever want to revert to the original default video viewer, you can use the following command in the Terminal:

“`
defaults delete com.apple.openelp default-video-player
“`

This will remove the custom setting and restore the default video viewer on your Mac.

By following these simple steps, you can easily change the default video viewer app on your Mac to suit your preferences. Whether you’re a fan of VLC Media Player or another third-party application, making this change can enhance your video playback experience.