Make sure you're on the latest version of the Slack desktop app. If not, update your app. If you're having trouble with calls on the desktop app, open your workspace in Google Chrome and try making a call. If calls aren't connecting from the desktop app or browser, try starting a call from the Slack mobile app on the same Wi-Fi network. Choose your email app from the 'Default email reader' pop-up menu. You can also set your default email app in the preferences of your third-party email app. Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is.
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MacOS already comes with some well-thought-of pre-installed apps that are designed to be used for different functions and services. These apps let you use your Mac straight out of the box. However, even though macOS’s exclusive apps are by far some of the most reliable ones to date, each of us tends to have personal preferences. For instance, you might favor using Chrome over Safari for web browsing. In this article, we’ll share with you how to change default apps in Mac to your preferred ones.
How To Set Default Browser On Mac
What Are Default Mac Apps?
Default apps are the programs that automatically launch when you perform an action on your Mac. For example, if you haven’t installed and set up a different browser yet, any web link you click will open on Safari, Apple’s proprietary web browser. To give you an idea, here are some of the most basic pre-installed apps you may find on your Mac:
- App Store
- Automator
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Dashboard
- FaceTime
- DVD Player
- Game Center
- iBooks
- iMovie
- iTunes
- Launchpad
- Maps
- Photos
- QuickTime Player
- Safari
- Time Machine
Some of these apps are indispensable, such as Automator and Time Machine. On the other hand, some are plainly extras that you can live without, such as Game Center and Launchpad. Meanwhile, there are those apps that are actually quite useful, but can be substituted by other apps that may do the job better. These include iBooks, QuickTime Player, Mail, Maps, and as exampled earlier, Safari. If you want to use another app in place of the default apps in Mac, you have two options: temporarily use a different app or permanently change the default app for specific functions.
Temporarily Using Another App To Perform A Task
It is straightforward and won’t require you to tinker with your Mac’s settings in any way. To try doing this, do the following steps:
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- Download the app you want to use. For instance, VLC Player for playing movies and other video files. If you already have it, go to the next step.
- Open Finder. Look for the file you want to play. Right-click on it. On the menu, select Open With. The list of usable apps relevant to the file will appear. You will see the default app at the top of the list.
- Select the alternative app you want to use. The file will now open in that app.
How To Change The Mac Default App Settings
If you think you’re going to use alternative apps for a long time, it’s better to just set them up as default apps instead of doing the method above every single time. However, keep in mind that you can’t change default app settings in one go. But, don’t worry. Switching default apps shouldn’t take long. What’s good about this is you can always change your default apps.
Changing Default Browser
Safari is the default browser for all Apple devices. If you have installed other browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera, you probably got a message asking to make them your default browser. If you ignored that request before, you could make any of them your default browser now.
- Go to System Preferences > General.
- Locate Default Web Browser.
- Click the drop-down menu to see the available browsers that can be set as default.
- Click on your browser of choice to set it as default.
Changing Default Email App
Apple’s Mail app is pretty straightforward and easy to use. However, for some, it can be too honest that it lacks some cool features that other email apps have. To switch from Mail to another email app you’ve downloaded and installed, do these:
- Open the Mail app. Go to Mail > Preferences.
- Find Default Email Reader. Click it to open the list of other email clients on your mac.
- Select the email app you want to use.
Changing Default Apps For Various Types Of Files
You can also change the default app or program to open certain file types, such as photos and videos. Here’s how:
- Open Finder. Right-click on the file you want to open a different app.
- On the menu, click Get Info.
- A box will appear. Find “Open with:” Click it.
- Click the drop-down menu to choose a new default app.
- Click Choose All. Now, all files of that type will open on your newly set default app.
On a final note, no matter what apps you set as default, it’s essential that you keep your Mac in tip-top condition. Tweakbit MacRepair can help you with that. By taking care of your Mac’s storage space, RAM, and battery, you are sure to enjoy using your Mac better and longer.
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If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.Slack is a powerful team collaboration platform with both a desktop and web based option on PC and Mac.
The Slack desktop app is free to use and has mostly the same functionality as the Slack browser version. But what differences are there on the desktop version that make it stand out?
There are certainly some differences, but are there enough benefits of using the Slack desktop app to make the switch? We will explain everything you need to know because it’s not so clear straight away.
Desktop Notifications Is Why You Should Use The Slack Desktop App
We say ‘better desktop notifications’ because you can set up notifications via your browser, but the experience isn’t as great. The main reason is simple – if you close the tab that has your Slack workspace, you’ll no longer receive notifications. You must actively have a tab open.
On the Slack desktop app, you can close down the window and by default it will minimize to your tray, and at this point any notifications you may get will still appear. This allows you to put Slack out of the way but you still won’t miss anything important.
In terms of actual notification functionality, it’s very similar on both desktop and the browser. On both platforms you can change notification sounds and set notification settings for threads you follow. You can choose to set notifications for all messages or just messages that contain an @mention or keyword you’ve included in the keyword list on the notification preferences page.
Two extra features on desktop allow you to set how notifications are delivered. You can choose to have notifications delivered via Slack’s built-in notification system, via Windows Action Center, or an abbreviated notification also via Windows Action Center. For browser notifications, you are forced to use the Windows Action Center.
You can also set the browser icon to flash when you receive a notification so that you don’t forget about it. With these subtle changes to the Slack desktop app, it’s far easier to catch every important message or conversation.
More Keyboard Shortcuts
Using the Slack desktop app also gives you a larger selection of keyboard shortcuts. Many of the keyboard shortcuts are carried over from the browser, but additional ones are added. This is because there are many shortcuts reserved for the browser that get freed up by using the standalone desktop app.
![Set default browser mac os Set default browser mac os](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126419055/636396105.jpg)
We have provided an overview of which keyboard shortcuts are only available on the Slack desktop app below.
Ctrl+F – Use Slack search
Ctrl+Shift+M – Open the Activity panel
Ctrl+Shift+I – Open the Channel details panel
![Change Change](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126419055/560403569.jpg)
Change Default Browser Slack
Ctrl+J – Jump to unread messages
It may not seem like much, but these few additional shortcuts help to bring more convenience. As an example, we all know how Slack has one of the most powerful search engines in a team collaboration software, so being able to quickly navigate there with Ctrl+F so we don’t have to take our hands off of the keyboard will certainly save some time over your lifetime with Slack.
Launch Slack More Conveniently
You can set it so Slack will start as soon as you turn your system on. On top of this, once Slack is open, it will minimize each time you click the close window button, which means it’s always there in the background, ready to access at any time.
The Slack desktop app is a great alternative to those that need Slack at a finger’s reach. Sure, you can quickly access Slack in your browser too, but the desktop app just makes it that little bit more convenient.
Easier Switching Between Slack Teams
The browser functionality for switching between Slack teams works like this – you sign into multiple teams, and you use Ctrl + 1-9 to switch between workspaces. The trouble is, the browser will often override this command to switch you between different tabs too.
A solution could be to open multiple tabs on your browser and have one tab for each workspace, but this becomes messy and it’s overwhelming if you need to quickly browse through multiple workspaces.
On desktop, the Ctrl+1-9 commands will work without any issue, but you can also see your workspaces in the top left – there is a small panel where all workspace icons are visible. At any time you can click the + button to add more here too.
Summary: Slack Desktop Isn’t Needed, But It’s Beneficial
The great thing about Slack is that all functionality is available in the browser already, but the additional convenience that comes with using a desktop application cannot be ignored. It’s as simple as having more keyboard shortcuts freed up, more freedom to control and monitor your notifications, and more convenience to switch between different workspaces.
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You may also like that using the Slack desktop app allows you to resize the window, which is useful when working with a small display. It’s possible on the browser too, but you must then deal with all other tabs in your browser being reduced in size. You could open another browser window, but then it messes with your workflow as you’re constantly switching between two browser windows.
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In summary, the benefits are small, but convenient enough to seriously consider. What are your thoughts on Slack? Is it worth using the desktop app, or would you prefer to use different team collaboration software? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.