How to Make VLC Your Default Media Player on macOS

Setting VLC as your default media player on macOS can make your multimedia browsing experience smoother and more efficient. This guide will walk you through the process of configuring VLC to open various audio and video file types as your default media player.

Method 1: Changing the Default Application Manually

To manually set VLC as the default media player for specific file types, follow these steps:

Select a file with the format you wish to change. For example, an MP3, MP4, picture, or AVI file using the Finder. Right-click on the file and select Get Info (or press Cmd I) to open the Properties window. In the Open with dropdown, select VLC media player. Click the Change All button to apply this setting to all files with the same extension.

This method is straightforward but requires you to repeat the process for each file type you want to associate with VLC.

Method 2: Using RCDefaultApp

For a more streamlined solution, you can use RCDefaultApp. This tool allows you to easily set VLC as the default media player for entire categories of files.

Steps:

Download and install RCDefaultApp from the official website. Open the Default Apps preference pane in System Preferences. Switch to the Apps tab and select VLC media player. Here, you can check all the file formats that you want VLC to be the default player for. Click Set as Default to apply your selections.

RCDefaultApp provides a user-friendly interface to manage your default applications.

Method 3: Setting VLC as Default via File Info

This method uses the built-in file properties feature of macOS to set VLC as the default media player for files.

Right-click on a video or movie file in Finder. Select Get Info (Cmd I). Scroll down to the Open with section. Select VLC media player from the dropdown menu. Check the box that says Open all [file type] with VLC. Click Apply or OK.

It may take a few seconds to a few minutes for VLC to convert all video files to open with it. Once it's done, close the Get Info window.

Note: Bear in mind that the third method might not be as comprehensive as the other methods, as it only applies to individual files rather than all files of the same type.

Conclusion

By following these detailed steps, you can easily set VLC as your default media player on macOS. Whether you prefer the manual method, RCDefaultApp, or the file properties approach, each method has its advantages. Choose the one that best suits your workflow and enjoy a seamless multimedia experience with VLC.