Unlocking Customization- A Guide to Changing the Default Video Player on Your Mac

How to Change Default Video Player in Mac

In today’s digital age, having the right video player is essential for enjoying your favorite movies and videos. While macOS comes with a default video player, QuickTime Player, many users prefer to use other third-party applications for a more enhanced viewing experience. Whether you’re looking for a player with advanced features, better performance, or simply a change of pace, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the default video player in Mac.

Step 1: Identify the video player you want to set as default

Before you proceed, make sure you have the video player installed on your Mac. Some popular alternatives to QuickTime Player include VLC Media Player, Elmedia Player, and IINA. Download and install the player of your choice from the official website or the Mac App Store.

Step 2: Open the video player

Launch the video player you want to set as the default. Ensure that the player is running in the background.

Step 3: Open the Terminal

To change the default video player, you need to use the Terminal. Open the Terminal application by searching for it in Spotlight (Cmd + Space) or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Step 4: Use the ‘ defaults write ‘ command

In the Terminal, type the following command, replacing ‘com.apple.quicktimeplayer’ with the bundle identifier of the video player you want to set as default. The bundle identifier can usually be found in the player’s info.plist file or by searching for it online.

“`
defaults write com.apple_finder AppleFinderVideoPlayer com.example.playerbundle
“`

For example, if you want to set VLC Media Player as the default video player, the command would be:

“`
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleFinderVideoPlayer org.videolan.vlc
“`

Step 5: Set the new default player

After entering the command, press Enter. The Terminal will respond with a confirmation message. This indicates that the default video player has been successfully changed.

Step 6: Verify the change

To ensure that the change has taken effect, try opening a video file. The new default video player should automatically open and play the video.

Step 7: Reset to QuickTime Player if needed

If you ever want to revert to QuickTime Player as the default video player, simply follow the same steps, but replace the bundle identifier of the player you want to reset with ‘com.apple.quicktimeplayer’.

By following these simple steps, you can easily change the default video player in your Mac and enjoy a more personalized viewing experience.